Gijón(Asturias) Spain - Jove researchers isolate stem cells that hinder breast tumors

Jove researchers isolate stem cells that hinder breast tumors
The crop is obtained through a common cytology and could be applied to other types of aggressive cancers, healing from wounds or ulcers of the eye
08.10.2014 | 04:39


Belén Fernández, standing, Noemí Eiró, working in the laboratory of the Hospital of Jove Gijón Asturias Spain. ÁNGEL GONZÁLEZ
Photos of the Noticialujan PALACES a line of research opened by the Hospital Foundation of Jove, in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela, has shown the efficiency of uterine stem cells as inhibitor of the growth of tumors in the case of the more aggressive breast cancer. Work has just been published in the international scientific journal "Oncotarget", one of the most important in this field, and has also received the prize for the best scientific communication in the Fourth World Congress on cell science and stem cell research held in June in Valencia.
Studies carried out in Gijón has relied on funding from the Foundation for research with uterine mother cells (FICEMU) and it has served to isolate stem cells that meet various features that "make them enormously interesting and valuable", in the words of Dr. Francisco Vizoso, head of the research unit of Jove. First of all it's stem cells "which are obtained in an easy and painless", because for one it shows just a brushing of the cervix, which is performed in routine Pap smears of control to which women are subjected. In addition, these cells have demonstrated "a very rapid growth; in less than 48 hours they become double", explained Dr. Noemí Eiró, researcher at the hospital of Jove yesterday.
But the fundamental of this cell type characteristic is that they are able to secrete substances, scientifically called conditioned medium, which have the property of inhibiting growth "in vitro" and animals of breast tumors. For this purpose it has experienced with cultures of patients operated for breast cancer tumors and mouse, that they have induced tumors which, with the application of these substances secreted by stem cells, have stopped growing "and even a small reduction has appreciated." In addition to all the conditioned medium generated by this cell type will help cut the proliferation of tumor cells (metastasis) and also favors the programmed cell death, in addition to having anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers have also found that these secretions can be reduced to powder and "maintain their properties, which opens up a huge field to research with stem cells, not only in cancer", pointed out yesterday the doctor Roberto Montesano, collaborator in the project. In fact, being considered already a possible use in pressure ulcer healing in the eyes, in the treatment of other cancers such as the ovaries, as well as in the treatment of wounds for his powerful healing and antibacterial.
Dr. Román Pérez, head of research from Santiago de Compostela, noted for its part that, for the moment, what has been done is "open an important line of research," which hope to join new groups and the pharmaceutical industry. When the first clinical trials with patients may be, nor when you can develop is not yet known a drug applicable from these cells, since it's development in the long run. But the researchers are "really hopeful" with the "big step" that has already taken place.
And the Rotary Club of Gijón has selected this research as a beneficiary of the amount raised at the charity dinner which will be held on November 29 in a hotel in the city. One boost to a project "with a great future".