Study identifying cell of origin for large, disfiguring nerve tumors lays groundwork for development of new therapies

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have determined the specific type of cell that gives rise to large, disfiguring tumors called plexiform neurofibromas, a finding that could lead to new therapies for preventing growth of these tumors. "If we can isolate and grow the cells of origin for neurofibromas, then we can reconstruct the biological steps that lead these original cells to tumor stage,” said Dr. Le, a member of the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center. “Once we know the critical steps in the process, then we can design inhibitors to block each step in an effort to prevent or slow tumor formation.” Read more here.