Stem cells have the remarkable ability to transform into any type of cell, a trait that has long fascinated scientists. This "superpower" holds great promise for regenerative medicine and disease treatment. However, it also poses a serious challenge in cancer therapy. Researchers now believe that cancer stem cells—found in malignant tumors—may be responsible for resistance to treatment. A groundbreaking new study reveals that these cancer stem cells are even more dangerous than previously thought.
Previously, scientists only recognized stem cells in fast-growing, aggressive tumors. But a team from the University of Washington discovered that slow-growing tumors also contain these dangerous stem cells. Their findings, published in *Cell Reports* on March 12, show that these low-grade cancer stem cells are highly resistant to traditional chemotherapy.
The researchers compared these cancer stem cells with normal stem cells and uncovered their mechanisms of drug resistance. They proposed new strategies to target them. "We need to increase the dosage or use different drugs to effectively eliminate these cancer stem cells," said Professor David H. Gutmann, one of the study's authors. Dr. Yi-Hsien Chen, the first author, developed a mouse model for NF1-related low-grade brain tumors. He identified cancer stem cells in this model and showed that they can generate tumors in healthy mice.
NF1, or neurofibromatosis type 1, affects approximately one in every 2,500 newborns. It can lead to a variety of issues, including brain tumors, vision loss, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, heart defects, and skeletal abnormalities. The most common brain tumor in children with NF1 is optic glioma, which typically requires treatment with drugs that target cell growth pathways.
In this study, researchers found that these drugs needed to be used at ten times the usual dose to kill the low-grade cancer stem cells. Further experiments revealed that cancer stem cells produce higher levels of the Abcg1 protein compared to healthy stem cells. This protein helps cancer cells survive under stress. "The Abcg1 protein blocks an internal signal, making cancer stem cells less responsive to treatment," explained Gutmann. "If we can find a drug that disables this protein, it could make it easier to destroy these stem cells."
The research was conducted using a mouse model of NF1 optic glioma. However, the team believes the findings may apply to other types of brain tumors as well. "Stem cells haven't fully differentiated yet, so they can activate new genes to develop survival strategies during treatment," Gutmann noted. "We need to develop better therapies to tackle this issue."
Author: Yi-Hsien Chen
Image: [University of Washington scientists discover new cancer stem cells](http://i.bosscdn.com/blog/20/15/04/013226266308.jpg)
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