The work, recently published in prestigious scientific journal PNAS, also shows that this molecule, which is transported by extracellular vesicles produced by tumor cells, directs these vesicles to the liver and lung, precisely the organs where it is common for stomach cancer metastases to appear. With these discoveries, the team contributed to the understanding of a new communication mechanism of tumor cells, thus identifying a potential new goal in developing targeted therapies to stop metastasis.

Since 1999, 11th May has been in the medical calendar as European Melanoma Day (or simply ‘Euromelanoma’). Originating in Belgium, 24 countries now participate in this campaign, which highlights the importance of preventative action, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment in the battle against skin cancer.

Interview with Henrique Nabais and Filipa Silva on the occasion of World Ovarian Cancer Day, celebrated on May 8th. 

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most frequent cancer and the seventh most prevalent cause of death by cancer in women. In Portugal, in 2020, 560 new cases were diagnosed, and 408 deaths occurred, proving that this relatively rare cancer is highly lethal.

Maria (fictional name) has a scheduled surgical intervention to remove a malignant tumour from one of her breasts. She is the pre-op room, waiting to go into the OR, where the surgery will be performed under general anaesthetics. No wonder she feels anxious, her heart beats very fast, and she is unable to think about anything else right now. Her blood pressure is also going up.