Possible Strategies to Reduce the Tumorigenic Risk of Reprogrammed Normal and Cancer Cells

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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
07:08

Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets

Published on: February 2, 2024

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Ying-Chu Lin1, Cha-Chien Ku2,3,4, Kenly Wuputra2,3,4,5

  • 1School of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offers regenerative medicine potential. Research focuses on reducing iPSC tumorigenicity and enhancing safety for clinical applications.

Area of Science:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells holds promise for tissue regeneration and transplantation.
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) express embryonic stem cell markers and can differentiate into various cell types.
  • Challenges include tumorigenicity, immunogenicity, and cell population heterogeneity, hindering therapeutic use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in reducing the tumorigenic risk of iPSCs and iPSC-derived organoids.
  • To highlight strategies for increasing the safety of iPSC preparation and therapeutic application.
  • To explore chemical induction of iPSCs as a safe, clinical-grade manufacturing strategy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on iPSC generation and safety.
  • Analysis of chemical induction methods for iPSC generation from human fibroblasts.
  • Examination of strategies to mitigate genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with tumorigenicity.

Main Results:

  • Chemical induction offers a safe, easy, and clinical-grade manufacturing strategy for iPSCs.
  • Progress has been made in decreasing the tumorigenic potential of iPSCs and iPSC-derived organoids.
  • Understanding genetic and epigenetic factors influencing stemness gene mutations is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • iPSC technology is advancing towards safer and more effective regenerative therapies.
  • Chemical induction represents a promising route for clinical translation of reprogramming therapy.
  • Continued research is essential to overcome safety concerns and maximize therapeutic benefits of iPSCs.
Keywords:
induced pluripotent stem cellsorganoidsregenerative medicinereprogrammingtherapeutic applicationtumorigenic risk

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