Results about: fat

A study at IRB Barcelona has identified the cells responsible for initiating and promoting metastasis in several types of human tumours.

Their results show that the protein CD36, which absorbs fat from the cell membrane, is an essential factor that determines whether tumour cells become metastatic.

In the absence of CD36, the human tumours analysed did not develop metastasis. In addition, the inhibition of this protein also dramatically reduced the size of existing metastases.

Mice given a high-fat diet developed the most aggressive metastases. The study reports that the metastatic process is enhanced by fat intake.

IRB Barcelona will co-develop antibodies against CD36 with the potential to treat patients.