ADVERTISEMENT
Colorful blue and pink low poly side view human brain illustration with connection dots isolated on bright blue background
Cancer Cells Need Fatty Acids to Survive in the Brain
Using a mouse model of breast cancer brain metastasis, researchers showed that tumor cells require fatty acid synthesis to grow, which offers a potential therapeutic target.
Cancer Cells Need Fatty Acids to Survive in the Brain
Cancer Cells Need Fatty Acids to Survive in the Brain

Using a mouse model of breast cancer brain metastasis, researchers showed that tumor cells require fatty acid synthesis to grow, which offers a potential therapeutic target.

Using a mouse model of breast cancer brain metastasis, researchers showed that tumor cells require fatty acid synthesis to grow, which offers a potential therapeutic target.

metastasis

Genetic engineering and digital technology concept.
A Machine Learning Tool Uncloaks the Hidden Sources of Cancer Cells
Rachael Moeller Gorman | Oct 5, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers created a model that uses clinical testing data to locate the primary site of cancer cells with no known origin, likely improving survival.
A colored microscopy image of a dividing breast cancer cell
Transfer RNAs Have a Surprising Role in Breast Cancer Growth
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Jan 5, 2023 | 4 min read
A particular leucine-ferrying tRNA is more abundant in cancerous cells than healthy ones, and lowering its levels inhibits cancer growth, a study finds.
Best of Cancer Research
The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read
This collection of articles from The Scientist explores some of the latest cancer research!
A collection of images from prior stories, including illustrations of DNA, chromosomes, and various cells, microscopy images of cancer cells, and a photo of a mouse on a treadmill.
Our Favorite Cancer Stories of 2022
Dan Robitzski | Dec 27, 2022 | 4 min read
This year, cancer researchers uncovered a variety of ways that tumors can survive and spread, ranging from damaging their own DNA to exploiting the nearby microenvironment for nutrients.
illustration of cancer cells moving
Cancer Cells Gather Speed in Thicker Fluids
Holly Barker, PhD | Nov 22, 2022 | 4 min read
Viscous solutions accelerate the migration of tumor cells and may enable metastasis, according to a new study.
The Scientist Speaks Podcast – Episode 6
The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read
A Game of Cancer and Evolution
fluorescently labeled microscopy cross-section of bone
Cancer Cells in Mice May Hitch a Ride with Bone-Healing Stem Cells
Andy Carstens | Nov 7, 2022 | 4 min read
Researchers have long observed a connection between bone metastasis and remodeling, which might be due to a close connection between the two cell types. 
A purple-stained section of an invasive breast cancer growth. The dark purple non-fatty tissue takes up the majority of the frame, and pale purple circular tumors grow in ducts in the bottom left.
Harboring Hard and Soft Cells Lets Tumors Grow and Metastasize Simultaneously
Katherine Irving | Oct 17, 2022 | 4 min read
Islands of rigid cells within a matrix of soft ones allow tumors to be both solid and fluid, granting them toughness without losing the ability to break apart.
jigsaw puzzle with magnifying glass over the word "metastasis" 
Breast Cancer Cells Retrain T Cells to Invade Specific Tissues
Nele Haelterman, PhD | Sep 26, 2022 | 3 min read
Scientists discover tumor-associated T cells that drive breast cancer metastasis to lymph nodes.
An illustration of a mitochondrion, represented by a purple and orange bilayer, synthesizing reddish molecules of ATP.

Mitochondrial Protein Fuels Spread of Head and Neck Cancer 

Patience Asanga | Jul 8, 2022 | 3 min read
Head and neck cancer cells lacking the peptide involved in energy production were less likely to metastasize in mice.
Artist’s rendition of metastatic cancer cells with yellow nuclei and green cell bodies extending into blue tendrils.
While the Body Rests, Breast Cancer Spreads More Aggressively
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Jun 23, 2022 | 4 min read
More cancer cells are shed from primary tumors when individuals are asleep than when they’re awake, according to observations in mouse models and a small cohort of breast cancer patients.
Dark red cancer cells travel through the circulatory system alongside small, brighter-colored red blood cells
Traversing Narrow Channels Helps Metastatic Cancer Cells Survive
Dan Robitzski | Apr 14, 2022 | 4 min read
In vitro and mouse experiments show how cancer cells forced through tiny pores—mimicking the physical experience of metastasis—resisted programmed cell death and avoided detection by the immune cells that would normally kill them.
illustration of a blood vessel
Bacteria in Tumors Promote Metastasis in Mice
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Apr 7, 2022 | 3 min read
Microbes living inside cancer cells may help them spread to distant sites by enhancing the cells’ resistance to mechanical stress, a study shows.
Diffuse star-like shapes with regions in purple, green, and both colors overlapped.
Tumor Cells on Brink of Death May Trigger Metastasis
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Mar 25, 2022 | 5 min read
A new study reports that human colon cancer cells at imminent risk of death can instead develop characteristics needed to colonize new parts of the body.
A stained tissue sample of metastatic pancreatic cancer
Tetanus Immunity Protects Mice Against Pancreatic Cancer
Amanda Heidt | Mar 24, 2022 | 3 min read
Because most people are vaccinated against tetanus as children, delivering benign bacteria carrying a tetanus antigen into pancreatic tumors makes them visible to memory cells in the immune system, researchers report.
illustration of blue cancer cell extending tendrils around itself
Janus-Faced Neutrophils
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Mar 2, 2022 | 4 min read
The immune cells facilitate healing, but they may also help tumors metastasize to the lungs after injury, a study in mice finds.
Conceptual image showing fragmented X chromosomes
How Chaos in Chromosomes Helps Drive Cancer Spread
Samuel F. Bakhoum | Mar 1, 2022 | 10+ min read
A new link between inflammation and rampant chromosomal abnormalities reveals novel strategies to treat diverse malignancies.
Infographic showing how bursting micronuclei promote cancer
Infographic: Chromosome Errors Cause Micronuclei and Drive Cancer
Samuel F. Bakhoum | Mar 1, 2022 | 2 min read
When micronuclei rupture, chromosomes break, recombine, and form circles, causing inflammation and promoting carcinogenic growth.
Scientific illustration of a migrating breast cancer cell.
Breast Cancer Cells Churn Out Cholesterol to Fuel Metastasis
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Feb 4, 2022 | 4 min read
A study uncovers a novel connection between the biomolecule and cancer progression.
ADVERTISEMENT