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Review
. 2014 Sep 5;3(2):46-62.
eCollection 2014.

Metastatic cancer stem cells: from the concept to therapeutics

Wen-Ting Liao  1 , Ya-Ping Ye  1 , Yong-Jian Deng  1 , Xiu-Wu Bian  2 , Yan-Qing Ding  1
Affiliations
Review

Metastatic cancer stem cells: from the concept to therapeutics

Wen-Ting Liao et al. Am J Stem Cells. .

Abstract

Metastatic cancer stem cells (MCSCs) refer to a subpopulation of cancer cells with both stem cell properties and invasion capabilities that contribute to cancer metastasis. MCSCs have capability of self-renewal, potentials of multiple differentiation and development and/or reconstruction of cancer tissues. As compared with stationary cancer stem cells, MCSCs are capable of invasion to normal tissues such as vasculatures, resistance to chemo- and/or radio-therapies, escape from immune surveillance, survival in circulation and formation of metastasis. MCSCs are derived from invasive cancer stem cells (iCSCs) due to the plasticity of cancer stem cells, which is one of the characteristics of cancer cell heterogeneity. Both stages of iCSCs and MSCSs are the potential therapeutic targets for cancer metastasis in the future strategies of personalized cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer stem cells; invasion and metastasis; therapeutics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The evolving concept of MCSCs. ICSCs, invading into the ECMs and penetrating into blood vessels; DCSCs, surviving and disseminating in the circulation; MCSCs, undergoing extravasation and forming colonization at the distant organs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proposed therapies targeting MCSCs. Three different strategies represent the current popular opinions mostly. Targeting distinctive surface biomarkers on CSCs in a variety of human cancers (blue area), such as CD133, CD44 CD90. Targeting aberrant crucial signaling pathways (red area), such as Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch signaling pathways. Targeting tumor microenvironment for MCSCs, such as inhibiting angiogenesis and hypoxia (green area).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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