Cancer is a disease that plagues our society, and is at the forefront of scientific research around the globe. There have been many advancements toward cancer research, and in the development of therapies or potential cures. However, cancer does remain one of the largest health issues to date. There are many unanswered questions about this disease, and even with extensive research, it usually leads to more questions. Cancer stem cells are a type of cancer cell that play an intimate role in determining the potential aggressive behavior of cancer. Cancer stem cells have taken the research world by storm, and although heavily debated, could potentially lead to the development of cancer therapies and impact the future of cancer treatment, or even a cure. In order to understand cancer stem cells, one must first understand stem cells in general. The idea of cancer stem cells was proposed over 100 years ago, but has recently become a major focus because of the similarities they share with normal stem cells. The idea of cancer stem cells generated research because sub-components of stem cells have been located in tumors of the breast, brain, and other organs. The parallels between cancer stem cells and stem cells have led to a cancer stem cell theory or hypothesis, and could one day hopefully lead to the eradication of cancer.
Stem cells are controversial and a heavily debated research area of biology. They are basically the body 's master cells and embody important characteristics. According to Jordan, Guzman, and Noble, “stem cells have three distinctive properties: self renewal, the capability to develop into multiple lineages, and the potential to proliferate extensively” (1253). The characteristic of ...
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... are sometimes a temporary means to an end , “cancers that appear to be successfully eliminated immediately following treatment may recur at a later time and often do so at a new site” (Goldthwaite, 93). Research and development are focusing on being able to target the cancer stem cell directly, and avoid damaging healthy tissues. Goldthwaite also shows us that, “If the CSC hypothesis proves to be correct, then a strategy designed to target CSCs selectively could potentially stop the “seeds” of the tumor before they have a chance to germinate and spread” (93). Eliminating the cancer stem cells that are responsible for tumor growth could potentially cure a patient. Leaving the cancer stem cells and simply destroying the tumor is not beneficial. Having a clear understanding of how cancer stem cells elude therapies can also lead to more effective cancer treatments.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) has impacted the world nationally and internationally for their involvement and work with cancer, science, research, and medicine. A goal of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is through extensive research and training explore new ways to treat, cure, and control cancer on a national and worldwide level. Scientist and Researchers affiliated with MSKCC take their knowledge, investigation, and research to create clinical trials, studies and new treatments for cancer nationally and worldwide which create various economic opportunities throughout the nation and world.
Background and objective. Tumor heterogeneity is shown to be related to clinical outcome in cancer patients. The concept of a small subset of cancer stem cells being responsible for tumor relapse and metastasis comes out as a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy. However, cancer stem cells are not easy to identify and isolate. The aim of this study was to determine the putative colon cancer stem cell subsets in human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29, which differ in their aggressiveness and differentiation capacity. Material and methods. Flow cytometry was used to asses HCT116 and HT29 cell lines for the expression of stemness-associated surface markers CD24, CD44, CD117, CD133, ESA, ABCB1. Both cell lines were treated with 5-fluoruracil and the phenotype of chemoresistant cells was investigated. Side population was visualized via Rhodamine 123 staining. Relative expression of ABCG2, c-Myc and Oct4 genes was quantified using qPCR analysis. Results and conclusions. It was shown that HCT116 and HT29 cell lines differ in their stemness-related properties. We imply that putative CSC subset for HCT116 cell line is CD44+/CD24-/CD133- (4,1% of all cells) and for HT29 cells – CD24+/CD44-/CD133- (4,9% of all cells).
Further research on this alternative model could lead to therapies that not only target the properties of the primary tumor but also those of the secondary tumor and save many from the burden of fighting cancer again.
The cancer stem cell theory hypothesizes that tumors or cancers arise from mutations or epigenetic changes in normal stem cells. These mutated or genetically altered stem cells possess the properties of the normal stem cells such as the ability to self-renew, differentiate into any type of body cell, and resist apoptosis. Hence, the cancer stem cells (CSC) are named so. It is also suggested that because of the above-mentioned properties of the cancer stem cells, the current anti-cancer therapies are not entirely successful (Gil et al, 2008). Despite surgery and other therapies, even if very few of these cancer stem cells survive, they can continue to act as a source for more tumors, even though the therapies eliminate all visible signs of cancer.
