Disease Focus: Solid Tumors
hESC as tools to investigate the neural crest origin of Ewing’s sarcoma
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold great promise as sources of tissue for regenerative medicine and therapeutics. In addition, their utility as tools to study the origins and biology of human disease must not be underestimated. hESC give rise to tissue-specific adult stem cells and, ultimately, to all mature tissues in the body. As such, […]
Stem Cell-Mediated Oncocidal Gene Therapy of Glioblastoma (GBM)
Brain tumors (BTs) are incurable, whether they start in the brain or spread there from other sites. Despite advances in surgical, radiation, pharmacologic, and gene therapies, survival with a BT remains dismal. Current therapies are limited by their inability to reach widely disseminated tumor cells that become dispersed within normal brain structures. Interestingly, the therapeutic […]
Stem Cell-mediated Therapy for High-grade Glioma: Toward Phase I-II Clinical Trials
Despite aggressive multimodal therapy and advances in imaging, surgical and radiation techniques, malignant brain tumors (high-grade gliomas) remain incurable, with survival often measured in months. Treatment failure is largely attributable to the diffuse and invasive nature of these brain tumor cells, ineffective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumor sites, and toxic side-effects to the body, […]
Therapeutic Opportunities To Target Tumor Initiating Cells in Solid Tumors
Cancer is a major cause of human death worldwide. The vast majority of cancer patients suffer from solid tumors whose growth destroys vital organs. We propose to develop novel therapeutic drugs that target solid tumors affecting the brain, colon and ovaries. These cancers account for a significant proportion of currently intractable solid malignancies. Scientists have […]
UCLA Clinical Trial Targets Cancer Stem Cells: A Patient’s Story
When Frank Gonzales was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2010 it was the start of a long fight against the disease. Chemotherapy helped keep the cancer in check, but it wasn’t a cure. So when Frank heard about a new experimental treatment, that seeks out and destroys cancer stem cells, he was intrigued. Frank […]