Saturday, February 15, 2014

Brain Cancer Research & The Focus On Stem Cells

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.

It seems as though the CD133 protein is an important aspect to consider when it comes to brain cancer research. Keep in mind that this protein is able to be correlated to the resistance of cancer stem cells, which basically means that CD133 is noteworthy in terms of immunotherapy. It hasn't been made as to whether this procedure can actually prevent tumors from coming back, which means that more information is being looked to. Regardless, the results shown so far should be given attention by organizations on the matter, Voices against Brain Cancer included.

As one can imagine, stem cells have been an area of focus in medicine in the past. After all, there has been talk that properly utilizing the cells in question could lead to the growth of lost limbs, for instance, though such a claim has not been confirmed. However, the information that exists with them has been enough for it to be brought into the broad field of brain cancer research. If this idea is expanded on, who knows just how much potential can be realized?




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