Nanomedicine-mediated drug targeting of cancer stem cells

Abstract

Tumors are heterogeneous and contain a small population of cells that has a crucial role in tumor progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse as a result of their self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation properties. These cells are known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) and accumulating evidence suggests that they show significant resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Thus, various antitumor strategies have been developed to eliminate therapeutic-resistant CSCs by targeting the molecular differences between CSCs and bulk cancer cells. Here, we highlight the use of nanomedicine-mediated dual drug delivery to target CSCs and bulk cancer cells simultaneously. We also summarize current prospects and challenges associated with this therapy.