New Animal Model to Understand Metastasis in Bone Cancer

A modified version of an orthotopic model that allows researchers to recreate more closely the metastatic steps in Ewing sarcoma (ES), has been developed by the Sarcoma research group of Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), led by Dr. Martnez-Tirado. //

This new model has been used for the first time as part of the team's latest work, published in Oncotarget, which provides new insights into metastatic processes in ES, and may become a valuable experimental tool to analyze metastatic potential in different kinds of sarcomas.

Bone Cancer - Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Health Tips
Find the facts of bone cancer including types of bone cancer, symptoms, causes, treatment, diagnosis and more information.

‘Ewing sarcoma is a bone and soft tissue sarcoma affecting mostly children and young adults. It is very aggressive and highly metastatic; approximately, one third of ES patients present metastasis at diagnosis, being lung and bone marrow the most common sites.’

Tweet it Now

"We believe that this orthotopic model recapitulates more closely the metastatic steps in ES as the primary tumor grows in its natural environment" explains Dr Martnez-Tirado. Orthotopic models are based on the implantation of tumor cells directly into the organ of origin, which allows interaction between these cells and the surrounding host tissues.

In this case, ES cells were injected into the calf muscles of the mouse, and once the tumor reached a certain volume, the muscles were surgically resected. "This procedure involves a low-aggressive surgery that allows the survival of the mice with a normal mouse life for a period long enough for the development of distant metastases", says the researcher.

Orthotopic models are considered more clinically relevant and better predictive models, as it has been shown that the interaction of tumor cells with its natural environment affects their growth, differentiation, and drug sensitivity. Moreover, injected tumor cells can spread to metastatic sites in other organs, with specificities comparable to the human situation.

Osteosarcoma - Predisposing Factors Symptoms Signs Diagnosis Treatment
Osteosarcoma is a primary cancer of the bone which targets adolescents most commonly and mainly affects the areas around the knee, shoulder and hip joint.

"Thanks to this approach, we were able to identify how the CAV1 protein regulates a pro-metastatic pathway in ES and the role of the RPS6 and RSK1 proteins as key nodes of this process. ES patients could potentially benefit from these findings."

"The treatment and prognosis of patients are determined among other factors by the presence of these metastases. Therefore, a full comprehensive understanding of ES metastatic process is mandatory to develop novel therapeutic strategies. That is why this in vivo orthotopic animal model may be an extremely useful asset to study metastases not only in ES but in other sarcomas too" Martnez-Tirado concludes.

Novel Agent Stops the Spread of Deadly Childhood Bone Cancer
Researchers have discovered an agent that prevent osteosarcoma - bone cancer in children from spreading to the lungs.

Source-Eurekalert

Therapy That Destroys Bone Tumors Eases Pain
Cancer patients that has spread to their bones are often treated with radiation therapy to reduce pain. But if that treatment doesn't work, or can't be used again, a second, effective option now exists.