Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie Van Wetenschappen

Nicholas Barker

Johannes Carolus Clevers

Andrea Haegebarth

Marcus Lambertus Van De Wetering

The invention relates to the fields of biochemistry, pharmacy and oncology. The invention particularly relates to the use of novel stem cell markers for the isolation of stem cells. The invention further relates to the obtained stem cells and their use in for example research or treatment, for example, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of damaged or diseased tissue. In one of the embodiments, the invention provides a method for obtaining (or isolating) stem cells comprising optionally preparing a cell suspension from a tissue or organ sample, contacting said cell suspension with an Lgr 6 or 5 binding compound, identify the cells bound to said binding compound, and optionally isolating the stem cells from said binding compound. The invention further relates to means suitable for cancer treatment and even more specific for the treatment of cancer by eradicating cancer stem cells.

Method for identifying, expanding, and removing adult stem cells and cancer stem cells

Described are the use of stem cell markers for the isolation of stem cells and the use of the obtained stem cells in, for example, research or treatment, such as for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of damaged or diseased tissue. In one aspect, provided is a method for obtaining or isolating stem cells that comprises preparing a cell suspension from a tissue or organ sample, contacting the cell suspension with an Lgr 6 or 5 binding compound, identifying the cells bound to the binding compound, and isolating the stem cells from the binding compound. Further described are methods and compositions for cancer treatment, for example, by eradicating cancer stem cells.

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Utrecht, Netherlands

Nicholas Barker