From the Desk of Dr. Lenz
Cancer Stem Cells
Looking into the future, I have no doubt that we will use colon cancer stem cells to find more effective therapies for colon cancer patients and develop novel chemoprevention strategies.
I am collaborating with a basic scientist, Michael Kahn, from the USC Stem Cell Institute. He moved from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to USC to develop novel strategies for cancer stem cells. As many of you know, California will spend over $3 billion over the next 10 years on stem cell research. I have no doubt in my mind that California will be the world leader in a couple of of years in stem cell research and the development of new therapies for a lot of different disorders including cancer.
Recently it has been shown that is possible to isolate cancer stem cells from patients with colon cancer. A group in Toronto (O’Brien) and in Italy (Ricci) were able to isolate tumor cells from colon cancer patients which were able to initiate growth in vitro and in vivo.
Over the last 6 months we have started to isolate CD133+ cells from our patients undergoing surgery for their primary tumor and liver metastases. Of course we ask for permission, and patients sign an informed consent. We have been successful isolating these colon cancer stem cells and growing them in the laboratory.
The most important fact is that Dr. Kahn has developed a very promising drug to treat these colon cancer stem cells effectively. We are so excited to be able to work with him and develop this drug for our patients. Both laboratories (Dr. Kahn’s and mine) are working around the clock to advance the understanding how colon cancer stem cells work and how important they are in the clinic.
To simplify their role in the treatment of colon cancer, imagine a tree with leaves. In many cases with chemotherapy we can remove the leaves from the tree but not take out the tree’s trunk, and the tree will grow back. We have a similar situation in patients with colon cancer. We often can shrink the tumor, but in many cases the tumor grows back, mainly because of the stem cells which are very resistant to chemotherapy.
We need a completely different treatment approach to eradicate them. One of these approaches is ICG-001 which Dr. Kahn developed. So far we have not seen any toxicity but have seen interesting effects on CD133+ cells and development of metastases.
It is critical in the future to understand these colon cancer stem cells to be able to identify better therapeutic strategies for patients with colon cancer. USC is on the forefront of this research and we are very excited about the recent progress of our research in colon cancer stem cells.
This news article was originally posted on February 16th, 2009 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.
Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on February 16th, 2009
Tags: stem cells, Treating Colorectal Cancer
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Vicki
February 22, 2009 at 7:46pm
I’m looking for hope! I have stage 4 colon cancer and hadf tumor 6 inchres of my colon out 35 lympnodes our 5 hadf cancer and had my right side of my liver removed and 5 cancer tumers burn out with radio frequency ablation. Its been over 6 weeks and I feel good. I’m having a ct scan next week and am back on chemo Any hope?
Heinz-Josef Lenz
February 22, 2009 at 8:59pm
Vicki it seems you did well with this big surgery taking out your tumor lymph nodes and liver tumors. Off course there is hope that the surgery was successfull and that the chemotherapy will do the rest, however there is no garantee, but no doubt that there is hope to best this disease. For now i hope the CT scan looks clean and you can start wiht your chemotherapy soon. HJL
Andrew
March 12, 2009 at 9:14am
Any Help? My mom in sept had a tumor removed from her colon (stage 1) and all 13 lymph nodes were removed and unremarkable things looked good, since then the cancer has matastasized to the liver and cannot be resected and now is also in lungs. Only treatment being advised is folfox6 with Bevacizumab. Any suggestions?
Heinz-Josef Lenz
March 12, 2009 at 10:32am
Andrew sorry to hear about your moms colon cancer. FOLFOX bevacizumab is the right treatment. hopefully it is effective. It is rare that stage I disease can metastasize but have seen it. HJL
Kathy
March 14, 2009 at 10:05am
My brother is a 47 year old man that was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer on 12/1/08. Every 21 days he has gone through intense chemo. He also takes chemo pills for 14 days and radiation. His condition has worsened. More tumors have developed. It’s as if the cancer liked the chemo. Any suggestions?
Diane
March 14, 2009 at 3:08pm
The same man Kathy (above) writes about is my brother also. I am wondering if there is any type of stem cell that can be offered to our brother. With your and Michael Kahn’s research along with the medicine that Mr. Kahn has developed – I am wondering if there is anything you can do or suggest as far as treatment. He isn’t undergoing or about to undergo any types of surgery at this point. The cancer has spread to his lung, spine and various other “hot spots”. I would welcome the opprtunity to speak with you so if you email me at the email address I have provided – I can email you back with my telephone number and give you more details.
Diane
March 14, 2009 at 3:09pm
PS – our brother lives in Ventura County, CA – just north of Los Angeles.
Heinz-Josef Lenz
March 15, 2009 at 11:40am
Kathy and Diane,
sorry could not respond to you earlier since i was the chair of a conference on GI tumors in pasadena on saturday. For colon cancer there are 6 drugs approved with shown benefit for patients, these drugs should be used before clinical trials should be considered. There are a number of clinical trials testing novel compounds however the efficacy is not established despite sounding very exciting and sexy. More than happy to talk to you, just call my office.
Melanie
March 26, 2009 at 4:20pm
This article states, “The most important fact is that Dr. Kahn has developed a very promising drug to treat these colon cancer stem cells effectively”. What is the name of this drug and it is FDA approved? Is it readily availabe in other countries? Please advise.
