Massachusetts General Hospital

"Good" cells can go "bad" in a "bad neighborhood"

Blood stem cell study provides new insight into cancer development

21/Mar/2010

The general theory of cancer development holds that malignancies occur because of the presence of certain genetic elements within the affected cells.

But a new study by Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital indicates that "good" cells can become cancerous because of exposure to a "bad" environment within the body -- similarly to the way a "good boy" may turn to crime when exposed to the pressures of life in a crime-ridden neighborhood.

Link to full Harvard Stem Cell Institute article.

Media Contacts: Sue McGreevey, 617 724-2764, smcgreevey@partners.org