Birthmark research could treat infant tumours
24 Jun, 2009
Source: Victoria University of Wellington
Stem cells may play an important role in the growth of common infant tumours known as haemangioma, research conducted by a PhD graduate from Victoria University suggests.
Anasuya Vishvanath says, in the future, these stem cells could also be used as a more effective treatment for the tumours.
Haemangioma (or strawberry birthmarks) are benign tumours caused by the abnormal growth of blood vessels. They grow rapidly for the first year of life and then are gradually replaced with fatty tissue over the next 5–7 years. They are most common in Caucasian girls.
Ms Vishvanath’s research identified key genes that are critical in the growth of haemangioma and also isolated stem cells from them. These stem cells were then grown into bone and fat cells.
“This allowed me to develop a model using stem cells that better explains the natural progression of these benign tumours,” she explains.
Using tissue biopsies grown in cell culture, Ms Vishvanath has identified a potential new treatment option that may inhibit stem cell growth and reduce the development of tumours.
