Stem Cells in Lung Cancer | California’s Stem Cell Agency

Statement of Benefit to California:

According to the Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, 13,427 people died of lung cancer in the state of California in 2005. This is more than the deaths attributed to breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. The devastating effects of this disease on the citizens of California and the health care costs involved are enormous. Most cases of lung cancer occur in smokers, but non smokers, people exposed to second hand smoke and ex-smokers are also at risk. In addition, of special concern to California residents, is that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Current therapeutic strategies for lung cancer are in general only able to prolong survival by a few months, especially for late stage disease. One reason for this may be that the cancer initiating stem cell is resistant to these therapies. Understanding the stem cell populations involved in repair of the lung and how these cells may give rise to lung cancer is important for potentially generating new therapeutic targets for lung cancer. We propose to study the stem cell populations of the lung that are crucial for normal airway repair and characterize the putative cancer initiating stem cell in the lung. We have also found stem cells in the blood that are critical for normal airway repair and we plan to test their role in the prevention of premalignant lung cancer lesions. We also plan to test whether levels of these stem cells in the blood may be used as a biomarker of lung cancer. Ultimately, the ability to perform a screening test to detect lung cancer at an early stage, and the development of new therapies for lung cancer will be of major benefit to the citizens of California.

Link:

Stem Cells in Lung Cancer | California's Stem Cell Agency