Lymphoma Cells Create Favorable Environment For Themselves.

Scientists at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine have discovered that lymphoma cancer cells work to create a more favorable environment for themselves when they disperse. Like all cells, cancer cells need a constant supply of nutrients.  The reseach revealed that lymphoma cells can be lead to lymph nodes or spleen, areas rich in nutrients, by signals received through a type of cellular antenna, a cell surface protein called CCR7.  When the cells are in the lymph nodes , they begin to communicate with other cells in the area, providing them with additional support.  The discovery of these communication networks opens up the possibility of new drug targets.