Dr. Sterman's research centers on the interaction between immune cells and cancer, specifically how lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells can produce substances that kill cancer cells. One of his significant findings is that certain proteins produced by LAK cells can effectively target and destroy melanoma cells, which could lead to new treatment avenues for patients with this serious skin cancer. Additionally, his studies examine cell adhesion and differentiation, helping to understand how cancer cells behave and develop and how these mechanisms can be manipulated for potential treatments. In essence, his work aims to enhance our understanding of cancer biology and improve therapeutic strategies.
Key findings
LAK cell supernatants can kill between 40% to 90% of cancer cells tested, indicating strong anti-cancer effects.
A specific substance in LAK cells was found to be lethal to melanoma cells but was neutralized by an antibody that targets TGF-beta, suggesting that this protein plays a role in melanoma treatment.
Indomethacin reduced liver protein activity related to glucagon by about 50%, providing insights into glucose management.
Using fibroblast feeder layers increased the probability of stem cell renewal to 72% in retinoic acid-treated embryonal carcinoma cells, compared to 25-50% without the layers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Sterman study melanoma?
Yes, Dr. Sterman investigates how immune cells can effectively target melanoma cells, which could lead to new treatment strategies.
What treatments has Dr. Sterman researched?
Dr. Sterman has researched the use of immune cell products, such as those from lymphokine-activated killer cells, in targeting and killing cancer cells.
Is Dr. Sterman's work relevant to cancer patients?
Absolutely, his research focuses on finding new ways to treat cancer, which directly benefits patients.
What role do stem cells play in Dr. Sterman's research?
His work examines how certain conditions affect stem cell behavior, which is crucial for cancer treatments and tissue regeneration.
Has Dr. Sterman done work related to diabetes?
Yes, he has studied how drugs like indomethacin affect liver function and blood sugar control, which is important for diabetes management.
Publications in plain English
A high molecular weight cytotoxic lymphokine in supernatants of lymphokine-activated killer cells cross-reacts with transforming growth factor beta.
1990
Immunology letters
Larisch-Bloch S, Sterman B, Sulitzeanu D
Plain English This study examined substances produced by special immune cells, called lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, and their effect on melanoma cells. Researchers found that a specific part of these substances, labeled as "Fraction 1," was deadly to melanoma cells and its effectiveness was neutralized by an antibody targeting a protein known as TGF-beta. This finding is significant because it suggests that TGF-beta or a similar molecule may play a role in fighting melanoma, which could lead to improved treatment strategies.
Who this helps: Patients with melanoma.
Culture supernatants of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells contain a high-molecular-weight cytotoxic lymphokine.
1989
Immunology letters
Larisch-Bloch S, Sterman B, Weiss D, Sulitzeanu D
Plain English This study looked at supernatants from lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells to see how well they can kill cancer cells. Researchers found that these supernatants killed between 40% to 90% of cancer cells tested, which shows they have strong anti-cancer effects. The results suggest that these liquid products can potentially be used for cancer treatment instead of using the living cells directly.
Who this helps: This helps patients with cancer by offering new treatment options.
Off-axis folded laser beam trajectories in a strip-line CO(2) laser.
1989
Optics letters
Sterman B, Gabay A, Yatsiv S, Dagan E
Plain English This study looked at a special type of CO2 laser that has large dimensions and how it produces unique light patterns when used in a specific setup. Researchers found that the laser emitted light in shapes resembling the letters M and W, which can be controlled by adding obstacles in the laser's cavity. These findings are important because they help improve our understanding of laser behavior, which could lead to better laser applications in various fields.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and engineers working with laser technology.
An adhesion-defective variant of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells fails to differentiate into visceral endoderm.
1987
Developmental biology
Grover A, Rosentraus MJ, Sterman B, Snook ME, Adamson ED
Plain English Researchers studied a specific type of embryonic cancer cells called F9 cells that were unable to stick together properly. They found that these defective cells could grow in clusters but could not develop into the desired tissue type called visceral endoderm, even when treated with a signaling molecule. The study showed that the adhesion-defective cells produced more of certain proteins but much less of a key protein important for visceral endoderm formation. This matters because it provides insight into how cell adhesion affects tissue development, which could have implications for cancer research and regenerative medicine.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and medical professionals working on cancer and tissue regeneration.
Plain English This study looked at special cancer cells called embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells that were engineered to be resistant to a toxic substance called abrin. The researchers found that these modified cells had a much higher tolerance to abrin, showing at least 150 times greater resistance than normal cells, and they lacked certain surface markers, specifically SSEA-1 and Forsmann antigens. These findings suggest that the presence of these markers is not essential for the cells to develop into different types of cells, which is important for understanding how to use these cancer cells in research and treatment.
Who this helps: This helps researchers studying cancer and cell differentiation.
Fibroblast feeder layers inhibit differentiation of retinoic acid-treated embryonal carcinoma cells by increasing the probability of stem cell renewal.
1984
Experimental cell research
Rosenstraus MJ, Sterman B, Carr A, Brand L
Plain English This study looked at how fibroblast feeder layers affect the development of specific cancer cells called embryonal carcinoma cells when exposed to retinoic acid. The researchers found that using these feeder layers reduced the number of differentiated cells by 70-80%, allowing more stem cells to remain. Specifically, the probability of stem cell renewal was much higher on feeder layers (72%) compared to those without (25-50%).
Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and doctors working in cancer treatment and stem cell research.
Plain English This study looked at how the drug indomethacin affects liver function in rats, specifically its impact on the hormone glucagon, which helps control blood sugar levels. The researchers found that indomethacin reduced the liver's response to glucagon, decreasing the activity of certain proteins involved in glucose production by about 50% during glucagon infusion. This is important because it helps us understand how indomethacin might influence blood sugar management in the body.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers working to improve treatments for diabetes and other blood sugar-related issues.
Ontogeny of hepatic insulin and glucagon receptors and adenylate cyclase in rabbit.
1983
The American journal of physiology
Ganguli S, Sinha MK, Sterman B, Harris P, Sperling MA
Plain English This study looked at how insulin and glucagon receptors develop in the livers of rabbits during pregnancy and shortly after birth. The researchers found that insulin receptor binding increased sharply at birth, while glucagon receptor binding was lower but began to increase after 48 hours, reaching only about 20-25% of adult levels. This matters because understanding how these receptors develop can help us figure out how to better manage hormone-related conditions in newborns.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who work with newborns and hormone-related health issues.