Neural Stem Cells Shown to Target Breast Cancer Tumors
Neural Stem Cells Shown to Target Breast Cancer Tumors
Article available here.
Researchers at the institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have discovered that neural stem cells found in the central nervous system can be used to target cancerous tumors outside of the central nervous system. Previously, these stem cells have been shown to inhibit the growth of brain tumors; however, this experiment opened a new range of possibilities and uses for these cells. A large part of the reason that so many people die from cancer is that it spreads and invades other parts of the body. If these stem cells prove effective, they could potentially slow, or prevent the spread of cancer throughout the body. The neural stem cells are derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
To test the hypothesis that the NSCs could target tumors outside of the brain, mice with breast tumors were given an injection of NSCs in combination with a suicide gene. Later, a drug was injected to activate the suicide gene that would kill cancerous cells on contact. The results of the experiment were that mice lived on average 39 days, compared to the previous 34 day average.
I found this article to be important and interesting for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the neural stem cells are derived from adults cells which means that there are far less (or no) ethical issues in harvesting and cultivating them. Additionally, it is always interesting when stem cells can be used for purposes such as inhibiting cancer. Lastly, I feel like medicine is advancing so quickly, and that within my lifetime there could very well be a cure for some types of cancer. As a result, anything that has to do with progress towards this goal is really intriguing.
Article available here.
Researchers at the institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have discovered that neural stem cells found in the central nervous system can be used to target cancerous tumors outside of the central nervous system. Previously, these stem cells have been shown to inhibit the growth of brain tumors; however, this experiment opened a new range of possibilities and uses for these cells. A large part of the reason that so many people die from cancer is that it spreads and invades other parts of the body. If these stem cells prove effective, they could potentially slow, or prevent the spread of cancer throughout the body. The neural stem cells are derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
To test the hypothesis that the NSCs could target tumors outside of the brain, mice with breast tumors were given an injection of NSCs in combination with a suicide gene. Later, a drug was injected to activate the suicide gene that would kill cancerous cells on contact. The results of the experiment were that mice lived on average 39 days, compared to the previous 34 day average.
I found this article to be important and interesting for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the neural stem cells are derived from adults cells which means that there are far less (or no) ethical issues in harvesting and cultivating them. Additionally, it is always interesting when stem cells can be used for purposes such as inhibiting cancer. Lastly, I feel like medicine is advancing so quickly, and that within my lifetime there could very well be a cure for some types of cancer. As a result, anything that has to do with progress towards this goal is really intriguing.
posted by Unknown at 7:17 PM
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