A discovery that redefines medical understanding
A groundbreaking study conducted by experts from Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Leviev Cardiothoracic and Vascular Center at Sheba Medical Center in Israel has shed light on a surprising connection between heart disease and the development of cancer.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that increases the risk of cancer among patients suffering from heart problems. This mechanism involves the release of tiny extracellular bubbles, known as sEVs, by the affected heart, which when released into the bloodstream promote the growth of cancer cells in different parts of the body.
A promising advance for treatment
This discovery, published in the journal Circulation, has the potential to transform therapeutic approaches for heart disease, while highlighting the importance of considering the increased risk of cancer in these patients.
Professor Jonathan Leor, leader of the study, together with his team, has shown that sEVs released by a diseased heart contain a wide range of growth factors and molecules that promote cell division, both for the healing of damaged heart tissue and for promoting tumor growth in other organs.
Future perspectives
Although this finding raises new questions about the relationship between heart disease and cancer, it also offers potential therapeutic strategies. The researchers suggest that reducing the release of sEVs could be a way to reduce the risk of cancer in these patients.
However, the path to effective therapy is not simple. Although inhibition of sEV production shows benefits in reducing cancer risk, it carries unwanted side effects. In this sense, the use of drugs such as spironolactone could offer a viable alternative by reducing the production of sEVs without the adverse effects associated with other therapies.
Conclusions and future challenges
This pioneering study highlights the need for greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms linking heart disease and cancer. As researchers continue to explore this connection, it is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies that address both heart disease and cancer risk comprehensively.
