Читать книгу The SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research - Группа авторов - Страница 318

Cartilage tumors account for the majority of primary bone tumors and are characterized by the formation of hyaline or myxoid cartilage and the presence of chondrocytic cells. Benign cartilage tumors are much more common than malignant ones. Benign tumors include osteochondroma, enchondromas, chondroblastoma, juxtacortical chondroma, and chondromyxoid fibroma, and malignant tumors chondrosarcomas. Chondrosarcoma can be subdivided into peripheral-m, dedifferentiated-, mesenchymal-, and clear cell chondrosarcoma. The clinical presentation of these tumors differs for age group, gender, and site. Benign tumors arise primarily in the younger age group and mostly as single lesions. However, in rare hereditary syndromes, they can be found in multiple skeletal locations. In comparison, malignant cartilaginous tumors are the second-largest group of primary bone tumors. A majority of them occur in previously normal bone; however, some arise from preexisting benign tumors. Most chondrosarcoma are solitary, but they can present as multiple lesions in patients with hereditary syndromes.

Although ongoing, stem cell therapy is being evaluated as a means to regenerate cartilage in patients with cartilage removal along with tumor extraction. Researchers from numerous universities are extracting mesenchymal stem cells derived from allogenic umbilical cord. The stem cells are mixed with a scaffold such as hyaluronan, and clinical trials are being conducted to study the effect of this protocol in patients with previous cartilage removal/loss. Identification of growth factors that help one’s body repair lost cartilage and activate transplanted stems cells in regenerating cartilage is a key area of research.