Newly Found Stem Cell Causes Prostate Cancer: Mouse Study

Scientists in the United States, working with mice, have found a new type of stem cell in the prostate gland and shown that mutations in it can cause cancer, a study released Wednesday says. The discovery boosts evidence that cancers can be caused by modifications in stem cells, the dynamic precursor cells that develop into and replenish the body's specific tissues, it says. It also appears to resolve a mystery about the origin of prostate cancer, and could open new pathways for treatment of the deadly disease. "This is a new stem cell in the prostate, and our research shows that it can serve as a cell of origin for prostate cancer," said Cory Abate-Shen, a professor at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and...