Genetically modified cells attack tumors

Source: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Date: December 21, 2006

Summary:

St. Jude researchers show genetically modified stem cells in the nervous system actively seek out even tiny tumors. Mice with neuroblastoma tumors have been successfully treated with genetically modified cells that sought out the cancer cells and activated a chemotherapy drug directly at those sites, according to investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their colleagues at City of Hope National Medical Center (Duarte, Calif.) and the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor that arises in the part of the nervous system outside the brain.