Friday, February 14, 2014

Stem Cells In Regards To Brain Cancer Research

By Robbie Sutter


The idea of stem cells is quite interesting, seeing as how these particular cells have the ability to generate new cells when active. This is an especially important point in the field of brain cancer research, as it seems like the same can be said for cancer stem cells. On the surface, this idea is practically ideal for there to be new therapies conducted down the road. Fortunately, this appears to be the case, if a recent study on the matter is anything to go by.

According to an article on Science Daily, it appears as though a new study has been done with the idea of stem cells in mind. A team of people at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute and Department of Neurosurgery found immune system targets on cancer stem cells and worked in order to target them. Specifically, an experimental vaccine was created in order to target them. Just as with any drug that is seen in this level of research, there is much more to learn about the circumstances surrounding it.

The research was done and what was picked up on, in particular, was a protein by the name of CD133. The experiment was done with mice, the aforementioned vaccine being put into place for the sake of determining if an immune response would follow. When it comes to the positives of this study, it was shown that this vaccine could be implemented without damaging the healthy cells or organs. The ability to minimize damage should be the focus of surgery in general, regardless of the brain being targeted or not.

Those who have invested ample time in brain cancer research can tell you that there is a tremendous amount of importance that comes with the CD133 protein. Seeing as how this particular protein has been linked to the resistance of cancer stem cells to treatment options, it is perhaps the ideal target for immunotherapy. While it's unknown if this procedure can prevent tumors from returning once they are removed, efforts are being made to find out more information. Organizations like Voices against Brain Cancer should make note of this.

Stem cells have been the area of focus for a number of conditions in the past. It has been believed that they can be utilized in research in order to do such things as grow back limbs which have been lost, though it seems as though progress is being made slowly in this regard. That being said, there is still more than enough information to be seen as far as brain cancer research is concerned. The impact that studying cancer stems cells can have stands a chance of being noteworthy.




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