Embryonic Stem Cells Can Generate Cancer-Killing Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells Can Generate Cancer-Killing Cells
University of Minnesota researchers have used human embryonic stem cells to generate “natural killer” cells, which normally are present in the blood stream and are play a role in defending the body against infection and against some cancers.
The press release does not detail the method of study, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the researchers put the newly derived antural killer cells in a culture with cancer cells. The experiment was done on two of the federally funded embryonic stem cell lines, and will be published in the October 15 Journal of Immunology. A short UPI article has also been circulated, and can be found at multiple websites. The abstract indicates that the cells were generated in a two-step culture method. The derived NK cells killed the tumor cells directly and also killed cells which had been targeted already by the body’s immune system.
Presumably this study is going to generate a lot of further research and response. The researchers’ next step will be to try on an animal model.
3 Comments:
This is outstanding news for anybody with cancer or with friends or relatives with cancer. The fact that embryonic stem cells can kill cancer stem cells is just a huge medical breakthrough and I can't wait for more information about this coming out in the next few days. Anne, please keep us posted on this.
Also here is an article about it from sciencedaily.com
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20051011-12434300-bc-us-stemcells.xml
Hi, I keep looking and will update as I learn more.
Anne
Post a Comment
<< Home