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Cancer stem cells provide new understanding of tumor development

The replenishers

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Pioneering thinker: Professor Otmar D. Wiestler from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is hoping that research into cancer stem cells will create new approaches to tumor therapy.

It has long been thought that cancer cells are immortal and that their ability to divide is limitless. Recent research findings have cast doubt upon this mindset, however. The scientific world is discussing whether tumors could originate from degenerated tissue stem cells. Nonetheless, there is still a considerable need for research to elucidate the mechanisms more precisely.

Cause the tumor to wither
Professor Otmar D. Wiestler, Board Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, is therefore calling for further research into cancer stem cell biology.

This could open up new treatment approaches targeted specifically at these cancer replenishers, thus causing tumors to wither away. Read an exclusive essay on this subject written by Professor Wiestler for research.