Discovery metastasis inducing stem cells in blood Breast Cancer Patients in 2013, and making them susceptible to subsequent chemotherapy!

Citaat uit berichtgeving op de site van HI STEMM Heidelberg institute for stem cell technology and expertimental medicine.
The researchers of HISTEM are focusing on so called tumor stem cells, which are believed

to be the origin of most tumors. Unlike the majority of tumor cells, tumor stem cells reside in protected niches and only rarely divide. Therefore, they are less sensitive to

conventional cancer treatments and are often responsible for cancer recurrence and metastasis in the wake of treatments that initially appear successful. Trumpp and his coworkers discovered that they could activate dormant stem cells using various chemical messengers, making them susceptible to subsequent chemotherapy.In addition, the HISTEM team discovered metastasis inducing stem cells in the blood of breast cancer patients. Since the number of such cells correlates with a patient’s chance of survival, the ability to detect them may enhance diagnostic methods. The scientists are now

trying to inhibit the cells’ activity using new substances. In first talks, representatives of the

pharmaceutical industry have shown strong interest in the approach. 

bron http://www.hi-stem.de/partners/university-hospitals.html

(let op dit bericht dateert van 22 april 2013 dus bijna 2 jaar geleden!)