Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model
Published on: February 17, 2019
Thyroid stem cells--danger or resource?
B Gibelli1, Ama El-Fattah, G Giugliano
1Head and Neck Surgery Department, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. bianca.gibelli@ieo.it
The thyroid gland has long since been known for its self-renewal ability, mainly in cases of hyperplastic disease such as goitre. Recently the amazing improvement in knowledge about stem cells has explained this potentiality. Some stem cell features and their clinical usefulness are summarized here, reviewing data from the literature: (1) the proven presence of adult stem cells in thyroid tissue, either normal, goitrous or neoplastic, bring with it important implications regarding tissue regeneration and oncogenesis; (2) modifying culture conditions and micro-environment stem cells have led to mature tissue with specialized functions. This has considerably changed the attitude of regenerative medicine and cancer research; (3) finally, identification of stem cells and stem cell markers in thyroid cancer, gives hope for the development of new therapeutic approaches in recurrent or treatment-resistant thyroid cancer.
The thyroid gland has long since been known for its self-renewal ability, mainly in cases of hyperplastic disease such as goitre. Recently the amazing improvement in knowledge about stem cells has explained this potentiality. Some stem cell features and their clinical usefulness are summarized here, reviewing data from the literature: (1) the proven presence of adult stem cells in thyroid tissue, either normal, goitrous or neoplastic, bring with it important implications regarding tissue regeneration and oncogenesis; (2) modifying culture conditions and micro-environment stem cells have led to mature tissue with specialized functions. This has considerably changed the attitude of regenerative medicine and cancer research; (3) finally, identification of stem cells and stem cell markers in thyroid cancer, gives hope for the development of new therapeutic approaches in recurrent or treatment-resistant thyroid cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells
However, failure of such a system...
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Stem Cell Culture
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...