Stem cell research began in 1956 when Dr. E Donnall Thomas performed the first bone marrow transplant (“Adult stem cells are not more promising,” 2007). Since that time, research has evolved into obtaining cells from a variety of tissues. According to stem cell research professors, Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee (2005), “Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that are capable of becoming cells, each with new specialized functions” (p. 2). Stem cells are in various adult tissues, such as bone marrow, the liver, the epidermis layer of skin, the central nervous system, and eyes. They are also in other sources, such as fetuses, umbilical cords, placentas, embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are cells from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency. Most stem cells offer multipotent cells, which are sparse...
In 2013 about 580,350 Americans were projected to die of cancer, almost 1,600 people a day. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths (Cancer Facts). Doctors and scientists are always trying to discover new ways to help battle cancer as well as other diseases. Doctors have tried everything from plants to radiation to try and destroy cancerous cells. Instead of destroying them Scientists and doctors are now trying to replace the old cancerous cells. In order to replace these cells they will need new cells. Stem cell research is the newest way doctors are trying to help with diseases. There are different types of stem cells. Stem cells are cells found primarily in embryos, and they have not yet taken on the characteristics of any particular type of cell, such as bone, muscle tissue or brain matter. The newest research being done is with embryotic stem cells. Embryotic Stem cells have been used in medical therapies to aid patients with many types of diseases; that being said it is imperative that we continue researching, practicing, and funding these medical advancements.
Every year countless people are diagnosed with cell based diseases, 7.6 million a year alone receive the petrifying news that they have cancer. But what if we could eliminate the idea that a cancerous diagnosis is the equivalent of a death sentence? The use of embryonic stem cells could, for the first time, make diseases like cancer or parkinson a non-issue. This is why the use of embryonic stem cells should not be viewed as unethical but rather a huge step towards unthinkable medical breakthroughs and the eradication of life threatening diseases.
The importance of embryonic stem cells rests in their lack of specialization. These basic cells are present in the earliest stages of developing embryos and are able to develop into virtually any type of cell and tissue in the body. Being self-renewing, they offer a potentially limitless source of cells and tissue. (Tucker)
I have elected to transcribe my proposal argument on issues regarding cancer chemoprevention. I selected this topic because reasonably minute devotion has been given to cancer chemoprevention research in ethical writings, particularly in relation to the huge quantity of moral studies in cancer treatment exploration. Cancer chemoprevention trials test the ability and care of medicinal agents in averting cancer before its manifestation. I believe that phase III chemoprevention issues can be less prevalent by simply ensuring enhanced communication and etiquette between researchers and investigators.
Wang, K., Wu, X., & Huang, J. (2013, February 28). Cancer stem cell theory: therapeutic implications for nanomedicine. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3589204/
There are many different types of stem cells that are being looked at for research. These include embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells that have the potential to produce many different cells in the body. They are cells that are tak...
“Stem Cells: The Future of Medicine.” Medschool.umaryland.edu. University of Maryland School of Medicine Web 14 Nov 2013
About 12% of women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, more than any other type of cancer (www.breastcancer.org, 2015). Many people lack the knowledge of how breast cancer is developed. Some people think they will not get cancer because they do not smoke cigarettes, but this is not the only cause of cancer developing in the breast. Anyone can get cancer. Everyone is potentially at risk for developing some form of Cancer (American Cancer Society, 2015).
An ordinary human body contains approximately one trillion cells and precisely 46 chromosomes in each cell. However, the human body can be altered by a genetic mutation. Over the course of history, genetic mutations have had a large impact on the human race. They have brought harm to numerous amounts of people. Cancer, in particular, is one of the most lethal diseases. Cancer begins when a portion of DNA inside a chromosome is damaged, causing a cell to mutate. Then, the mutated cell reproduces multiple times and creates a tumor. Afterwards, cancer cells break off of the tumor, enter the bloodstream, and disperse throughout the body. If the cells break off, the tumor is considered malignant - this type of cancer is very difficult to cure. Many patients today stay optimistic for a medication to heal cancer. It is imperative to address a few of the causes and effects of cancer in order to gain a general knowledge of genetic mutations.
Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of