Find weeds out cancerous stem cells

Dan Box
February 27, 2006

AUSTRALIAN scientists have overcome a hurdle in the evolution of embryonic stem cell technology by devising a means of weeding out cells that are potentially cancerous.

The research, published in the March edition of Nature magazine, represents a breakthrough for the technology, whose critics have used this instability to argue stem cell research be halted.

While the use of human embryonic stem cells, which can develop into any human cell, may offer great opportunities in medicine, the research has proved controversial with some arguing it is morally unacceptable.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Stem Cell Centre in Victoria, Michelle Singe, said the discovery would allow scientists to identify which stem cells were beginning to develop the abnormalities that preceded the cell becoming cancerous.

"It doesn't mean that we have control, but it means that we have a big piece of the puzzle," Ms Singe said.

"At least now we can see the cell is changing and we can ask what it is in the culture or the environment causing that change.

"The reason that it's so significant is the people who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research often quote the fact that scientists have no control over stem cells when they develop and a lot of them develop tumours."

Led by the centre's Professor Martin Pera, the research team also believes the discovery may allow abnormal cells to be identified and then purged, maintaining the health of stem cell cultures.

The scientists, including researchers from Monash Institute of Medical Research and Monash University, have identified how a cellular marker known as CD30 -- present on all embryonic stem cells -- changes when those cells develop abnormalities.

The research comes after scientists from around the world met in Cambridge to agree on a set of international guidelines to ensure the ethical practice of stem cell technology.

This was the first time researchers from the 14 countries engaged in the research had met to establish guidelines by which they agreed to abide.

In the past, international co-operation has been hindered by conflicting national rules.