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Published online 12 June 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.887

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Cancer reveals cruel trick

Some tumours may stimulate the growth of distant cancers within the body.

Heidi Ledford

Some cancers can release a protein that awakens dormant cancer cells throughout the body, studies in mice suggest. The discovery could help doctors understand and prevent the spread of cancers through the body.

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  • i,DR PC ANILA would like to enquire if a drug is created against osteopontin wouldnt it affect the osteogenesis,dentinogenesis where osteopontin forms a major part of the non collagenous proteins

    • 16 Jun, 2008
    • Posted by: anila namboodiripad

  • The experiment model is very tricky, I have to say. I am wondering whether the responder tumors would have the same effects on the instigator tumor cells? It is unlikely the same case in the human cancers.

    • 17 Jun, 2008
    • Posted by: shensi shen