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New drug 'soaks up' cancer cells
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Researchers from the United States have developed a unique remedy that will help stop the spread of cancer throughout the body.
The drug has already been tested on laboratory animals and experiments have shown a fairly high efficiency of the new method. The drug acts as a sponge, identifying pathological cells in the blood before they begin to spread from the primary focus and affect other organs.
The discovery was made at Michigan State University and scientists published their findings in one of the world's leading scientific journals (Nature Communications).
Experts explained the principle by which the drug that attracts atypical cells was developed.
It is known that cancer cells do not spread randomly, but move to certain areas of the body (currently the exact principle of such "behavior" of atypical cells is unknown). Taking this feature into account, scientists have developed a kind of bait that attracts leukocytes, and with them cancer cells, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to other organs. Experiments on rodents have shown that the drug reduces the spread of cancer throughout the body by 88%, compared to the control group of rodents.
The new product is made in the form of a small implant (0.5 cm) from biological materials that are approved for use in medical devices. The experiments were conducted on rodents with breast cancer. All the experimental mice were given implants under the skin or in the subcutaneous fat. An immediate immune reaction was observed to the "foreign body" and leukocytes began to accumulate on the surface of the implant, which attracted cancer cells (it is known that atypical cells choose places where leukocytes accumulate). Then the implant absorbed cancer cells that were nearby, preventing them from moving further. The scientists also found that the implant blocked cell growth without damaging adjacent tissues.
The scientific group's future plans include conducting clinical trials involving people. The researchers hope that the new implantable drug, which will be implanted under the skin of patients with breast cancer, will help oncologists detect the disease at early stages, control the course of the disease and prevent recurrent cases of breast cancer, which will significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment. According to the scientists, such technology can also be used on patients who belong to a risk group (genetically predisposed, having close relatives with this pathology, working in hazardous industries, after injuries, etc.).
In addition, a team of scientists from Michigan intends to use this method to treat other types of cancer, such as prostate or thyroid cancer.
Experts note that there will be more opportunities for developing new methods of diagnosing and treating cancerous tumors once it becomes clear why atypical cells move purposefully and affect certain areas of the body.