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Review
. 2012 Dec;44(12):2144-51.
doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.08.022. Epub 2012 Sep 2.

Cancer stem cells

Zuoren Yu  1 , Timothy G Pestell, Michael P Lisanti, Richard G Pestell
Affiliations
Review

Cancer stem cells

Zuoren Yu et al. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors with capabilities of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity when transplanted into an animal host. A number of cell surface markers such as CD44, CD24, and CD133 are often used to identify and enrich CSCs. A regulatory network consisting of microRNAs and Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog signaling pathways controls CSC properties. The clinical relevance of CSCs has been strengthened by emerging evidence, demonstrating that CSCs are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment and that CSCs are very likely to be the origin of cancer metastasis. CSCs are believed to be an important target for novel anti-cancer drug discovery. Herein we summarize the current understanding of CSCs, with a focus on the role of miRNA and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and discuss the clinical application of targeting CSCs for cancer treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Signaling pathways in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation. (A) Hedgehog signaling pathway; (B) Notch signaling pathway; (C) Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; (D) Signaling networks with PTEN involved; (E) Hippo signaling pathway.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Signaling pathways in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation. (A) Hedgehog signaling pathway; (B) Notch signaling pathway; (C) Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; (D) Signaling networks with PTEN involved; (E) Hippo signaling pathway.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Signaling pathways in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation. (A) Hedgehog signaling pathway; (B) Notch signaling pathway; (C) Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; (D) Signaling networks with PTEN involved; (E) Hippo signaling pathway.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Signaling pathways in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation. (A) Hedgehog signaling pathway; (B) Notch signaling pathway; (C) Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; (D) Signaling networks with PTEN involved; (E) Hippo signaling pathway.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Signaling pathways in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation. (A) Hedgehog signaling pathway; (B) Notch signaling pathway; (C) Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; (D) Signaling networks with PTEN involved; (E) Hippo signaling pathway.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regulation of CSCs by inflammatory cytokine networks. Binding of the IL-6-IL-6R complex to gp130, and IL-8 to CXCR1/2 activates the NF-κB pathway via Stat3 and Akt signaling. IL-6 and IL-8 production of NF-κB generates a positive feedback loop that maintains constitutive pathway activation. Inhibition of pathway components by pharmacologic agents is illustrated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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