Heinz-Josef Lenz
March 26, 2009 at 4:53pm
this drug is called ICG001 and will be in for first time in the clinic by the end of this year. HJL
wendy hammond
August 5, 2009 at 12:17pm
my mother has stage 4 colon mestasis to her liver.she can’t have the dye to see the tumors.She has chemo every 2 weeks for 3 days at a time.what else can be done to help her?can you offer any help at this time? i don’t feel enough is being done.Thank you wendy
Heinz Josef Lenz
August 5, 2009 at 12:33pm
she should consider to do a MRI or PET scan to help to visualize the tumors. HJL
Barbi
August 16, 2009 at 9:16pm
Dr Lenz,
My dad 66 years old, is stage 4 diagnosed nov 07. He had mets to liver. He completed 6 months avastin, oxiliplatin and xeloda. He then had a negative PET , no cancer. Reoccurance 6 months later in liver. Completed 6 months erbitux, camptosar, xeloda. Tumors shrunk, but then in 3 months they grew and mets to lung. We went to MD Anderson and they red going back on avastin regiment. He has complted 2 treatments and they are telling us he is going into liver failure ( jaundice, hypoglycemic) and to discontinue therapy. Thoughts? Are there any other chemos or alternative therapy thatis not so harsh on the liver? He is a tough man, the past 2 months have been rough on him, but we don’t want to give up and are open to options. Thank you for your time, research, compassion and for all your hard work! Barbi
Heinz Josef Lenz
August 16, 2009 at 11:03pm
very difficult to give advise for a complicated case like this if my colleagues from MD Anderson recommend no further therapy makes me wonder whether there is furthre therapy possible…..what is the liver function, bilirubin etc….there are liver dysfunction trial testing new drugs in patients whose liver function is not good. discuss with your oncologists. HJL
Marta
August 29, 2009 at 8:45pm
Dr. Lenz,
Thank you for all your good work to try to find answers for colon cancer patients. Does ICG-001 have utility in rectal cancers as well? As you know,the work you and Dr. Kahn are doing is key. Better efficacy and more tolerable drugs/treatments are greatly needed. I am a stage IV rectal cancer patient looking for better treatment options. Thank you for your dedication to this effort. I look forward to hearing back from you, Marta
Heinz-Josef Lenz
August 30, 2009 at 11:33am
it should work for colon and rectal cancer we have also data for pancreas and specific leucemias it is a very exciting drug, we cant wait to get it into the clinic. HJL
Ryan
September 18, 2009 at 3:22am
Dr. Lenz,
Thanks for you hard work in fighting this disease. I was just wondering if you could give me an update on the progress of ICG-001. What has been accomplished since your post on 2-16-09? What still needs to be done before clinical trials begin? When do you expect clinical trials to start?
Ryan
Heinz-Josef Lenz
September 18, 2009 at 10:35am
we are filing the IND we estimated we have the clincical trial open first quarter of 2010. HJL
tracy
September 22, 2009 at 11:01am
Hi there,
I have stored my son’s stem cells at his birth. Looks like my dad has colan cancer although we are still waiting on the results. Can my son’s stem cells be used to help my dad?
Thanks!
Ping Fu
September 30, 2009 at 11:29pm
Hi, Dr.lenz: I have heard that stem cells from umbilical cord can be injected into baby’s father to treat colon cancer. Is it true? And how does it work? Is anyone using it in clinic on patients? Please advise. Thank you.
Ping Fu
Heinz-Josef Lenz
September 30, 2009 at 11:41pm
so far have not heard that embryonic stem cells have been used for treating cancer and not clear how it would work HJL
wendy hammond
October 2, 2009 at 11:16am
Dear Dr Lenz,
Thank you for answering my letter to you concerning my mother who has colon cancer mestasis to her liver.She has had an MRI.Her timors have spread to her lungs now and will not stop so her Doctor says.I believe there is more that can be done but we need help now.Do you have an answer for us?Can stem cells help her?What can we do now?Can I use my stem cells to help her?Thank you. Wendy
Heinz Josef Lenz
October 2, 2009 at 2:01pm
Sorry to hear about the cancer growth in your mother. Stem Cell therapy is not ready yet however you should get second opinions about clinical trials ongoing in a cancer center near you. Hope this helps.
Ryan
December 5, 2009 at 3:55pm
Dr. Lenz,
Last I heard was that you estimated clinical trials to be open for ICG-001 in the first quarter of 2010. Is everything still on track to meet this goal? Do you know what the requirements will be to join this trial?
thanks,
Ryan
Rose J Soldevilla
January 26, 2010 at 10:04am
One of my family members is suffering from Stage IV Colorectal Adenocarcinoma. She is scheduled for surgery and colostomy due to the obstruction of the tumor. She is still hoping to be able to try your Stem Cell Therapy after her surgery. When will it be available?
lura
April 6, 2010 at 10:35am
my sister had radiation last year (2009) for colon cancer. now a yr. later the Doc. finds 3 nogles in her lung. 2 on the right side and 1 on the upper left near her heart. they say her chance of survival is very small. im willing to try anything for her @ this point. I will take any suggestions. we r in NC. thank you so much!!!