A new study carried out by a research team at the University of Sheffield in the UK has revealed the survival mechanism of some invasive cancer cells in environments where nutritional supply is limited. The findings may provide new targets for improving the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments. The research team recently released a press release. The researchers focused on analyzing aggressive breast cancer and pancreatic cancer with a dense scar-like extracellular matrix in the surrounding area. This scar-like structure restricts blood and nutrient delivery, yet these tumors can continue to grow. The study found that type I collagen, the main component of the extracellular matrix, helps cancer cells adapt to this harsh environment of poor nutrition. In some breast and pancreatic cancers, the extracellular matrix accounts for 90% of tumor mass. Research shows that when glucose levels, which are the main source of energy for cells, decrease, type I collagen in the extracellular matrix triggers related signals to enable cancer cells to absorb important amino acids needed to maintain their growth and survival. This process relies on a transporter called LAT1, which acts like an internal delivery system to transport amino acids to cancer cells. Cell model experiments have shown that blocking LAT1 and interfering with the interaction between cancer cells and collagen can cause cancer cells to lack key nutrients. The relevant paper has been published in the US “Public Library of Science · Biology” journal. Elena Reinero, the main author of the paper and senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield, said that if this collagen-driven survival mechanism can be blocked, it may not only slow the growth and spread of cancer cells, but also increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to existing treatments such as chemotherapy. This will help reduce drug dosage, reduce serious side effects, and improve treatment effectiveness.

A new study carried out by a research team at the University of Sheffield in the UK has revealed the survival mechanism of some invasive cancer cells in environments where nutritional supply is limited. The findings may provide new targets for improving the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments. The research team recently released a press release. The researchers focused on analyzing aggressive breast cancer and pancreatic cancer with a dense scar-like extracellular matrix in the surrounding area. This scar-like structure restricts blood and nutrient delivery, yet these tumors can continue to grow. The study found that type I collagen, the main component of the extracellular matrix, helps cancer cells adapt to this harsh environment of poor nutrition. In some breast and pancreatic cancers, the extracellular matrix accounts for 90% of tumor mass. Research shows that when glucose levels, which are the main source of energy for cells, decrease, type I collagen in the extracellular matrix triggers related signals to enable cancer cells to absorb important amino acids needed to maintain their growth and survival. This process relies on a transporter called LAT1, which acts like an internal delivery system to transport amino acids to cancer cells. Cell model experiments have shown that blocking LAT1 and interfering with the interaction between cancer cells and collagen can cause cancer cells to lack key nutrients. The relevant paper has been published in the US “Public Library of Science · Biology” journal. Elena Reinero, the main author of the paper and senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield, said that if this collagen-driven survival mechanism can be blocked, it may not only slow the growth and spread of cancer cells, but also increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to existing treatments such as chemotherapy. This will help reduce drug dosage, reduce serious side effects, and improve treatment effectiveness.