Our colleagues in RCSI have revealed a novel link that might help breast cancer cells to cross the endothelium. In a recent article in JTH led by Sukhraj Dhami from Jamie O'Sullivan's group, they showed that tumor cells secrete substances that activate endothelial cells, leading to a widening of gaps between endothelial cells and to the release of large von Willebrand factor strings which are then used by cancer cells to adhere to the endothelium under flow. This article is quickly gaining attention, check it out!
