"Cancer Stem Cells: Are We Targeting the Right Cells?" with Max S. Wicha, MD - May 21, 2014

Why do tumors reemerge in so many cancer patients? Current cancer treatments target the cells that make up the bulk of a tumor but may miss the cells that cause metastasis and relapse. Recent evidence suggests that many cancers, including breast cancer, are driven by a small subpopulation of "cancer stem cells" that are relatively resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. Max S. Wicha, MD, distinguished professor of Oncology and Director, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the "cancer stem cell" model and its implications to the biology and treatment of tumors, including the early clinical trials of treatments that specifically target cancer stem cells.
This lecture was part of the Silverstein Lecture Series, an educational event hosted by Northwestern University's Center for Genetic Medicine.
Learn more: www.cgm.northwestern.edu/educ...

[@Kyrani99]

This is marrying together the mutations theory/ stochastic theory with the stem cell hypothesis. If that was the case, then do stem cells develop mutations to give them embryonic stem cell markers on them and embryonic stem cell capabilities? Wow.

[@robbiedeacon9412]

Acquiring stemness in a tumour context largely depends on pluripotent transcription factors secreted from the surrounding stem cell niche, plus epigenetic regulation plays a huge role (which Of course can be influenced by regular DNA mutations)

[@Kyrani99]

@@robbiedeacon9412 Is it about acquiring stemness in a tumor context? If the whole tumor wouldn't arise without cancer stem cells (and the science points in this direction) then the basis is a nocebo effect. A person reacting to some ideas that give rise to physical reaction. So while the person continues to uphold such ideas / beliefs then no treatment is going to work because it is not a matter of not killing the cancer stem cells. No cells would survive the chemo or directed radiation. What happens is the person's reaction regrows the tumor. So it is the ideas / beliefs that need to be eradicated. Then the body will do the spontaneous remission of the cancer. Ah, but there's no money in that!