Radiation treatment transforms breast cancer cells into cancer stem cells
Posted: February 14, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Now, researchers with the UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center report for the first time that radiation treatment –despite killing half of all tumor cells during every treatment - transforms other cancer cells into treatment-resistant breast cancer stem cells.
The generation of these breast cancer stem cells counteracts the otherwise highly efficient radiation treatment. If scientists can uncover the mechanisms and prevent this transformation from occurring, radiation treatment for breast cancer could become even more effective, said study senior author Dr. Frank Pajonk, an associate professor of radiation oncology and Jonsson Cancer Center researcher.
"We found that these induced breast cancer stem cells (iBCSC) were generated by radiation-induced activation of the same cellular pathways used to reprogram normal cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) in regenerative medicine," said Pajonk, who also is a scientist with the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine at UCLA. "It was remarkable that these breast cancers used the same reprogramming pathways to fight back against the radiation treatment."
The study appears Feb. 13, 2012 in the early online edition of the peer-reviewed journal Stem Cells.
"Controlling the radiation resistance of breast cancer stem cells and the generation of new iBCSC during radiation treatment may ultimately improve curability and may allow for de-escalation of the total radiation doses currently given to breast cancer patients, thereby reducing acute and long-term adverse effects," the study states.
There are very few breast cancer stem cells in a larger pool of breast cancer cells. In this study, Pajonk and his team eliminated the smaller pool of breast cancer stem cells and then irradiated the remaining breast cancer cells and placed them into mice.
Using a unique imaging system Pajonk and his team developed to visualize cancer stem cells, the researchers were able to observe their initial generation into iBCSC in response to the radiation treatment. The newly generated iBCSC were remarkably similar to breast cancer stem cells found in tumors that had not been irradiated, Pajonk said.
The team also found that the iBCSC had a more than 30-fold increased ability to form tumors compared to the non-irradiated breast cancer cells from which they originated.
Pajonk said that the study unites the competing models of clonal evolution and the hierarchical organization of breast cancers, as it suggests that undisturbed, growing tumors maintain a small number of cancer stem cells. However, if challenged by various stressors that threaten their numbers, including ionizing radiation, the breast cancer cells generate iBCSC that may, together with the surviving cancer stem cells, repopulate the tumor.
"What is really exciting about this study is that it gives us a much more complex understanding of the interaction of radiation with cancer cells that goes far beyond DNA damage and cell killing," Pajonk said. "The study may carry enormous potential to make radiation even better."
Pajonk stressed that breast cancer patients should not be alarmed by the study findings and should continue to undergo radiation if recommended by their oncologists.
"Radiation is an extremely powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer," he said. "If we can uncover the mechanism driving this transformation, we may be able to stop it and make the therapy even more powerful."
Provided by University of California - Los Angeles
Go here to read the rest:
Radiation treatment transforms breast cancer cells into cancer stem cells
- Ying Liu discusses IPS cell therapy for ALS [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2011]
- IPs cells Part 1 [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Implications for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- A Century of Stem Cells - Johns Hopkins Medicine [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Myelin Repair Foundation on Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Jeanne Loring talks about stem cells, part 2 [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- IPs Cells Part 4 [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Embryonic Stem Cells From Skin: Making Old Cells Young [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- National Medical Report [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- National Medical Report [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- Jeanne Loring talks about stem cells, part 3 [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- Kristopher Nazor 2 [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Myelin Repair Foundation on Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Dr. Oz to Oprah and Michael J Fox: "The stem cell debate is dead." [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- Dr. Oz to Oprah and Michael J Fox: "The stem cell debate is dead." [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- Andalusian Stem Cell Bank [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- IPs cells Part3 [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- Andalusian Stem Cell Bank [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- IPs Cells Part 4 [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- iPS Stem Cell-Based Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- Jeanne Loring talks about stem cells, part 1 [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- Jeanne Loring talks about stem cells, part 2 [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- Jeanne Loring talks about stem cells, part 3 [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- Kristopher Nazor 2 [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Implications for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- IPs cells Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2011]
- Cellular Reprogramming Stem Cell Domain Name For Sale! - CellularReprogramming.com [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Cellular Reprogramming Stem Cell Domain Name For Sale! - CellularReprogramming.com [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2011]
- IPs cells Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Healthy Body = Functional Body. Hollywood Look Side Effect: Healthy Function [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Hollywood, Smith [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Manning, Owens Try Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Epidermolysis Bullosa: Corrected iPS Stem Cell-Based Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury - Embryonic Stem Cells - Dr. Keirstead - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Introduction to Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Progress and Promise in Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Visions Episode 92: Stem Cells Discovery - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- James Bond Sam Botta Roger Moore I Married A Beautiful Woman - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- James Bond Sam Botta Roger Moore I Married A Beautiful Woman - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells: Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- TEACHERS OWN CALPERS/GID Managed Apartments, Teachers EVICTING Paraplegic - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2011]
- TEACHERS OWN CALPERS/GID Managed Apartments, Teachers EVICTING Paraplegic - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Could Repair Heart [11-14-2011] - Video [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- Advantages Seroquel - Video [Last Updated On: December 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2011]
- induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells: Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: December 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2011]
- Advantages Seroquel - Video [Last Updated On: December 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2011]
- stem cell research - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Ian Wilmut discusses stem cell and direct cellular transformation therapy - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Lec 22 | MIT 16.885J Aircraft Systems Engineering, Fall 2005 - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Paralyzed rat walks with own stem cells in 11 wks. - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Lec 22 | MIT 16.885J Aircraft Systems Engineering, Fall 2005 - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Jeff Bluestone: Immune rejection of stem cell transplants - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Advances in Stem Cell Research: Shinya Yamanaka - Video [Last Updated On: December 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2011]
- 2011 Summit: Stem Cells, Reprogramming and Personalized Medicine, Rudolf Jaenisch, MD - Video [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease: Advancing Stem Cell Therapies - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting - Video [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2012]
- Parkinson's Disease: Advancing Stem Cell Therapies - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting - Video [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- Professor Alan Trounson - World focus on stem cell research - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2012]
- Professor Alan Trounson - World focus on stem cell research - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2012]
- Researchers turn skin cells into neural precusors, bypassing stem-cell stage [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- Skin cells turned into neural precusors, bypassing stem-cell stage [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2012]
- “Wide-ranging applications for pluripotent stem cells” [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2012]
- New era of medicine in the offing, says scientist [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- EC transfers Basti Commissioner to pacify agitating IPS officers [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Radiation treatment transforms breast cancer cells into cancer stem cells [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Radiation treatment generates cancer stem cells from less aggressive breast cancer cells, study suggests [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Radiation Treatment Generates Cancer Stem Cells from Less Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Life Technologies Scientist Uma Lakshmipathy presents, "Solving Challenges in the Generation of Induced Pluripotent ... [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Radiation therapy transforms breast cancer cells into cancer stem cells [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Radiation treatment generates cancer stem cells from less aggressive breast cancer cells, study suggests [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- Life Technologies Scientist Uma Lakshmipathy presents, "Solving Challenges in the Generation of Induced Pluripotent ... [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Radiation Treatment Generates Cancer Stem Cells from Less Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Horizon in new super-cell elite [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- albuterol adverse effects - Video [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2012]
- Presentations at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting Demonstrate Superior Predictivity of Cellular Dynamics ... [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- A new approach to treating type I diabetes? Gut cells transformed into insulin factories [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- New approach to treating type 1 diabetes? Transforming gut cells into insulin factories [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- New approach to treating type 1 diabetes? Transforming gut cells into insulin factories [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- A new approach to treating type I diabetes? Gut cells transformed into insulin factories [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- Gut cells transformed into insulin factories 'could help to treat type I diabetes' [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Columbia Researchers Find Potential Role for Gut Cells in Treating Type I Diabetes [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]