Cancer cells separated from normal cells

Northwestern University researchers said the vast majority of cancer deaths are due to metastasis, the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Scientists are hoping to learn to control the movements of such dangerous cells.

The Northwestern University researchers have demonstrated a simple method that can direct and separate cancer cells from normal cells. Based on that method, they have proposed that cancer cells possibly could be sequestered permanently in a sort of "cancer trap" made of implantable and biodegradable materials.

"We have demonstrated a principle that offers an unconventional way to fight metastasis, a very different approach from other methods, such as chemotherapy," said Associate Professor Bartosz Grzybowski, the study's senior author. "These are fundamental studies so the method needs to be optimized, but the idea has promise for a new approach to cancer therapy."

Details of the research appear online in the journal Nature Physics.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.