The Cancer Stem Cell Program at Lund Stem Cell Center was founded in 2005 and brings together scientists working on cancer stem cells in
Synergies between the research groups exist at various levels- not only by sharing experimental approaches and technology platforms, but also due to biological similarities of different cancer stem cell types. The immediate aim of the research in this program is a thorough molecular and functional characterization of these cells, which pave the way for diagnostic and prognostic tests as well as the development of future targeted anti-cancer stem cell therapies.
In contrast to the previous assumption that the majority of cells in a cancer possess uncontrolled and indefinite self-renewal, it has now become clear that tumors can be organized in a hierarchical fashion.
Only a specific population of cells, cancer or tumor stem cells, has the capacity to initiate and maintain cancer growth. In addition to sustaining themselves, this subpopulation also gives rise to all other types of non-tumorigenic cancer cells, which can represent the majority of cells in a cancer tissue.
Thus, cancer stem cells must be regarded as the root of cancer, being both required and sufficient for sustaining the tumor. Based on the cancer stem cell concept, it is these cells, which need to be efficiently eliminated for a curative anti-cancer treatment.
In addition to significant implications for the development of new anti-cancer strategies, the detection of remaining cancer stem cells after therapy should have a very important prognostic value, as those cells are thought to lead to the recurrence of cancer growth. Recent studies have also shown that cancer stem cells can be particularly resistant to current therapies.
Page Manager: Katarina Branzén
Last modified: 2010-03-04
