Originally published August 22 2005
Stem cells help researchers understand the cause of brain tumors
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Adult stem cells are being used in continued studies into origins of brain cancers.
Some types of brain cancer may start with specialised stem cells, researchers say in a report that could lead to new treatments for hard-to-treat brain tumours.
The researchers say studies in mice show that certain incurable types of brain tumour may be initiated by the primitive stem cells, which are a kind of master cell for blood and tissue.
"Continued research into the biology of adult stem cells will aid in the understanding of how cancers originate and develop and may lead to possible new therapies for treating aggressive, currently incurable brain tumours," University of Texas South-western Medical Centre Dr Luis Parada said.
For example, bone marrow stem cells make various kinds of blood cells such as white blood cells, and can also become muscle when directed properly.
Dr Parada's team says some of these primitive brain cells may be predisposed to form tumours.
They bred genetically engineered mice that lacked a gene called p53, known for its role in preventing tumours.
It repairs the errors in DNA that can result in cancer.
The mice also had a mutated version of another tumour suppressor gene called NF1.
The researchers found that stem cells in a part of the brain called the subventricular zone gave rise to malignant astrocytoma cells in the genetically engineered mice.
Malignant astrocytoma, or glioma, is one of the most common types of brain tumour in adults.
"Our results challenge current dogma, which assumes that tumours of this type arise from glial cells located throughout the brain," Dr Parada said.
This could help explain why these tumours are so hard to cure.
Dr Parada says surgery and radiation therapy my remove the tumour, but the cancer could be replenishing itself from the stem cells.
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