Cancer is one disease which has affected humans since long. Though scientists have since long worked on its cure and have got encouraging results too but clinical success is yet to come in severe cases. Chemotherapy and strong drugs is what is used in the present time to cure cancer. Though helpful these forms of curing cancer can take its toll on the patient. These methods of curing cancer are very harsh and strong causing serious damage and side effects to the patient. Stem cell’s have been used to repair the damaged tissues and cells which have been damaged because of chemotherapy. Cancer therapy makes use of stem cells for immune-reconstruction. The self renewal capacity as well as well as their high replication ability makes them very useful for cancer therapy.
Embryonic stem cells, germinal stem cell as well as somatic/ adult stem cells are the three types of stem cells which are found in humans. Adult stem cells are the type of stem cells which are mostly used towards cancer therapy. The stem cells for use here are generally derived from the bone marrow. These cells are usually haemopoietic stem cells , mesenchymal stem cells as well as multipotent adult progenitor cells. If seen generally then it would be expected that embryonic stem cells should be the most preferred source of stem cells towards gene therapy. This is assumed because of the high replication factor that they possess. But this is not the case mostly. Use of embryonic stem cells is bound by ethical issues as these stem cells are derived from embryo’s. Therefore adult stem cells remain the first choice for cancer therapy.
Cancer Gene Theory Explained
Another upcoming field is that of cancer gene therapy. Cancer cells in all respect are normal cells apart from the fact that they multiply uncontrollably. These cancer cells can be controlled by the use of cancer gene therapy. This technique of cancer gene therapy induces the use of the stem cells to transfer genetic material to these cancer cells in order to avoid their abnormal behavior or in cases to induce cell death. Stem cells are used in gene therapy to transfer genetic material to the cancerous cells in a bid to stop them from causing more damage. Stem cells are used as vectors here in gene therapy in order to bring about the desired changes. Though at its initial stage, this field of gene therapy to cure cancer is a very encouraging and promising prospect.
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