Skin cells harnessed as effective tool for killing brain cancer

A groundbreaking study has shown how normal skin cells can be turned into stem cells with the capability to combat cancer.

Skin cells known as fibroblasts were reprogrammed to become induced neural stem cells that demonstrate an innate ability to move through the brain and target cancer cells. They can also be engineered to produce a tumour-killing protein.

The technique, pioneered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been shown to be effective in eliminating the remnants left behind when a brain tumour is surgically removed.

In a study conducted among mice with brain cancer, this method was shown to increase the survival time of the mice 160 to 220 percent. Trials of human stem cells will begin soon.

This represents the latest evolution of stem cell technology that was presented with the Nobel Prize in 2012.

Dr Shawn Hingtgen, an assistant professor for the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said: "This is the first time this direct reprogramming technology has been used to treat cancer."