Lowering Stem Cell Cancer Risk

One of the biggest setbacks to stem cell research is that it can potentially trigger one of the diseases that we hope it will eventually treat one day – cancer. Because stem cells have the ability to rapidly grow and differentiate into specialised cells that can heal damaged organs and tissues, they also have the ability to grow uncontrolled, in a fashion similar to cancerous cells.
For years, this has been a perplexing challenge for researchers as they try to create treatments that don't carry the threat of uncontrolled growth that leads to cancerous tumours. Now, success may be just around the corner.
Reducing Risk
However, a new 'trick' of sorts that has been developed by researchers may soon change the risk. Scientists believe they can make cells that have been reprogrammed whereby they don't have any of the genes known to cause cancer. The hope is that we are now closer to developing less risky stem cell treatments that won't carry the threat of cancer as a frightening side effect.Changing Stem Cells
In one procedure that was developed by a team of researchers in Japan – they inserted a number of genes into mice and human chromosomes in skin cells. Collectively, these genes reprogrammed the cells, essentially turning back the clock to growth and development. The cells that resulted are known as induced pluripotent stem cells.These cells were basically turned into embryonic stem cells, which are the 'master' cells that can develop into any of the body's cells and tissues. Since the starting point didn't involve embryonic stem cells – it utilised adult stem cells – the technique is particularly promising as it avoids the controversy of using original embryonic stem cells obtained from in vitro fertilisation clinics.
The problem was that this method, although promising, created a risk of cancer. Retroviruses could attack and influence the genes that usually keep cancer at bay. On top of that, the genes that were used to reprogram the cells can also trigger tumour growth.
Solving the Dilemma
Now though, two separate research teams have tried a new, different approach to the dilemma. They put the genes into actual chromosomes, which allows them to also be taken out afterwards. Researchers further used a piece of DNA rather than viruses to avoid the other cancer-triggering element of retroviruses.Once this altered piece of DNA is put into a mouse or human skin cell along with the right genes, it reprogrammed the cells with the same efficiency as the older technique using retroviruses. However, the cancer risk was now addressed, making it a more promising technique of the future in stem cells. Once the reprogramming bit is completed, these cancer-causing genes can be removed.
Re: Fighting Infection With Stem Cells
My husband on STC 30 treatment today is his fourth day he was diagnosed with hepatitis b he had problems like diarrhea…
Re: Restoration of Paralysis, can Stem Cells Help?
Do you do spinal stem cell inj. for paralysis from waist down due to botched thorasic surgery 9-20
Re: A Rare Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy: A Case Study
Hi,I experienced a continuous bleeding few ours after taking stc 30 meanwhile I just finished my…
Re: Stem Cells and HIV
Recently started on ARVS How save is it to use STC30 together with the ARVS treatment in the initial stages?
Re: A Rare Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy: A Case Study
How does superlife products works for infertility in humans
Re: Stem Cells and HIV
I have been on ART for the past three years but my viral load have never been undetected all these years, can I use STC30 together with my…
Re: Stem Cells and Same Sex Reproduction
I am also a trans man that would love to have a biological child with my wife! We would love to be considered for an…
Re: A Rare Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy: A Case Study
Is this stc30 stem cell therapy safe for patients who had a stroke or heart attack and are…
Re: Growing Facial Bones With Stem Cells
I'm a teenage male who would like flaring, sharp cheekbones. Is a procedure like this possible for it in the future?
Re: Stem Cells to Treat Blindness
Has stem cell therapy cured any patient with Retinoblastoma ?