The dynamics of stem cell compartments of normal tissues and tumors determines the therapeutic and adverse effects of anticancer treatments. Our group develops pharmacological agents capable of selective protection and stimulation of normal stem cells, particularly in radio- and chemo-sensitive tissues. We found that human microbial parasites can produce factors capable of induction of proliferation and mobilization into peripheral blood of multipotent, hematopoietic stem cells. This class of agents has the potential to radically improve the therapeutic index of currently used therapeutic regimens by stimulating recovery of cancer patients suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment.
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