These "natural killer" cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells. Effectively, being part of the immune system, natural killer cells normally are present in the bloodstream and defend the body against infection and against some specific cancers. Natural killer cells which were produced were capable of destroying certain human cancer cells in vitro (in the test tube).

"This is the first published research to show the ability to make cells from human embryonic stem cells that are able to treat and fight cancer, especially leukemias and lymphomas," says Dan Kaufman, assistant professor of medicine in the Stem Cell Institute and Department of Medicine and lead author of the study.

"We hear a lot about the potential of stem cells to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease." Kaufman says. "This research suggests it is possible that we could use human embryonic stem cells as a source for immune cells that could better target and destroy cancer cells and potentially treat infections."

The results also provided the researchers with a model of how the immune system develops.

Next, the researchers will test whether the human embryonic stem cell-derived natural killer cells can target cancer cells in animal models.

Source - U researchers use human embryonic stem cells to kill cancer cells in the lab