Stem cells and frontiers of therapeutic advances in cancer.
Cancer is a dreadful disease characterized by unscheduled and uncontrolled abnormal cell proliferation. The cause(s) of cancer incidence are varied and involve multiple etiological factors. Recent studies provided ample evidences that apart from the chemo- and radio-therapeutic approaches, the immunological defense can be manipulated as an effective therapeutic module by directing immuno-competent cells against the cancer target. This ultimately constituted the anti-cancer cytotherapy or cell therapy, which included the natural killer (NK) cells, specifically directed cytotoxic cells, dendritic cells and other immune-killer cells. Stem cells, above all, occupied the most important position by contributing to the constituent cellular potential on one hand, and, secondly, acting as a docile vehicle for targeted gene therapy. Worldwide, attempts are now being made to achieve successful therapeutic approaches with stem cells against both haematological malignancies as well as various solid tumors. The adult stem cell corpuscular therapy has been reported to be the most inspiring and safe module for cancer therapy.
Chaudhuri
S
S
Immunology e Immunohaematology Lab., Dept. of Haematology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicin, Kolkata, India. samc2009@rediffmail.com
Law
Sujata
S
D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*