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March 14, 2007

New Type Of Cancer Cell Discovered

Topics: Medical Science News

Scientists have reported the discovery of a type of cell that appears to play a role in the development of cancer:

A team of Ohio State University researchers, led by Jian-Xin Gao, identified the cells they call precancerous stem cells, or pCSCs, that can either remain benign or become malignant, depending upon environmental cues.

Gao said the finding might help define the role of cancer stem cells in the growth and recurrence of the disease, as well as offer new options for cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

"These hybrid cells are very complex. They have properties of normal and abnormal stem cells and do not always lead to cancer," said Gao. "These cells appear to be a whole new class of cells involved in the development of cancer."

Posted by Richard at March 14, 2007 11:29 PM

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