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Review
. 2019 Jan;8(1):75-81.
doi: 10.1002/sctm.18-0123. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Concise Reviews: Cancer Stem Cell Targeted Therapies: Toward Clinical Success

Amar Desai  1   2 , Yan Yan  1   2 , Stanton L Gerson  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Concise Reviews: Cancer Stem Cell Targeted Therapies: Toward Clinical Success

Amar Desai et al. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells within tumors that possess the stem cell characteristics of self-renewal, quiescence, differentiation, and the ability to recapitulate the parental tumor when transplanted into a host. CSCs are correlated with poor clinical outcome due to their contribution to chemotherapy resistance and metastasis. Multiple cell surface and enzymatic markers have been characterized to identify CSCs within a heterogeneous tumor, and here we summarize ongoing preclinical and clinical efforts to therapeutically target these cells and improve patient outcomes. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:75-81.

Keywords: Cancer stem cells; Epigenetics; Immunotherapy; Metastasis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The concept of the cancer stem cell (CSC). Tumor cells are heterogeneous which contain a majority of cells are non/poorly tumorigenic, and a small subset of CSCs. The CSCs can be functionally distinguished from other populations by their ability to reconstitute a differentiated tumor upon transplantation into an immunocompromised mouse. Based on this model, CSC specific therapies are proposed in combination with conventional chemotherapies to kill both CSC and other differentiated populations and prevent subsequent relapse.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Antigens found specifically on CSCs versus those on differentiated tumors. Examples of antigen identified in the bulk tumor and CSC populations. Simultaneously targeting both types of antigen is emerging as a successful approach to maximize immune responses to a variety of cancers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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