How do stem cells create tumors? Manipulating signaling mechanisms can toggle tumor growth up and down

December 13, 2013

Years of research have highlighted the opportunities mesenchymal stem cells — traditionally found in bone marrow — present. These include the growth of skin, a liver, and even teeth. But according to a new study, these cells, which are promising for organ growth and disease treatment, may also have the opposite effect, at least in the mouth, where researchers recently found that epigenetic changes in cell signaling can cause healthy stem cells to grow into benign tumors in the jaw’s tissue — also known as fibroma tumors. (Medical Daily)