The new methodology measures tumor aggressiveness and the risk of relapse, helping doctors plan treatment.

Every day, stem cells in our bone marrow produce billions of new red blood cells. Any disruption in this process can result in serious disease. Researchers have succeeded in furthering our understanding of how blood cells are formed. Their insights into the molecular foundations of this process may help break new ground in the treatment of certain types of anemia.

Researchers have developed the first fluorescent sensor to visualize TICs. Functional in lung, central nervous system, melanoma, breast, renal, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer cell cultures, this could become a useful tool for biopsy-free post-treatment assessment and anti-TIC drug development.

Brain tumors are responsible for 25 percent of cancer-related deaths in children and young adults. Despite initial response to treatment, most aggressive brain tumors eventually recur and are ultimately incurable. Multiple studies suggest that cancer stem cells within these tumors resist therapy and are responsible for tumor recurrences. Researchers have devised a strategy to treat these tumors by...

Scientists discovered that boosting mice’s cholesterol levels spurred intestinal stem cells to divide more quickly, enabling tumors to form 100 times faster. The study identifies a molecular pathway that could serve as a new drug target for colon cancer treatment.

Stem cell researchers have reversed Prader-Willi syndrome in brain cells growing in the lab. The discovery provides clues that could lead to a treatment for Prader-Willi, a genetic disorder that silences genes necessary for normal brain function. Prader-Willi occurs in about one out of every 15,000 births, and is the most common genetic cause of life-threatening childhood obesity.

Scientists have discovered that the survival of cancer stem cells is dependent on the ‘Hedgehog signaling pathway’. Targeting this pathway had previously shown no effect on the growth of colorectal cancer. Now, scientists have demonstrated that using different drugs to target a specific aspect of the pathway may yield better treatment outcomes for patients.