cancer stem cells: anyone talking about it?

Rich66 · 07-09-2009, 01:48 PM

It's clear we need a treatment paradigm shift. Anyone bringing this up to their oncs.?

StephN · 07-09-2009, 02:24 PM

Hello Rich -
Finally got a moment where I could concentrate on the article in the link above.
VERY INTERESTING! Goes much deeper into the science of what we have been dancing around in this thread.

The article is pointing out the need to develop therapies to target the STEM CELLS, which have different properties than the active cancer cells conventional agents are going after.

Those properties being 'quiescenc," or the ability to lay low for a long period of time, and resistence.

Being so strongly HER2 positive has worked in my favor, I believe. Also, not having the added complication of being hormone positive. The Herceptin could hopefully attach to the stem cells and sit there shutting down their receptors until the cells finally died their natural death, however long that might take.

I will ask my med onc about those breast cancer stem cells markers mentioned in that article.

StephN · 07-13-2009, 11:18 AM

Answer on breast cancer stem cells serum test:

"There aren't currently any commercially available tests for cancer stem cells, it's all still research."

This was my impression from talking to a few people at the American Association of Cancer Researchers meeting last April in Denver. These marker tests take YEARS, even DECADES to gain acceptance and approval. Just because they are mentioned in a study des not mean my oncologist has access to it, as much as I would like it. If the results are not accurate or reliable then such a test would just confuse my decisions.