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Cancer stem cells are at the root of almost all cancers
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (USA) have discovered how contact with arsenic can turn normal stem cells into cancer cells, stimulating the formation and growth of malignant tumors. It has previously been shown that inorganic arsenic entering drinking water is a carcinogen. More and more evidence is being found that in this case we can talk about an oncological disease caused by cancer stem cells. Healthy stem cells are important for normal tissue regeneration, while cancer cells are believed to be the driving force behind the formation, growth and spread of malignant tumors.
Michael Waalkes and his research team have already proven that healthy cells become malignant after being treated with inorganic arsenic. The new study has discovered something even more dangerous: when these cancer cells are nearby, without coming into direct contact with healthy cells, normal stem cells very quickly acquire the characteristics of cancer stem cells. This clearly demonstrates that cancer cells are capable of sending molecular signals through semi-permeable membranes and turning healthy stem cells into cancer cells. (What a new form of life! Normal cells are not capable of anything like this. Reading this, it is difficult to remain indifferent: and we have to deal with such an enemy... But seriously, the result of this study, if confirmed - the demonstrated ability of cancer stem cells to turn healthy cells into their own kind - will have the broadest implications for all of modern oncology and the most tragic for many patients, especially women. However, the root cause of the complications that have surfaced is somewhat encouraging - inorganic arsenic.)
The observation reveals a surprising and very important aspect of arsenic oncogenesis and should help explain why arsenic causes numerous tumors of various types - from skin to bone, which has long been known to oncologists.
The results of the study are described in an open-access article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Note. Stem cells are unique. They can exist for a very long time in the body, dividing and renewing themselves, and all this without oxygen supply, without relying on standard cellular energy mechanisms. Most oncological diseases develop over 30-40 years (!). And then comes the acute stage, the rapidity of which is doubly frightening (firstly, it is death, and secondly, it is fast and painful). Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the assumption that all (or almost all) oncological diseases are based on cancer stem cells. This also explains the phenomenon of prolonged consequences, when, having been exposed to toxins at a young age, a person leading a completely healthy lifestyle still faces cancer many years later, in his mature years.
In the meantime, Mr. Waalkes' lab is planning to tackle the following topic: what other carcinogens can give cancer stem cells such superpowers? (Or maybe this is inherent in all cancer stem cells?)
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