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Review
. 2023 Dec 12;15(12):2763.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122763.

Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells and Targeted Agents

Haobin Zhao  1   2 , Ruining Han  3 , Zhankun Wang  4 , Junfang Xian  1 , Xiaosu Bai  2
Affiliations
Review

Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells and Targeted Agents

Haobin Zhao et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Since their discovery, cancer stem cells have become a hot topic in cancer therapy research. These cells possess stem cell-like self-renewal and differentiation capacities and are important factors that dominate cancer metastasis, therapy-resistance and recurrence. Worse, their inherent characteristics make them difficult to eliminate. Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Targeting colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs) can inhibit colorectal cancer metastasis, enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce recurrence. Here, we introduced the origin, biomarker proteins, identification, cultivation and research techniques of CR-CSCs, and we summarized the signaling pathways that regulate the stemness of CR-CSCs, such as Wnt, JAK/STAT3, Notch and Hh signaling pathway. In addition to these, we also reviewed recent anti-CR-CSC drugs targeting signaling pathways, biomarkers and other regulators. These will help researchers gain insight into the current agents targeting to CR-CSCs, explore new cancer drugs and propose potential therapies.

Keywords: Lgr5; Wnt signaling pathway; colorectal cancer stem cells; single-cell omics technology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustration of metastasis, therapy resistance and recurrence promoted by CR-CSCs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biomarker proteins and regulators in pathways in CR-CSCs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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