Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells

US7115360B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Michael F. Clarke · Ann Arbor, US
• Sean Morrison · Ann Arbor, US
• Max S. Wicha · Ann Arbor, US
• Muhammad Al-Hajj · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 2, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 3, 2006
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2503/02
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell.