Stem cells are a special type of cells that have the capacity to self-renew indefinitely and can give rise to multiple cell lineages. They are present throughout life and vary in their potential for further specialization. Some can give rise to all tissue types (pluripotent) while others are restricted to the cell types within one organ.
The potential for these advanced cell therapies to completely change the treatment of diseases is immense. However, to date, the overall number of proven stem cell therapies remain small. They also require rigorous scientific and clinical evaluations.
For brain tumours, some experimental approaches are being studied. They include the replacement of the source of brain tumour stem cells within the brain in an area called the sub-ventricular zone. Once replaced, these brain tumours will be less likely to recur.
Other trial approaches use immune stem cells to repopulate the immune cells that are destroyed when patients are given high dose chemotherapy. This would, for example, allow doctors to give higher doses of these drug.
For best results, most brain tumours will respond to a combination of surgery followed by a course of chemotherapy and radiation.
