Cancer Stem Cell
Dinesh Kumar Singh
Monday, 02 April 2007 15:56 UTC
I would like to draw attention of all the members of Nature blog on the recent hot topic of cancer stem cells. As most of you know that cancer is now hypothesized to arise due to mutation in the stem cell and not in the somatic cell in general.However, recent data suggest that a cancerous cells can acquire stem cell phenotye.
So, irrespective of what might be the source of the cancer origin, cell biologists and immunologists should come together and look at this together.Though people may differ with regards to the origin or nomenclature of these rouge cells, but the fact that they acquire stem cell properties can be used efficiently to nail it down.
A serious misconception in the filed of stem cell or cancer stem cell is the fact that people claim a cell to be “stem cell like” or "cancer-stem cell " when they report that these cells are expressing some of the stem cell markers (as determined by qPCR or any other technique).Another gold standard they use if the formation of spheroid structures as is seen in case of embroid bodies formation during development. To me it seems that one needs to be sceptical before claiming such things.Phenotypes are in no way an indication of the functionality of cells, however the reverse might be true.
I would appreciate people’s comments on this.
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Hi, just to continue on in a semantic way – I think the use of ‘cancer-initiating cell’ is more accurate. In this way, you can then encompase cells which survive therapy in vivo and develop resistance resulting in regrowth. The idea of stem-cell features is not arbitary. A side population is a functional measure of a feature that could be so very useful to cell that needs to survive long-term, likewise other markers that identify a survival advantage are probably key in both normal and cancer ‘stem’ cell biology. The combined evidence of many assays can only indicate a cell with a specific phenotype has stem-like properties, as has been said before, the only proof positive is to generate whole organisms or organs or parts of organs with the definition of description of the cell restricted accordingly. However, all of these systems used to define these cells are just that, imperfect across an almost incalculable infitisimal dynamic – y’know they massively improved in vitro fertilisation by blowing warm air across the dish during the spermatid transfer. There is much scepticism in this field, but also wild claims. Only time will reveal the genius from the boastful!
By the way, has anyone seen the work of James Shirley – the immortal strand? This is an intreging aspect of stem cell research….any discussion greatfully encouraged. (He went on hunger strike recently over his job at MIT)
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Thank you,
Dot
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Very interesting discussion on this forum! Kelly et al recently challenged the cancer stem cell hypothesis in July 2007 Science paper. Instead of typical xeno-transplantation of human leukemia cells into immunodeficient mice, they worked with mice genetically engineered to develop leukemia. When they injected leukemic cells from these animals into genetically compatible healthy mice, all the recipients developed leukemia, even those injected with as few as 10 cells. They suggest that mouse lymphomas can be maintained by a relatively large proportion of tumour cells.
Similar to what Sian said, Kelly et al also suggest that the cells sustaining growth of an established tumor be referred to as “tumor-propagating cells” instead of cancer stem cells.
In an Aug 2007 review paper the above observation of non-rarity of cancer stem cells is attributed to the variation in cancer stem cell frequency in different cancers.
If most of the transplanted cells (1 in 10) can seed tumor growth, then it will be interesting to see how the promising cancer stem cell field develops methods to reliably identify the distinct population of tumor-initiating and non-initiating cells.
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Anonymous
Hi there,
You might be interested in the following meeting being held in May – do bear in mind that the early(reduced rate)deadline is March 20th!
Future Advances in Regenerative Medicine
Friday, June 13, BioPark Hertfordshire“Cell- and gene-based therapies are quickly progressing from the lab bench to the clinic. Restoration of damaged tissues in humans thus requires close and significant interactions between basic scientists, clinicians, regulators, biochemical and tissue engineers, and commercial biotechnology. The goal of this meeting is to provide a “snapshot” of the current landscape in Regenerative Medicine, and to highlight outstanding issues in translational biology”. Chair: Dr Stephen Minger, Kings College, UK.
Speakers:
Professor Glyn Stacey, National Institute of Biological Standards and Control, UK
Dr Rike Zietlow, Cardiff University, UK
Dr Paul Kemp, Chief Scientific Officer, Intercytex, UK
Dr Gillian Farnie, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, UK
Dr Lyle Armstrong, Centre For Stem Cell Biology & Developmental Genetics International Centre For Life, UK
Dr Julie T Daniels, Director, Moorfields Eye Hospital Cells for Sight Tissue Bank, UK
Professor Nureddin Ashammakhi, Keele University, UKTo take a look at the agenda and/or book a place at this meeting click here .
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