Children and adolescents with metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma have a lower survival rate than children and adolescents whose cancer cells remain at the site of the primary tumor. However, a new discovery by researchers from the St. Balderic Foundation and the University of British Columbia offers hope for preventing cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.

Scientists have discovered that when these specific cancer cells circulate in the blood, they will open a protective cover to protect themselves and find new growth locations.

“We found that Ewing’s sarcoma cells can produce an antioxidant response, protect them and allow them to survive the cycle. This is similar to that people in the Arctic must wear a thick coat before going out. If they don’t protect themselves, they are exposed to danger. They may not be able to survive under the harsh conditions,” Say Senior author Dr. Poul Sorensen, a scientist at the BC Cancer Center, and a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of British Columbia.

“The exciting thing about this research is that if we can target circulating cells, then maybe we can prevent metastasis. This is the real big goal of this research.”

Ewing Sarcoma It is an aggressive bone cancer that can be fatal if it is not detected early. The tumor grows in the bones or soft tissues around the bones of the legs, pelvis, ribs, arms, or spine.

When these cancer cells metastasize, they usually spread to the lungs, bones, or bone marrow. Although this condition is very rare—approximately 250 children and young people in the United States are diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma each year—it is the second most common bone cancer in this population.

Although Ewing’s sarcoma is not a hereditary cancer, it does involve chromosomal changes that occur after birth.The child’s own genetic makeup and prenatal development determine whether he or she will have it, according to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The most common symptoms include swelling and soreness around the tumor site, low-grade fever, fatigue, weight loss, bone pain worsening during exercise or at night, and claudication.This challenge In the process of getting a timely diagnosis, these symptoms are usually first attributed to growing pains, infections, or other diseases.

70% of children with this cancer pass Current treatment, Usually chemotherapy first, and then surgery to remove the cancer. However, if it spreads, the survival rate will be less than 30%.

Dr. Sorensen explained that not all cancer cells can metastasize. Previous studies have shown that some tumors may mutate and spread while other tumors will not mutate and spread may have genetic causes.

Where is the research published Cancer discovery Studies have shown that when a naturally occurring gene IL1RAP on the surface of cancer cells is turned on, it allows the cell to create a protective barrier, making it easier to spread.

Dr. Haifeng Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at the BC Cancer Laboratory of Dr. Sorensen from the University of British Columbia, explained that IL1RAP is rarely expressed in normal tissues, so they will be able to develop protein-specific treatments without destroying any non-cancer cells.

Sorensen and Zhang colleagues at the St. Baldrick Foundation and the National Cancer Institute Pediatric Immunotherapy Discovery and Development Network are working on developing antibodies that target IL1RAP.

Dr. Sorenson said that their research shows that these antibodies bind to the outside of the cell and actually kill it. Researchers hope to provide a new immunotherapy method for Ewing’s sarcoma in the next one or two years and prepare for clinical trials.

Other studies are investigating whether other cancer cell types use the same shielding behavior, including acute myeloid leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, central nervous system tumors, and certain types of lung and breast cancer.

Pediatricians urge parents to ensure that their children and adolescents are checked regularly and follow up on any referrals to specialists. Researchers emphasize that when Ewing’s sarcoma is diagnosed early enough, the treatment will be more successful.