Do Embryonic Stem Cells Contribute to Cancer Development?
There is evidence that ESCs or their derivatives could potentially contribute to cancer development under certain conditions. For instance, improper differentiation or genetic mutations during the differentiation process could lead to the formation of teratomas, a type of tumor containing various differentiated cell types. Additionally, the signaling pathways that maintain pluripotency in ESCs, such as the Wnt and Notch pathways, are also implicated in cancer.
