Are CCL2 inhibitors the key to ending the spread of cancer? Image courtesy of PubMed
Interview with Lead Author Dr. Dan Theodorescu
Decoded Science interviewed lead author Dr. Dan Theodorescu, Ph.D. about the study.
Decoded Science: What made you check the link between RhoGDI2 and metastasizing cancer cells?
Dr. Theodorescu: We discovered RhoGDI2 as a metastasis suppressor through analysis of human tumors and cancer cell lines.
Decoded Science: What was the most surprising aspect of your results?
Dr. Theodorescu: That RhoGDI2 suppressed metastasis not by affecting the cancer cell growth directly but rather by regulating stimulators of cancer cell growth such as microphages that are part of the patient’s immune system.
Decoded Science: What is the most important result of this study?
Dr. Theodorescu: Discovery of a new mechanism of metastasis suppression: via blocking macrophages infiltrating tumors.
Treating Cancer With CCL2 Inhibitors
According to Dr. Theodorescu, the use of CCL2 inhibitors “could have a major impact on many cancers, starting with bladder cancer.” Since CCL2 inhibitors are already in clinical trials, their path to approval as a cancer treatment may be shorter. Until then, research will continue.
Resources:
Sundem, G. Major study stops bladder cancer from metastasizing to lungs. (2012). University of Colorado Cancer Center. Accessed March 12, 2012.
Baeck, C., Wehr, C., Karlmark, K., Heymann, F., Vucur, M., Gassler, N., Huss, S., Klussmann, S., Eulberg, D., Luedde, T., Trautwein, C., Tacke, F. Pharmacological inhibition of the chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1) diminishes liver macrophage infiltration and steatohepatitis in chronic hepatic injury. (2011). Gut. Accessed March 12, 2012.
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