Scientists Use Ips Tech On Cancer Cells
A team of Japanese researchers say they have found a method by which induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells can be created from cancer cells. They expect it will help screen candidate drugs for new cancer treatments.
Cancer cells are generally known to be resistant to reprogramming into iPS cells using the same methods as those applied to ordinary cells.
Researchers including Professor Yamada Yasuhiro of the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science say they found in experiments using mice that iPS cells can be generated from cancer cells by using drugs to stop the work of oncogenes, or genes that can cause the growth of cancer cells.
The group says the finding can be applied to gauge the effectiveness of candidate drugs for cancer by adding them to cancer cells and studying whether iPS cells are generated.
The group says it has already identified drugs that could be used to treat a cancer known as clear cell sarcoma.
Professor Yamada says his group started the study to find out why iPS cells cannot be created from cancer cells.
He said that he hopes to develop the research and deliver results to patients.