A new study has found that there are immune cells, known as myeloid derived suppressor cells, that provide a niche where cancer stem cells survive.
The study, published by the Immunity journal, reports that cancer stem cells are thought to be resistant to current chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and researchers believe that killing the cancer stem cells is crucial for eliminating cancer, Prensa Latina reported on Friday.
Researchers looked at cells from the most common and lethal type of ovarian cancer, a disease in which patients often become resistant to chemotherapy, causing the cancer to return. (Also read: How our immune cells are born)
The researchers also said that if a therapy to combat the function of these cells could be identified, it would be possible to eliminate the immune suppression that helps support the cancer.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal or malignant cells in the body that multiply autonomously, invading other tissues both near and far from the source.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. In a healthy body – cells grow, die and are replaced in a very controlled way. Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental or internal factors result in cells that don’t die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer or a tumour develops. Most cancer related deaths are due to metastasis, malignant cells that penetrate into the circulatory system and establish colonies in other parts of the body. Great advancements have been made but cancer is still leading cause of death for people under 85.
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