Tumor-causing cells are more flexible than benign cells. Benign cells have a cytoskeleton made up of rod-shaped protiens. Researchers think in the haste of attempting to divide quickly, cancerous cells do not bother developing a cytoskeleton, and instead continue to divide.
The resulting "squishiness" is what researchers at The Methodist Hospital have taken advantage of and have designed a tool around this characteristic. Because benign cells are rigid, they are not able to pass through a 7 micrometer hole. The flexible cancerous cells are able to squeeze through this barrier, resulting in a separation of benign and cancerous cells.
Furthermore, tests performed on the separated cancerous cells have found that these are less likely to have a cytoskeleton and more likely to have a motility gene. This could explain why some cancers metastasize. Being able to test for cells that are metastic helps doctors determine the success of a cancer treatment or if a cancer will spread.
For more information and the full article, visit http://www.aalatimes.com/2012/11/05/new-tool-separates-tumour-causing-cancer-cells-from-more-benign-cells/
The resulting "squishiness" is what researchers at The Methodist Hospital have taken advantage of and have designed a tool around this characteristic. Because benign cells are rigid, they are not able to pass through a 7 micrometer hole. The flexible cancerous cells are able to squeeze through this barrier, resulting in a separation of benign and cancerous cells.
Furthermore, tests performed on the separated cancerous cells have found that these are less likely to have a cytoskeleton and more likely to have a motility gene. This could explain why some cancers metastasize. Being able to test for cells that are metastic helps doctors determine the success of a cancer treatment or if a cancer will spread.
For more information and the full article, visit http://www.aalatimes.com/2012/11/05/new-tool-separates-tumour-causing-cancer-cells-from-more-benign-cells/
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