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cancer cells move through the body with tentacles, like a predator hunting prey

university of copenhagen researchers say the discovery sheds light on how disabling the tentacles may slow the spread of the deadly disease.

by chris arnold

published mar 30, 2022

2 minute read

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2 minute read

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cancer cells move through the body with tentacles, like a predator hunting prey

the level of mobility, specifically in twisting, is essential to how the cancer cells move around the body. getty

cancer cells are moving around the body using tentacles, not unlike an octopus, researchers from the university of copenhagen say, pushing towards a target — as if the cells were a predator chasing prey. the researchers published their findings in the journal

nature communications.

“while the cell doesn’t have eyes or a sense of smell, its surface is equipped with ultra-slim filopodia that resemble entangled octopus tentacles,” poul martin bendix, a member of the niels bohr institute, which is affiliated with the study, said in a statement. “these filopodia help a cell move towards a bacterium, and at the same time, act as sensory feelers that identify the bacterium as a prey.”

scientists have known about filopodia for a while —we know they are sensory — but this is the first study on how they are used for movement.

cancer cells are invasive

the researchers say cancer cells are known for being invasive, and that it is understandable to think they are dependent on the tentacles to better understand their surroundings. but it also means that it could be possible to slow the growth of cancer by impeding the tentacles, bendix said.

the tentacles are similar to a rubber band in the way they operate; they have almost no strength when they are limp, but quite strong when they are engaged properly. the cells are able to use this power to propel themselves throughout the body, and can do so directionally.

“they’re able to bend — twist, if you will — in a way that allows them to explore the entire space around the cell, and they can even penetrate tissues in their environment,” lead author of the study natascha leijnse said.

that level of mobility, specifically in twisting, is essential for how the cells are moving around bodies.

the study involved using a multitude of research methods, everything from modelling to simulate the movements of the tentacles that was observed through microscopes, to using laser-guided tweezers to hold onto the cell tentacles.

in canada, approximately 40 per cent of people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, according to a november 2021 report from statistics canada. an estimated 229,000 canadians were diagnosed with cancer last year, and of those, an estimated 84,600 died.

the most common type of cancer diagnosed in canada, as of 2020, is lung cancer, according to statistics canada — which killed an estimated 21,000 canadians in that year.

chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.

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cancer cells move through the body with tentacles, like a predator hunting prey

university of copenhagen researchers say the discovery sheds light on how disabling the tentacles may slow the spread of the deadly disease.

cancer cells are invasive

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cancer cells move through the body with tentacles, like a predator hunting prey

university of copenhagen researchers say the discovery sheds light on how disabling the tentacles may slow the spread of the deadly disease.

cancer cells are invasive

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