Researchers at the Boston Children’s Hospital have identified a protein produced by certain tumors that inhibits the spread of cancer, and has the potential to be developed into a cancer treatment.

Currently there is no therapy that has been approved to inhibit the migration of cancer cells from the original site of the cancer.

Researchers have found that metastic tumors prepare landing places for additional cancerous cells in other organs by secreting proteins that encourage tumor growth. This new study now shows non-metastic tumors secrete protein called prosaposin that inhibits metastasis by blocking the growth of blood vessels.

When the protein was tested on mice that had cancerous tumors metastisis was reduced significantly and survival time in the mice increased by 30%.

With no cure having been found for mesothelioma, and most treatments being focused on extending time of survival, one would assume that treating mesothelioma might be a great usage for this protein. To this point ridding someone of mesothelioma isn’t a reality but until that day comes containing the disease caused by asbestos exposure is incredibly important in increasing time of survival. Hopefully this newly found protein will help in containing mesothelioma until we find a cure.