Nature: neurons actually promote the growth of brain tumor cells!

September 24, 2019 / Biovalley BIOON / - -- in a new study, researchers from the University of Heidelberg and other research institutions in Germany describe how neurons in the brain connect with aggressive glioblastoma to trigger tumor growth This new tumor activation mechanism provides a starting point for clinical trials The relevant research results were published online in the nature Journal on September 18, 2019 The paper title is "glutamatic synthetic input to glioma cells drives brain tumour progress" Neurons (blue) play an astonishing role in the ability of certain cancers to hold their feet in the brain The picture is from Daniel schroen / cell applications Inc / science photo library Neurons transmit their signals to each other through synapses - structures that transmit the impulses of one neuron to the cells of another Now, these researchers have found that neurons in the brain also form such direct intercellular contact with tumor cells in aggressive glioblastoma, which transmits nerve impulses to cancer cells As Frank Winkler, Thomas Kuner and their team found with special imaging methods, tumors benefit from this "input": these activation signals may be the driving force for tumor growth and tumor cell infiltration into healthy brain tissue But there is also good news: in animal experiments, certain substances can block this signal transmission The network structure of neurons and tumor cells glioblastoma invades healthy brain in the same way as fungal network As a result, they cannot be removed completely by surgery, and they can survive in intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy Therefore, glioblastoma is one of the most dangerous tumors in human beings; the average survival time after initial diagnosis is 15 months In 2015, a research team led by Frank Winkler has found the reason for this cancer resistance treatment: glioblastoma cells are connected to each other through longer cell processes They communicate through these connections and exchange substances related to their survival to protect themselves from treatment-related damage Winkler explained that the findings of the current new study help us further understand this type of cancer: "these tumor cells are not only connected to each other like neurons in the brain; they also receive signals directly from them." The researchers observed the growth of human glioblastomas that had been transplanted into mice and studied in vitro cultures of human neurons and tumor cells as well as tissue samples from patients To do this, they used a series of modern microscopic methods to provide detailed three-dimensional images of synaptic connections (only micrometers in size) between neurons and tumor cells, and to show their molecular structure and intracellular signals Electrical recording from tumor cells reveals the current generated by synaptic connections, which forms the starting point for further processing of these signals in tumor cells Thomas Kuner added, "we can confirm that signaling from neurons to tumor cells does work like stimulating synapses between neurons This research project begins with observation in basic research By working closely with our clinical partners, this conceptually creates new insights that will allow the development of new therapies through targeted translational research " It is a fatal mechanism, but it has opened up a new way for the development of new therapies How exactly does gliomas fine activation lead to increased tumor growth and their infiltration into healthy areas of the brain remains to be elucidated However, it is clear that this mechanism can be blocked in animals Possible treatments include a significant reduction in brain activity (such as under general anesthesia), interruption of drug interventions that combine neurotransmitters with AMPA receptors, or a genetic engineering blockade of AMPA receptors In all of these cases, the spread of tumors in animal experiments slowed Winkler stressed, "therefore, this mechanism is very important for drug development and future drug treatment In fact, there are suitable drugs that block AMPA receptor and are approved to treat other nervous system diseases These substances are expected to be used in clinical trials " Wolfgang wick, co-author of the paper and medical director of the Department of Neurology at Heidelberg University Hospital, commented, "these new results show not only what makes glioblastomas so aggressive, but also how they might be prevented In terms of transformation, this is highly significant and paves the way for clinical research " (BIOON Com) reference: 1 Varun venkataramani et al, glutamatergic synthetic input to glioma cells drives brain tumour progress Nature, 2019, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1564-x 2 Heidi Ledford Cancer cells have 'unsetting' ability to hijack the brain's nerves Nature, 2019, doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02792-1 3.Andres Barria Dangerous liaisons as tumour cells form synapses with neurons Nature, 2019, doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02746-7 4.Neurons promote growth of brain tumor cells https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-neurons-growth-brain-tumor-cells.html