November 19, 2014

Breast cancers are thought to be organized hierarchically with a small number of breast cancer stem cells able to regrow a tumor while their previous cells lack this ability.  The authors of this study found that ionizing radiation reprogrammed differentiated breast cancer cells into induced breast cancer stem cells.  They concluded that radiation may induce a breast cancer stem cell phenotype in differentiated breast cancer cells and that this mechanism contributes to increased breast cancer stem cell numbers seen after classic anticancer treatment.

Here is the link to the study:

Radiation-Induced Reprogramming of Breast Cancer Cells

God bless you and to your good health!

Joyce Gibb MS, CRNP