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Johns Hopkins University Researchers Discover New Insights in Stem Cells, Cancer Surveillance, and Colon Cancer Prevention

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made significant breakthroughs in the fields of stem cells, cancer surveillance, and colon cancer prevention. Study 1 explores the expansion of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in a 3-dimensional scaffold with surface-immobilized fibronectin, demonstrating a synergistic effect that enhances cell expansion efficiency. Study 2 investigates missing data in Maryland cancer surveillance records, revealing systematic influences on missing stage and grade, which could be addressed through case-control follow-back studies. Study 3 finds that aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may inhibit the development of colon cancer by inducing the expression of spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), a rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine catabolism.

Key Takeaways:

  • Study 1 demonstrated the use of a 3-dimensional scaffold with surface-immobilized fibronectin for the efficient expansion of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, with a 100-fold expansion of CD34+ cells in 10 days.
  • The expanded cells successfully reconstituted hematopoiesis in NOD/SCID mice, highlighting the potential of this method for ex vivo expansion of HSPCs.
  • Study 2 found that missing data in cancer surveillance records are influenced by factors such as older age, black race, and higher county-level median income, with systematic influences on missing stage and grade.
  • The researchers suggested that case-control follow-back studies could be used to investigate these influences and improve data quality.
  • Study 3 showed that aspirin and NSAIDs can induce SSAT gene expression in Caco-2 cells, leading to increased SSAT protein levels and enzyme activity, which is associated with decreased carcinogenesis.
  • The study suggested that activation of SSAT by aspirin and NSAIDs may play a key role in their chemopreventive actions in colorectal cancer.

Statistics:

  • The expanded cells in Study 1 showed a 100-fold increase in CD34+ cells in 10 days.
  • The NOD/SCID mice reconstituted with the expanded cells showed successful hematopoiesis.
  • The study in Maryland cancer surveillance records analyzed 22,217 prostate cancer cases, with 6 to 2 clusters of missing stage and 3 to 0 clusters of missing grade after adjustment.
  • The likelihood of missing stage increased with older age, black race, and higher county-level median income.
  • The likelihood of missing grade increased with older age, missing or later stage, and higher blockgroup-level median income.
  • Aspirin treatment led to a 47-fold increase in SSAT mRNA levels and a 3.5-fold increase in SSAT protein levels in Study 3.

Sources:

  • Feng, Q., et al. (2006). Expansion of engrafting human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in 3-dimensional scaffolds with surface-immobilized fibronectin. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 78A(4), 781-791.
  • Klassen, A. C., et al. (2006). Missing stage and grade in Maryland prostate cancer surveillance data, 1992-1997. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30(2 Suppl. S), S77-S87.
  • Babbar, N., et al. (2006). Induction of spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) by aspirin in Caco-2 colon cancer cells. Biochemical Journal, 394(Part 1), 317-324.

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