Researchers Gain Insight Into Childhood Eye Tumor Retinoblastoma
August 17, 2011
Researchers at St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital have determined that, unlike other cancers that resemble a particular type of cell, retinoblastoma (a tumor of the retina that primarily afflicts infants and toddlers) is a hybrid cell with elements of at least three different cell types: amacrine and horizontal interneurons, retinal progenitor cells, and photoreceptors.
Researchers also studied the developmental pathways of these cancerous cells. Surprisingly, unlike in other cancers, they found very few genetic changes distinguishing the malignant cells from normal cells.
These findings have therapeutic value insofar as chemotherapy agents are increasingly designed against particular molecular pathways active in cancer cells.
Click here to read the full release regarding the study.
You might also enjoy...
- Researchers Grow Retina Cells from Stem Cells from Skin
- Researchers Use Non-Viral Gene Therapy to Prevent Retinal Degeneration
- Researchers Use Stem Cells Cultured on Contact Lens to Restore Sight to Sufferers of Blinding Corneal Diseases
- Advanced Cell Technology, OHSU Researchers Show Safety, Efficacy of Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC)-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)
- Is Stem Cell Therapy for Macular Degeneration Close to Reality?
Comments
Jump down to form below to submit your own comments
