Stem cells are found in head and neck cancer

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

New research has identified cancer stem cells in head and neck tumors.
There is increasing interest in cancer stem cells, because it is thought that such self-renewing cells can drive the growth of a tumor. They have already been found in a number of different cancers. Now, for the first time, researchers at the University of Michigan reveal the presence of stem cells within head and neck cancers.

They took tumor samples from patients undergoing surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including cancers of the tongue, larynx, throat and sinus. Cells with a marker protein on their surface called CD44 were isolated and implanted into mice where new tumors grew. The CD44 cells were found to have stem cell properties, while those that did not bear CD44 did not. The work opens up a new target for head and neck cancer therapy - the stem cells. If these could be eradicated, then the tumor would not be able to recur.

Source
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 16th January 2007

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