Liver Cells May Hold Key to Blocking Cancer Spread
New Research Reveals Unexpected Role in Metastasis
A surprising discovery from the University of the Basque Country suggests that cells normally dedicated to liver repair can inadvertently fuel the growth of metastatic tumors, offering a potential new target for cancer therapies.
Unexpected Turn for Healing Cells
Researchers have long known that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in liver healing, creating scar tissue to protect against damage from conditions like fibrosis and fatty liver disease. However, a study published in Hepatology Communications reveals a darker side to these cells: they actively promote the development of cancer that has spread to the liver.
As Aitor Benedicto, a researcher specializing in the tumor microenvironment at the University of the Basque Country, explained, when metastatic cells reach the liver, the stellate cells are activated and proliferate; besides secreting collagen, they contribute to the formation of new blood vessels and, as a result of various factors that hamper the body’s defences, contribute to the development of tumor cells.
The team’s experiments on mice demonstrated that eliminating these activated stellate cells dramatically reduced metastasis. This improvement was linked to decreased collagen buildup, blocked blood vessel formation, and a strengthened immune response within the liver, effectively removing a critical support system for the tumor.
Multiple Cancers Affected
Liver metastasis is a common and often deadly complication of several primary cancers, including colon, pancreatic, breast, and melanoma. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 5% of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum in their lifetime (American Cancer Society, 2024). Benedicto and his colleagues are investigating whether the effect observed with stellate cells is consistent across different cancer types.
“We already know that these cells have the ability to promote the development of metastasis. Now,”
—Aitor Benedicto, Researcher
Initial studies with colon cancer and melanoma have shown a similar response, suggesting the liver’s reaction—or the stellate cells themselves—respond in the same way regardless of the originating cancer. The researchers are now focusing on pancreatic cancer to confirm these findings.
Unlocking New Treatment Strategies
The research team is now analyzing the specific proteins expressed by stellate cells and surrounding tissues when metastasis develops. By identifying these changes, they hope to pinpoint potential targets for new therapies designed to disrupt the tumor’s support network. Benedicto stated, We eliminated the support that the metastatic tumor had.
Benedicto expressed optimism about the potential for future breakthroughs, noting, We’ve got some nice results. Although there is still a long way to go, the results achieved are hugely significant. We are closer to a cure than ever.
He also highlighted the existing research aimed at deactivating stellate cells in the context of liver diseases, suggesting a possible synergy between these efforts and the new findings.
