Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are commonly occurring, dangerous cancers that may originate from skin stem cells. By developing methods to identify the stem cells that will lead to cancer, Fuchs’ lab has been able to study how these cells differ from normal skin stem cells. They found that the gene expression profile in normal versus cancer stem cells is very different and is likely the result of differences in the cancer stem cell niche. The tumor microenvironment may include immune cells and greater proximity to TGF-beta secreting blood vessels. Fuchs’ lab showed that cancer stem cells exposed to TGF-beta had increased expression of proteins in the glutathione metabolism pathway; the same pathway which is involved in the breakdown of chemotherapy drugs. Further studies in SCC patients, showed a strong correlation between increased mRNA levels for glutathione pathway proteins and decreased survival. These results suggest that drugs which block TGF-beta activity, in combination with other chemotherapeutics, may be an effective therapy for some SCC.
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Skin Stem Cells: Their Biology and Promise for Medicine
Skin stem cells have great potential for the treatment of burns and corneal injuries. As Elaine Fuchs explains, understanding skin stem cell biology is also key to understanding cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma. (Talk recorded in December 2017)
- Part 1: Skin Stem Cells: Their Biology and Promise for Regenerative MedicineAudience:
- Student
- Researcher
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 44:20 - Part 2: Tapping the Potential of Adult Stem CellsAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 51:43 - Part 3: Cancer: Hijacking the Wound Repair Mechanisms Used by Stem CellsAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 23:39