Glioblastomas' highly malignant tumors will now be easier to treat according to a group of researchers from the University of North Carolina. Recently, the group was able to create a breakthrough in stem-cell research and cancer treatment.
After conducting the study, the researchers were able to transform an ordinary skin cell into a cancer-killing stem cell which can open new doors for treating people with brain cancer. As stated by the Light House News Daily, these collagen-producing stem cells have the ability to search and kill cancer cells.
In fact, when the stem cells were clinically tested in mice, researchers found that the mice's condition has improved. By applying the treatment, the mice's chances of survival against the disease had increased by almost 160-220 percent.
Based on a research, glioblastoma's mortality rate is very high. As reported by News Max, even if the surgeon was able to successfully remove the tumor, only 30 percent of these people can last for more than two years.
"Patients desperately need a better standard of care," said Shawn Hingtgen, study lead researcher and an assistant professor in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center.
Meanwhile, the researchers are now planning to conduct another study soon. Their goal is to focus on other human stem cells and to test whether there are still other anti-cancer drugs which can be loaded to the stem cell they've recently discovered to create a more effective medication to treat cancer.
"We wanted to find out if these induced neural stem cells would home in on cancer cells and whether they could be used to deliver a therapeutic agent," said Hingtgen. "This is the first time this direct reprogramming technology has been used to treat cancer."
This could have been another breakthrough in science and health.
