A team of researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Trieste, Italy, has provided a scientific explanation for one of the most baffling medical mysteries: why does the heart rarely develop cancer and experience the spread of cancer cells?
Continuous Movement is a Protective Shield for the Heart Against Cancer
The study, recently published in the scientific journal Science, revealed that continuous contractile movement and mechanical pressure resulting from blood pumping are the main reasons behind the heart's immunity to tumors.
Professor Thomas Eschenhagen, head of the Center for Experimental Medicine in Hamburg, explained that the heart, unlike other muscles in the body, can never relax, as this is incompatible with sustaining life.
To prove this hypothesis, the Italian team conducted crucial experiments on mice, implanting a dormant "second heart" that did not perform a pumping function, and then injected tumor cells into the body.
The results were astounding; experiments showed that the normally beating heart recorded almost no tumor growth, while cancer cells completely took over the implanted heart that was in a state of rest. These experiments proved that a resting state makes cardiac tissue vulnerable to disease, while continuous pumping acts as a barrier that stops tumor growth.
Comparing the Heart and Lungs: How Does "Positive Pressure" Prevent Cancer Cell Growth?
The study compared the heart and lungs, noting that the lungs are more susceptible to cancer due to the nature of their pressure. Breathing relies on an alternation between negative and normal pressure, unlike the heart, which is under constant "positive pressure."
Experts believe this discovery could represent an important step in understanding the relationship between organ movement and cancer growth, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies in the coming years.
Researchers have been able to identify the proteins and biological processes that contribute to providing natural protection for the heart against cancer. Work is currently underway to test the possibility of using "mechanical pressure" as a new tool in combating various types of cancerous tumors, opening the door to developing new treatments in the future.
