Scientists Develop Innovative Model to Monitor and Study Sarcomas
Scientists at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have created a groundbreaking experimental model to track the growth and spread of sarcomas. This significant breakthrough also enables researchers to test various methods to slow down these tumors and control their progression.
A complex and aggressive pathology According to the researchers at the Institute, sarcomas are rare but extremely aggressive tumors that develop in bones, muscles, and adipose and vascular tissues. Their danger lies in their exceptional growth rate and early ability to metastasize, while current treatments often show limited effectiveness.
The report highlights that 80% of these tumors form in soft tissues, compared to 20% in bones, making it one of the most complex types of cancer to treat. Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is one of the most feared forms, with a five-year survival rate of less than 50%.
A cutting-edge technology without heavy animal experimentation The model relies on the use of the chorioallantoic membrane of a chicken embryo. This support provides a perfectly simulated living tissue environment to study tumor development with precision. By combining this method with high-resolution fluorescence imaging techniques, scientists can observe cellular proliferation and metastasis formation from the early stages, avoiding lengthy and complex animal experiments.
The results obtained show that sarcomas heavily depend on the vascular growth factor VEGFA to feed and progress. Inhibiting this factor has significantly slowed down tumor growth and reduced metastasis propagation, opening the door to a promising therapeutic option for the future.
A versatile tool for tomorrow's oncology The research team concludes that this experimental model represents a fast and effective tool for testing anticancer medications. Although initially developed for sarcomas, this device could be extended to study other severe pathologies, such as lung or breast cancer, accelerating the discovery of new treatments.
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