Researchers from the Leviev Cardiothoracic Vascular Center at Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center have discovered a mechanism responsible for the increased risk of developing cancer in patients with heart disease. It is secreted by the diseased heart and released into the bloodstream to heal, and it promotes the growth of cancer cells throughout the body. The researchers estimate that this important discovery could improve treatments for heart disease and allow clinicians to take into account the increased risk of cancer. The study was funded by the Israel Cancer Society and the Israel Science Foundation.

The research was carried out under the guidance of Professor Jonathan Leor of the Neufeld Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University and the Taman Institute of the Leviev Center in Sheba, and his student Tal Kohler, a medical and research student at Tel Aviv University. It was carried out in Aviv University School of Medicine. The study was published in the important medical journal Circulation.

Heart disease plays a silent role in the rise of cancer

Professor Kohler explains: “In 2013, Israeli cardiologist Tal Hasin was the first to show that there is a link between heart failure and cancer. Patients with heart disease are at increased risk of developing cancer, and heart disease is already a leading cause of cancer. , which ranks first in the United States and second in Israel for mortality, which means more people are at risk for heart disease. It turns out that these cancer-promoting factors are secreted by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which are simple, membrane-encased particles that are secreted by all cells. However, when the heart is damaged, large numbers of these vesicles are released, and these vesicles contain factors associated with inflammation, healing, growth, new blood vessel formation, and changes in the immune system. It travels through the circulatory system and eventually reaches tumors or pre-cancerous tissue.”

Caller said, “Following myocardial damage and deterioration into heart failure, sEVs containing growth factors and small nucleic acid molecules that promote cell division are released. These sEVs contribute to the healing of damaged heart tissue. However, when the heart is released, those vesicles travel through the body’s circulatory system and eventually target cancerous growths.

Professor Jonathan Leor: ‘Many theories have been proposed to explain the increased risk of cancer in heart disease patients, starting with common risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and obesity, and ranging from single proteins or molecules to We presented the first theory: when a diseased heart secretes sEVs containing thousands of different growth factors, these bubbles directly promote the growth of certain tumors and stimulate the immune system. and make the body more vulnerable to tumor growth.”

To test their hypothesis, TAU researchers inhibited sEV formation in an animal model of heart disease and found that cancer risk was reduced along with inhibition of vesicle production. However, this is not a viable treatment option as inhibiting vesicle production results in severe undesirable side effects.

block the path of cancer

Professor Leor: “Systemically inhibiting sEV formation reduces cancer development, but also causes collateral damage in the process. That’s why we tried a different strategy. This means that if we treat a patient’s heart to reduce damage to heart tissue and give spironolactone, an old and effective drug well known for treating heart failure, at a very early stage of the disease, the heart We found that secreted sEVs were reduced by 30%; fewer sEVs were produced, and cancerous tumors grew more slowly. This shows that we can intervene in the disease.”

Regarding the clinical implications of this study, Dr. Kohler was cautious: “Existing cardiac treatments may need to be adjusted so that they also take into account cancer risk. Additionally, it is possible to find cardiac biomarkers.” This is basic research; Much research is still needed to elucidate the relationship between the two. ”

“Thanks to public donations and earmarked funds, the Israel Cancer Society’s research committee reviews and selects dozens of studies each year,” said Moshe Barheim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Society. “We fund researchers and doctors in research and treatment centers around the world.” Israel These studies have led to the development of new methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients. Research has no borders. Therefore, we hope that all the results of our research here in Israel will be of benefit to the whole world. This study reveals that heart disease secretes extracellular bubbles, which increase the risk of cancer, and will have immediate application in Israel and around the world, helping to precisely treat patients. . ”