Can research on cancer stem cells help other health problems?
The origin of cancer stem cells is still unclear. An appropriate analogy to this dilemma would be: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Just as we do not know which came first, researchers still are unsure whether cancer stem cells come from a normal stem cell gone wrong or the progeny of a stem cell taking on the property of the mother stem cells. (Reya T et al, Nature 2001;414:105; Pardal R et al, Nature Review 2003;3:895; Al-Hajj & Clarke MF, Oncogene 2004;23:7274; Al-Hajj et al, Curr Opinion Gen Develop 2004;14:43) For additional information regaring cancer and stem cell research, please visit the New Jersey Medical School/University Hospital – Cancer Center.
