Retinoblastoma cells identified

Canadian researchers believe they have identified the specific cells in the eye that develop into retinoblastoma, the University of Toronto reported. The cells “already have cancer-like properties,” the researchers said, which may help explain why the cancer develops only in children.

Rod Bremner, PhD, and colleagues found the genetic mutation associated with retinoblastoma removes some of the body’s protective barriers at a cellular level, the university said in a press release. These cells are then predisposed to becoming tumors since they have tumor-like properties. According to the release, a gene called Rb prevents retinoblastoma by blocking cell division, but in children with the disease, the gene is defective.

After knocking out the Rb gene in mice, the researchers found four types of cells died, but three others did not and those cells continued to divide and survive, the press release stated.