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Blood Vessels Help To Destroy Tumors

Researchers have discovered that a specific type of BLOOD VEDDEL known as High Endothelial Venules (HEVs) help to destroy tumors by providing a pathway for IMMUNE SYSTEM cells to enter into and terminate tumors. They found that the presence of large numbers of white blood cells known as killer lymphocytes in breast cancer cells was linked to the presence of large numbers of HEVs in those cells. It was also discovered that breast cancer patients with large numbers of HEVs tend to be more likely to recover from the disease.
HEVs are normally found in lymph nodes where they help to enable lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, Killer cells) in the blood to enter lymph nodes. According to the researchers, in order for tumor cells to be destroyed and breast cancer disease eradicated, large numbers of killer lymphocytes must be in contact with the tumor cells. HEVs make this possible as killer lymphocytes travel through HEV vessels to gain access to tumors. In further studies, the role of HEVs in other types of cancers, including colon and ovarian cancers, are being examined. The ultimate goal of this research is to increase the numbers of killer lymphocytes in cancer cells in an attempt to eradicate the disease.