Cancer stem cells: a potential target for cancer therapy

Abstract

Current evidence indicates that a subpopulation of cancer cells, named cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells, are responsible for the initiation, growth, metastasis, therapy resistance and recurrence of cancers. CSCs share core regulatory pathways with normal stem cells; however, CSCs rely on distinct reprogrammed pathways to maintain stemness and to contribute to the progression of cancers. The specific targeting of CSCs, together with conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may achieve stable remission or cure cancer. Therefore, the identification of CSCs and a better understanding of the complex characteristics of CSCs will provide invaluable diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic targets for clinical application. In this review, we will introduce the dysregulated properties of CSCs in cancers and discuss the possible challenges in targeting CSCs for cancer treatment.

Fig. 1

Schema of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) displaying self-renewal and multiple-lineage differentiation. GSCs can maintain their stemness through self-renewal and differentiation into oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and neurons

Fig. 2

Schema of tumor angiogenesis. During tumor angiogenesis, cancer stem cells release molecules that send signals to surrounding endothelial cells and encourage the growth of new blood vessels. Blood vessels are depicted as red tissues

Fig. 3

Schema of metastasis. Cancer stem cells from a primary tumor disseminate to distant organs through the circulation and subsequently initiate macrometastatic deposition