Found stem cells in pancreatic tumors

This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for this deadly disease. For the first time, researchers at the University of Michigan General Cancer Center have identified stem cells linked to pancreatic cancer.

This study could help develop new treatments for this deadly cancer and have the lowest survival rate of any dangerous malignant mass. Only about three percent of patients survive five years after the diagnosis.

The most common form of pancreatic cancer
(Photo: pathology2.jhu.edu)

Dr. Diane Simeone, who led the study and director of the center's gastrointestinal cancer program, said: 'Within the past decade or two, we have not made significant progress. in increasing the long-term survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients. I believe that if we target stem cells in pancreatic cancer, we can have a way to make a breakthrough in treating this terrible disease. '

Cancer-causing stem cells make up only a small fraction of cancer cells and cause tumors to grow. Sometimes current cancer treatments are not effective because they do not kill cancer-causing stem cells. Being able to identify these cells could help scientists develop drugs to destroy them.

In the study, scientists took tissue samples from ten patients with pancreatic cancer and implanted them into mice to develop new tumors. They then looked at some points on the surface of tumor cells and identified a handful of cells that could quickly form new tumors. It could be stem cells that cause pancreatic cancer.

This finding was published in the February 1 issue of Cancer Research.

Scientists have also identified stem cells in several other cancers, including brain, breast, central nervous system, colon and blood cancers.

Linh Anh