Finland’s University of Turku researchers have developed a fluorescent probe for visualising the signalling dynamics in cancer cells that move, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues for breast cancer treatment.

The team, spearheaded by Dr James Conway and Professor Johanna Ivaska, used this new visualisation tool, named Illusia, to uncover a potential therapeutic target for limiting the spread of this cancer in a study.

According to the university, individuals with breast cancer who face a transition from premalignant ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive ductal carcinoma experience poor prognosis, with metastatic disease being seemingly incurable.

The protein phosphatase SHP-2, referred to as ‘Ship two’ by the team, has been identified as a crucial regulator of metastasis by influencing cancer cell interactions with surrounding tissues.

This discovery has implications that extend beyond breast cancer, potentially enhancing the knowledge of cancer cell invasion from solid tumours broadly.

Conway noted that the team has crafted probes that are colour-based to monitor various events within living cells. However, a cell-dynamics reporter was unprecedented, changing their understanding of what sorts of signalling were required for the movement of the cell.

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Conway said: “Signalling networks inside cells control everything from growth to movement, but visualising this in living cells requires new and refined methods.

“I set out to see these invisible signals and came up with a new tool, which we call Illusia, to do just that.”

Ivaska, meanwhile, who is also the project’s principal investigator, is a research group leader at the InFLAMES Flagship, which is a joint initiative between the university and Åbo Akademi University.

Ivaska said: “Our research finds that drugs currently in clinical trials for blocking growth in other tumour types may also be effective in blocking breast cancer spread.”

This March, the University of Turku’s researchers announced the development of sensors from single-wall carbon nanotubes, which could be used for continuous health monitoring.

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