Local scientists believe the controversial “cancer stem cell” is real and studying it could save millions of Americans. On Thursday, at the annual Research Matters conference, scientists from cancer centers at Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland School of Medicine, discussed the problems and successes of ongoing cancer stem cell research in Maryland.
“It’s becoming very clear cancer stem cells do exist, fuel the growth of cancer and escape conventional treatments. In order for new treatments to be curative, we need to take into account the different biology cancer stem cells have from mature cancer cells,” said Dr. Kevin Cullen, director of University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dr. Angelika Burger, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, likened groundbreaking cancer stem cell therapies to killing the root of a dandelion, rather than “mowing along to get surface problems.”
“We are refocusing our efforts from treating mature cells to treat the cancer stem cells themselves in order to obtain cures,” Burger said.
However, scientists at Hopkins and the Maryland School of Medicine presented this emerging information with a caveat.
“The potential is there but it will not be an overnight success. Hopefully, the next generation will benefit from the fruits of our work,” said Dr. Joseph Bertino, the keynote speaker at Research Matters and a leading authority on stem cells from The Cancer Institute in New Jersey.
Several promising treatments based on cancer stem cell research have not been proven in clinical trials, said Dr. William Matsui, an associate professor at Hopkins.
“If we can do something in the patients, then we’ll know for certain the future of therapies,” he said.
The Maryland General Assembly recently approved a $15 million grant for adult and embryonic stem cell research. A 15-member commission will distribute the money among research companies and scientists within the state. The application deadline to receive grant money is January. The Cigarette Restitution Fund sponsored Thursday’s event. The CRF was established with money awarded to Maryland from the 1999 multistate lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers.
