In a study published in ‘Nature Genetics’, researchers from the University of Michigan, Department of Neurosurgery, and Rogel Cancer Center found that aggressive tumors contain highly active cells that move throughout the tissue in complicated patterns. The study found that the consistent accumulation of these elongated, spindle-like active cells throughout the tumor determines the behavior of the cancerous cells. This accumulation of active cells is called the onstream. Oncostreams, along with the protein produced by the tumor cells called Collagen 1, facilitate the growth of the tumor and its invasion of normal tissue.

Dr. Pedro Lowenstein, M.D., Ph.D., Richard C. Schneider Collegiate Professor of Neurosurgery and lead author of the study, stated that organized growth of the active cell is the biggest challenge in treating brain tumors. Dr. Pedro and his colleague, Dr. Maria Castro, Ph.D., stated that brain tumors are highly lethal, with less than 5% of patients living beyond five years.

The researcher found that overexpression of collagen 1 was essential for the growth and function of the oncostreams in the tumor. Hence, they removed the oncostreams from tumors, which reduced the aggressive behavior and invasion of tumor cells. Dr. Pedro stated that such structures are likely to be present in other types of cancer too. He also added that dismantling oncostreams through the removal of collagen 1 could represent a novel therapeutic target to treat lethal brain tumors. 

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/how-cells-are-connected-to-brain-tumor-growth-and-recurrence-research-101658717577413.html )