Barcelona (Spain), 2 sep (EFE).-Spanish researchers have discovered that cancerous tumors change aspect because it shut down a few molecular switches called microARNS-200s, which are responsible for maintaining the appearance of epithelial cells.

Scientists of the Institute de Investigación Biomédica of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), with headquarters in Barcelona, directed by Manel Esteller, head of the programme of Epigenetics and cancer biology, are responsible for the discovery this week that publishes the scientific journal Oncogene, of the Group Nature.

Researchers have discovered that some microARNs of the group called microARNs-200S, suffer a chemical inactivation for which it no longer express themselves and not be present, tumor cells change, stretch, are no longer inhibited and the tumour progresses.

According to Esteller, the results of research show that this is a very dynamic process and that change happens from the appearance of the tumor until the emergence of metastases.

The scientist noted, however, if environmental conditions affecting these cells are changed, the process is reversed.

The study has been primarily in breast and colon tumors, and in addition to serving to learn more about the disease, the results are important because they allow to predict that it is possible to speak externally in the process.

Using pharmacological treatments could reverse the process and move is very evolved to a more primitive tumor that would be associated with less progression of the disease.

Tumor cells shed skin, because the cancer is not a static condition but in development builds up transformations to evade the body’s natural defenses, adapt to the new environment, protect the chemotherapy and radiotherapy and progress to metastases.

From the IDIBELL recalls that he knew little about the mechanisms involved in tumor changes, and that there is a particularly intriguing way in which the tumor initially presents a solid state, acceded to the nearby cells (epithelial) and becomes a more liquid mass up annexes fabrics and more flexible (mesenchymal). EFE