Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Protein in Embryonic Stem Cells Controls Malignant Tumor Cells

Source: Northwestern University
Date: March 11, 2008

Summary:

A protein that governs development of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) also inhibits the growth and spread of malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, Northwestern University researchers have discovered. Metastatic melanoma, which develops from the transformation of skin pigment cells or melanocytes, has a death rate of more than 80 percent and a median survival of less than 7.5 months.