“The stem cells were unable to self-renew, which resulted in long-term and irreversible impairment of tumour growth. In other words, the cancer was permanently shut down.”
Scientists and surgeons at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre have discovered a promising new approach to treating colorectal cancer by disarming the gene that drives self-renewal in stem cells that are the root cause of disease, resistance to treatment and relapse. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world.
“This is the first step toward clinically applying the principles of cancer stem cell biology to control cancer growth and advance the development of durable cures,” says principal investigator Dr. John Dick about the findings published online today in Nature Medicine.
He talks about the research in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK7JquljkBc.
Dr. Dick pioneered the cancer stem cell field by first identifying leukemia stem cells (1994) and colon cancer stem cells (2007). He is also renowned for isolating a human blood stem cell in its purest form – as a single stem cell capable of regenerating the entire blood system – paving the way for clinical use (2011). Dr. Dick holds a Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Biology and is a Senior Scientist at University Health Network’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine. He is also a Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, and Director of the Cancer Stem Cell Program at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.
In pre-clinical experiments, the research team replicated human colon cancer in mice to determine if specifically targeting the stem cells was clinically relevant. First, the researchers identified that the gene BMI-1, already implicated in maintaining stem cells in other cancers, is the pivotal regulator of colon cancer stem cells and drives the cycle of self-renewal, proliferation and cell survival. Next, the team used an existing small-molecule inhibitor to successfully block BMI-1, thus demonstrating the clinical relevance of this approach.
Lead author Dr. Antonija Kreso writes: “Inhibiting a recognized regulator of self-renewal is an effective approach to control tumor growth, providing strong evidence for the clinical relevance of self-renewal as a biological process for therapeutic targeting.”
Dr. Dick explains: “When we blocked the BMI-1 pathway, the stem cells were unable to self-renew, which resulted in long-term and irreversible impairment of tumour growth. In other words, the cancer was permanently shut down.”
The Latest Google Headlines on: Colon cancer
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Colon cancer” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on: Colon cancer
- This Bathroom Issue Is a Common Sign of Colon Cancer, According to a GI Docon May 1, 2024 at 3:25 am
In fact, by the time someone does flag blood in the stool, it may no longer be an "early symptom" of colon cancer. "Blood in the stool is a relatively late sign of colorectal cancer and does not ...
- Colorectal cancer is increasing among young people. It’s time to boost research on iton May 1, 2024 at 1:30 am
Despite its devastating impact, colorectal cancer is the only top-five cancer killer without its own research program within the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research ...
- Classic Harley Davidson to host 'Undy 500' for colon cancer awarenesson April 30, 2024 at 3:26 pm
BERN TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Colonoscopies and colon cancer are not fun topics, but on Saturday, Classic Harley Davidson in Bern Township is trying to change that. The shop teamed up with the local nonprofit ...
- Tricare Lowers Age for Colon Cancer Screenings to 45on April 30, 2024 at 1:26 pm
The change in coverage comes as people younger than 50 are getting colon cancer more often, according to the American Cancer Society.
- Microbiome researchers challenge the state of the art in colon cancer biomarker discoveryon April 30, 2024 at 2:00 am
For the first time, researchers from VIB-KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, Janssen Pharmaceutica and multiple international collaborators have introduced quantitative methods and extensive confounder control to ...
- What’s behind the rise in colon cancer among young people?on April 29, 2024 at 11:26 pm
With more and more people below the age of 50 being diagnosed with the illness, the medical community is urgently trying to determine a cause.
- Advanced Stage Colorectal Cancer In Young Adults Is A Growing Crisison April 29, 2024 at 11:17 am
Colorectal cancer in young adults is occurring at alarming rates. Here are steps to take to prevent this disease from affecting you and loved ones.
- Aspirin boosts immune response against colon cancer, study showson April 24, 2024 at 7:02 am
Tissue samples from aspirin users showed less cancer spread to the lymph nodes, and more aggressive activity of immune cells against tumors, the researchers said. In the lab, they discovered that ...
- Mom and Daughter Diagnosed with Colon Cancer 10 Days Apart: ‘What on Earth Would Be the Chances?’on April 22, 2024 at 10:46 am
Rhiannon Tudor and her mom, Catherine, were diagnosed with colon cancer within the same two week period. While Catherine is now cancer-free, Rihannon’s health struggle still continues.
- Aspirin May Boost Your Immune System, Reduce Colorectal Cancer Riskon April 22, 2024 at 8:17 am
New research suggests that low dose aspirin may help enhance your immune system and lower your risk of colorectal cancer.
The Latest Google Headlines on: Therapeutic stem cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”therapeutic stem cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on: Therapeutic stem cells
- Somite Therapeutics to Present at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ASGCT)on May 1, 2024 at 7:36 am
BOSTON, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Somite Therapeutics, a tech-bio company leveraging big data and AI to introduce novel cell replacement therapies, today announced that the Company will present a ...
- Cell Therapy Manufacturing: Time to Move Faston April 30, 2024 at 9:54 am
The more quickly manufacturing and release obstructions can be cleared, the sooner lifesaving treatments can be administered.
- Stem cell therapy was supposed to cure cancer. The last big breakthrough was in 1959on April 30, 2024 at 2:06 am
Lecture by Dr Akhil Banerjea, from the National Institute of Immunology on stem cell therapies was measured, less of a hyperbole and rooted in science. 'It's still cosmetic, experimental,' he said.
- Stem cells improve memory, reduce inflammation in Alzheimer's mouse brainson April 29, 2024 at 10:27 am
When people think of Alzheimer's Disease and possible treatment, amyloid—and the accumulation of plaques that invade the cerebral cortex—is often brought up first. However, scientists are finding that ...
- Stem Cells Newson April 27, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Feb. 7, 2024 — A tiny microfluidic device can improve cell therapy techniques for spinal cord injury patients. The device can remove a large percentage of stem cells that have not yet fully ...
- Celebrities Quietly Paying Huge Amounts for Anti-Aging Stem Cell Therapy That May Cause Gruesome Side Effectson April 27, 2024 at 6:31 am
Experts caution that there's limited evidence backing the benefits of these stem cell treatments, while pointing to plenty of risks.
- Using stem cell-derived heart muscle cells to advance heart regenerative therapyon April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
One promising strategy that has been steadily gaining traction is using human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) for regenerative heart therapy. Simply put, HiPSCs are cells derived from ...
- Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in Crohn’s diseaseon April 25, 2024 at 6:00 am
Whether human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) could heal luminal ulcers in Crohn’s disease.
- John Cleese is spending thousands on stem cell therapy – is it really the secret to anti-ageing?on April 24, 2024 at 9:59 pm
The procedure in question is stem cell therapy, a treatment that the Monty Python star undergoes every 12 to 18 months. “These cells travel around the body and when they discover a place that needs ...
- The murky, unregulated world of anti-ageing stem cell therapyon April 24, 2024 at 10:50 am
Stem cells are the new focal point of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers reportedly spending tens of thousands of pounds each year on expensive therapies offered by private longevity clinics ...