Max
05-04-2004, 09:09 AM
Mechanism That Enables Stem Cells to Track Migrating Brain Tumor Cells
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Medical News Keywords
STEM CELLS, BRAIN TUMOR, BRAIN CANCER, CXCR4
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Description
Neural stem cells, which have the ability to track deadly brain cancer cells as they migrate from a tumor to form new satellites, are potential transporters to deliver cancer-killing agents.
CITATION: Neoplasia, Vol.6, #3, May/June 2004: "Glioma Tropic Neural Stem Cells Consist of Astrocytic Precursors and Their Migratory Capacity Is Mediated by CXCR4."
Newswise - Because they target and track deadly brain tumor cells - even those that migrate within the brain - neural stem cells appear to be effective "delivery systems" to transport cancer-killing gene and immune products. But not all neural stem cells take on this tracking role.
Now researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, using mouse and human cells, have defined a subset of neural stem cells that have this tumor-tracking potential. They also have identified a biochemical mechanism that appears to govern the homing behavior. Their results appear in the May/June issue of the journal Neoplasia.
The prognosis for patients with malignant brain tumors called gliomas is extremely poor. Those with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive of the gliomas, usually have a life expectancy of only months from the time of diagnosis. Survival for two years is extremely rare, even with aggressive treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have only minimal impact, and because gliomas have poorly defined borders, with glioma cells intermingling with healthy brain tissue, complete surgical removal is nearly impossible. Furthermore, cancer cells migrate away from the main tumor to form satellites that often escape treatment and lead to recurrence.
"We have previously demonstrated the uncanny ability of neural stem cells to seek out and destroy sate
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/504791/
Libraries
Medical News Keywords
STEM CELLS, BRAIN TUMOR, BRAIN CANCER, CXCR4
Contact Information
Available for logged-in reporters only
Description
Neural stem cells, which have the ability to track deadly brain cancer cells as they migrate from a tumor to form new satellites, are potential transporters to deliver cancer-killing agents.
CITATION: Neoplasia, Vol.6, #3, May/June 2004: "Glioma Tropic Neural Stem Cells Consist of Astrocytic Precursors and Their Migratory Capacity Is Mediated by CXCR4."
Newswise - Because they target and track deadly brain tumor cells - even those that migrate within the brain - neural stem cells appear to be effective "delivery systems" to transport cancer-killing gene and immune products. But not all neural stem cells take on this tracking role.
Now researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, using mouse and human cells, have defined a subset of neural stem cells that have this tumor-tracking potential. They also have identified a biochemical mechanism that appears to govern the homing behavior. Their results appear in the May/June issue of the journal Neoplasia.
The prognosis for patients with malignant brain tumors called gliomas is extremely poor. Those with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive of the gliomas, usually have a life expectancy of only months from the time of diagnosis. Survival for two years is extremely rare, even with aggressive treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have only minimal impact, and because gliomas have poorly defined borders, with glioma cells intermingling with healthy brain tissue, complete surgical removal is nearly impossible. Furthermore, cancer cells migrate away from the main tumor to form satellites that often escape treatment and lead to recurrence.
"We have previously demonstrated the uncanny ability of neural stem cells to seek out and destroy sate
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/504791/