Zurich researchers discover central driver of cancers

The team from the University of Zurich has identified a signaling pathway that converts cells into aggressive tumor cells. The discovery by Zurich researchers could help in the early detection of cancer. The signaling pathway controls the transformation of the uppermost cell layer of skin and mucous membranes, the so-called epithelial cells. As the cancer progresses, the cells start their own programme and become invasive, the University of Zurich announced on Wednesday. The discovery of this signaling pathway could help in the early detection and treatment of patients with skin, colon, bladder and oesophageal cancer. "Our results suggest that targeting the cancer-specific arm of TNF-α signaling could be a promising approach for the treatment of patients with epithelial cancers," said team leader Ataman Sendöl from the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The cancer-specific TNF-α signaling program correlates with the aggressiveness of the tumors: the more active it is, the lower ...