Ovarian cancer, already the deadliest of all gynecological cancers, poses a particularly difficult challenge for doctors due to its tendency to spread rapidly and often before symptoms even appear. Now, scientists are gaining a clearer understanding of how this spread occurs, revealing a surprising alliance between cancer cells and the body’s own protective mechanisms – and identifying potential targets for future therapies.
For many women, ovarian cancer is diagnosed only after it has spread throughout the abdomen. This late-stage diagnosis significantly impacts treatment options and survival rates. Researchers have long known that the omentum – a large, fatty tissue layer that covers the abdominal organs – is a frequent site of metastasis, but the precise mechanisms driving this process remained elusive. Recent research, published in journals including Nature Medicine, sheds light on this critical process.
The key appears to lie in the interaction between ovarian cancer cells and cells lining the abdominal cavity, called mesothelial cells. Studies show that cancer cells don’t simply invade the omentum; they actively recruit the help of these mesothelial cells. Specifically, cancer cells adhere to mesothelial cells, forming what researchers describe as “hybrid spheres.” These spheres then effectively burrow into the surrounding abdominal tissue, facilitating rapid spread.
“Cancer cells (red) stick to mesothelial cells (green) and form hybrid spheres that cut into surrounding abdominal tissue,” explains research published in SciTechDaily, illustrating the process visually. This collaborative behavior allows the cancer to bypass normal defenses and establish a foothold within the abdomen.
Adding another layer to this complex picture is the role of fat cells within the omentum itself. The omentum is extraordinarily rich in lipids, providing a readily available energy source for the spreading cancer cells. Research from the University of Chicago, dating back to , demonstrated that the omentum acts as both a “launching pad” and a fuel source for ovarian cancer metastasis. In experiments with mice, ovarian cancer cells were observed to migrate to the omentum within as little as 20 minutes after being introduced into the abdominal cavity.
“This fatty tissue, which is extraordinarily rich in energy-dense lipids, acts as a launching pad and energy source for the likely lethal spread of ovarian cancer,” said Ernst Lengyel, MD, PhD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago, in a report from UChicago Medicine. “The cells that make up the omentum contain the biological equivalent of jet fuel. They feed the cancer cells, enabling them to multiply rapidly.”
The research also identified specific protein signals emitted by the omentum that attract the tumor cells. Importantly, researchers found that inhibiting these signals could reduce the attraction by at least 50 percent, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue. This finding highlights the possibility of disrupting the communication between the omentum and cancer cells to slow or prevent metastasis.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women, and a significant proportion – around 80 percent – are diagnosed after the cancer has already spread to the omentum, according to reports from The Oncology Nurse. In many cases, the tumors that develop in the omentum actually grow larger than the original ovarian cancer, underscoring the importance of understanding this metastatic process.
Beyond the omentum, researchers are also investigating how ovarian cancer cells spread through the formation of multicellular aggregates (MCAs) within the abdomen and pelvis. Studies are focusing on the relationship between epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells and 3D models of the abdominal wall to better understand the complete process of metastasis, as reported by Today’s Nurse.
While these findings represent a significant step forward in understanding ovarian cancer spread, further research is needed to translate these discoveries into effective treatments. The complex interplay between cancer cells, mesothelial cells, and the omentum presents a challenging but potentially rewarding target for future therapies. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies that can prevent or delay metastasis, improving outcomes for women diagnosed with this devastating disease.
The rapid spread of ovarian cancer remains a critical area of investigation, and these recent discoveries offer a glimmer of hope for more effective prevention and treatment strategies in the future.
