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Posted on May 30, 2003, 11 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Scientists have discovered that neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to track cancer cells in the brain. Researchers genetically engineered NSC s to produce a cancer-killing drug when treated with an agent called 5-FC. The cells were then injected into mice infected with human brain tumor cells, and the animals were given 5-FC - within 2-weeks brain tumors were seen to shrink by up to 80%.
Scientists have discovered that neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to track cancer cells in the brain. Researchers genetically engineered NSC s to produce a cancer-killing drug when treated with an agent called 5-FC. The cells were then injected into mice infected with human brain tumor cells, and the animals were given 5-FC - within 2-weeks brain tumors were seen to shrink by up to 80%. Tests revealed that cells injected into a distant site moved to the brain, effectively tracking and targeting the tumor cells. At present, human trials have been unsuccessful, although scientists remain hopeful that NSCs will provide doctors with a treatment capable of finding tumor cells and eliminating them.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2000; 97:12846-12851
