Compound prevents tumour metastasis in mice

Belgium researchers have pinpointed a family of pharmaceutical compounds that can prevent the appearance of human tumour metastasis in mice.

The process of metastasis, where tumour cells transform into an aggressive form of cancer, was encouraged by clinically altering the functioning of a cell’s “power station” (mitochondria). When metastasis took place in this way, more free radicals (superoxide) were produced and their overproduction led to the growth of a tumour.

The MitoTEMPO was found to be effective in blocking the formation of human tumour metastasis in mice. Further studies may aim to validate a treatment against tumour metastasis.