Research is constantly being done on possible treatment strategies for different forms of cancer; there are many patient populations that face an unmet need. Currently, a team of researchers from the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has been focusing in on a possible method to discover therapies for peritoneal carcinomatosis.
About the Study
To fully understand this study, we’re going to utilize a concept in which cancer is compared to a seed that spreads throughout the soil, which symbolizes various organ surfaces. Essentially, this ‘seed’ grows and spreads throughout the ‘soil’ through complex bodily interactions.
In the past, treatment has targeted this seed directly. Chemotherapy is the perfect example. Then, about a decade ago, immunotherapy entered the game to target the soil. It changes the soil by employing the immune system to attack cancerous cells. Now, the NCCS study has identified a possible new strategy: targeting the ‘water.’
The theory goes like this: by focusing on the ‘water,’ they could create a dry, inhospitable environment for tumor growth. You’re probably asking an important question: what is the water? Well, the team of researchers discovered that excess fluid in the abdomen – called ascites – can actually be targeted and removed. This is the ‘water,’ and targeting it can remove the fuel that allows for cancer growth.
The team then went on to further analyze this ‘water,’ looking deeper into the proteins within. They found that plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is a good indicator of direct inhibition, and it holds the potential to curb the proliferation of cancer cells. Upon further research, researchers discovered three more biomarkers that would aid in predicting patient outcomes.
You can find the full study in Cell Reports Medicine.
Looking Forward
The next step is to take what was learned in this research and apply it to possible treatments for peritoneal carcinomatosis. As this patient population faces an unmet need, these findings could represent a large step forward in filling that need.
About Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a rare form of metastatic intra-abdominal cancer. Tumors form in the peritoneum, which is the layer of tissue lining the abdomen and most abdominal organs. This causes symptoms such as:
- Stomach pain
- Swelling in the abdomen that causes discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain without a known cause
- Extreme fatigue
- Swollen ankles
- Breathing problems
- Nausea
- Constipation
You can find the source article here.
