Isolation of Colon Cancer Stem Cells

By implanting human tumors into mice, UCSF researchers have also isolated what we believe are colon cancer stem cells. These are cells which have properties similar to adult human stem cells, such as the capacity for self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into various types of specialized cells.

One hypothesis is that cancer stem cells are resistant to traditional chemotherapy treatment; over time, a recurrent tumor may derive from these cancer stem cells. By working to understand the molecular biology of this tiny subset of tumors cells, rather than the bulk tumor cells that have been analyzed in the past, the lab may find ways to overcome drug resistance and tailor treatments to hone in on any vulnerabilities. This may lead to long-term responses and perhaps even cures for some patients.