Cancer Stem Cells: Mouse studies lead to paradigm shift in cancer research

For the past 15 years one of the most intriguing ideas in cancer research has been that the growth and spread of most – if not all – cancers is driven by cancer stem cells. The hypothesis is that only a tiny proportion of cancer cells, cancer stem cells, have the stem cell-like ability to … Continue reading Cancer Stem Cells: Mouse studies lead to paradigm shift in cancer research

Shedding some light on the dark side of stem cells

In recent weeks we have discussed the potential of stem cells in developing new therapies, but stem cells also have a more sinister side.  Over the past decade scientists have become increasingly interested in the possibility that in many, perhaps most, cancers there is a small population of cells that are the only tumour cells … Continue reading Shedding some light on the dark side of stem cells