Withaferin, a chemical purified from extracts of a plant (Withania somnifera) used in traditional East Indian medicine, was shown to prevent cell migration in the laboratory (in vitro) and metastasis in animal models of breast cancer. The chemical binds to vimentin, a protein that helps to form a type of skeleton within cells. The results may identify vimentin as an anti-cancer drug target. Previous work indicates that blocking vimentin may not cause severe side effects, making it a good drug target.
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