© 2004 by Oxford University Press
© 2004 Oxford University Press
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Cell of Origin: Mouse Model Offers Insights Into Process of Malignancy
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When the final history of cancer research is one day written, retinoblastoma will deserve its own chapter. Studies of this rare childhood tumor have yielded the first widely accepted tumor progression model, the first cloned tumor suppressor gene, and several other firsts in basic cancer research.
Now, another first could be on the way. As recently published in Cancer Cell, Canadian scientists reported in mouse studies that they have identified the specific type of cell in the developing retina that produces retinoblastoma, noting when and why the trouble arises. With these data and other recent advances in modeling the tumor in mice, researchers in the field say they may soon be in the enviable position to track retinoblastoma in real time from initiation to metastasis, a long-standing goal of cancer researchers.
Although the finding still must be confirmed in follow-up studies, many say
it provides an excellent starting point
Grappling For Answers
Mighty Mouse