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Gastric cancer originating from bone marrow-derived cells
Jeanmarie Houghton1, Calin Stoicov, Sachiyo Nomura
1Department of Medicine and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. jeanmarie.houghton@umassmed.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 30, 2004
Summary
Chronic Helicobacter infection in mice can cause bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) to repopulate the stomach, leading to intraepithelial cancer. This suggests a new pathway for epithelial cancer development from marrow-derived sources.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Epithelial cancers are traditionally thought to arise from tissue stem cells.
- Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) infiltrate sites of injury and inflammation, raising questions about their role in malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) can serve as a source for epithelial cancers.
- To explore the role of chronic Helicobacter infection in BMDC recruitment and subsequent cancer development in the stomach.
Main Methods:
- Utilized C57BL/6 mice model.
- Induced chronic Helicobacter infection, a known carcinogen.
- Monitored BMDC recruitment, metaplasia, and dysplasia in the stomach lining.
Main Results:
- Acute injury or inflammation did not induce significant BMDC recruitment to the stomach.
- Chronic Helicobacter infection led to substantial BMDC repopulation in the stomach.
- Recruited BMDCs underwent metaplasia and dysplasia, progressing to intraepithelial cancer.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) can be a source of epithelial cancers, particularly under conditions of chronic inflammation.
- Findings challenge the traditional stem cell origin model and broaden the understanding of cancer multistep progression.
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