Tumor cell identity influenced by location and environment, say researchers.
Researchers at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) have found that a cell's location and environment in a cancerous tumor can strongly influence which genes are active and the cell's role in the cancer's biology. The team used 3-D models of ovarian cancer tumors to show differences in gene activity based on where a cell is in a tumor. The approach could provide insights into cancer progression and treatment response, leading to more precise therapies. The SEEP method revealed that tumor cells near the tumor surface were more likely to undergo cell division than cells closer to the tumor center.