Probe Studies Stem Cell,Tumor LinkSome award-winning local research is shedding light on what causes of brain tumors. Doctors believe they could be linked to so-called “stem cells gone bad”.
Dr. Steven Goldman and his team at the University of Rochester Medical Center have worked for years with stem cells. They've been trying to get them to turn on and start regenerating tissue. That's something very important to spinal cord injury patients.
In the meantime, Goldman has also focused on finding a way to turn off the cells, especially when they start generating cancers. Targeting stem cells and their offspring, called progenitors, may be the key.
“What we're finding out though is that both the stem cells and the progenitor cells can cause tumors.” Goldman explained, “and so in some cases, as in many primary brain tumors, it appears that different stem and progenitor cells may be involved in the tumor. So, we need to target both at the same time to basically kill the tumor."
Brain tumors affect 17,000 people each year. The survival rate for this type of cancer has not improved much in decades.
I can see it now: the democrats will get Michael J. Fox his stem cells. Fox will develop cancer. Fox will make TV ads attacking Republicans for giving him cancer.
