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Pipework problems when cancer spreads to an area bordering the brain

Nature作者：Jang Hyun Park2026年9月30日正文已收录本站
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Analysis of cancer growing adjacent to the brain reveals that bone-eroding cells interfere with lymphatic drainage vessels and hinder anti-tumour immune responses.

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  1. Jang Hyun Park

    1. Jang Hyun Park is at the Brain Immunology and Glia Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA, and in the Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis.

  2. Jonathan Kipnis

    1. Jonathan Kipnis is at the Brain Immunology and Glia Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA, and in the Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis.

Tumours called dural metastases — those that spread to the outermost membrane surrounding the brain — do not just sit passively at the brain border. A picture is emerging of how extensively they restructure the surrounding area. Writing in Nature, Zeng et al.1 show that these tumours recruit cells called osteoclasts, which naturally degrade bone. Moreover, the osteoclasts disrupt fluid ‘pipes’ adjacent to the brain called meningeal lymphatic vessels and blunt local anti-tumour immune responses. This evidence reveals several possible targets in efforts to develop therapies.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02783-z

References

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Competing Interests

J.K. is a co-founder of Rho Bio, Pranas Neuro and Argo Neurotech.

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