American scientists developed a method to treat brain cancer. A research group of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute genetically engineered stem cells so that they produce cytotoxins. With this method, they succeeded in killing cancer cells that remained in mouse brains after resection of a tumour. Results were published in the journal STEM CELLS.
Cytotoxins are deadly to all cells by disrupting the intracellular protein production. However, they can be labelled so they only affect cancer cells. In this way, cytotoxins are already being used to treat different types of leukaemia. Until now, this method did not work properly in the treatment of solid tumours – these are less accessible for the toxins, because they have a short half-life. Also, cytotoxins are not able to access the brain because of the blood-brain barrier.
The researchers, led by dr. Khalid Shah, neuroscientist, already knew that stem cells are able to produce cytotoxins by introducing a genetic mutation. Also, they hypothesised that the cancer could be reached by placing the stem cells directly into the brain. In a mouse model for brain cancer, they tested this theory by first removing the brain tumour and subsequently placing the stem cells in the resection cavity. The toxins did their work and only eradicated the remaining cancer cells. Eventually, survival of the mice was prolonged.
Shah and his colleagues would like to enhance this method by combining their toxin-producing cells with other therapeutic stem cells. Also, they want to extend their research to a model for glioblastoma – the most common brain tumour in human adults. This way, they hope to bring their therapy into clinical trials within the next five years.
Source: STEM CELLS.
MedZine writes twice per week about notable science.
