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Review
. 2024 Aug 1;16(8):1024.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16081024.

Novel Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Compounds: A Comprehensive Review

Shanchun Guo  1 , Shilong Zheng  1 , Mingli Liu  2 , Guangdi Wang  1
Affiliations
Review

Novel Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Compounds: A Comprehensive Review

Shanchun Guo et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess a significant ability to renew themselves, which gives them a strong capacity to form tumors and expand to encompass additional body areas. In addition, they possess inherent resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapies used to treat many forms of cancer. Scientists have focused on investigating the signaling pathways that are highly linked to the ability of CSCs to renew themselves and maintain their stem cell properties. The pathways encompassed are Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog, STAT3, NF-κB, PI-3K/Akt/mTOR, sirtuin, ALDH, MDM2, and ROS. Recent studies indicate that directing efforts towards CSC cells is essential in eradicating the overall cancer cell population and reducing the likelihood of tumor metastasis. As our comprehension of the mechanisms that stimulate CSC activity, growth, and resistance to chemotherapy advances, the discovery of therapeutic drugs specifically targeting CSCs, such as small-molecule compounds, holds the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy. This review article examines and analyzes the novel anti-CSC compounds that have demonstrated effective and selective targeting of pathways associated with the renewal and stemness of CSCs. We also discussed their special drug metabolism and absorption mechanisms. CSCs have been the subject of much study in cancer biology. As a possible treatment for malignancies, small-molecule drugs that target CSCs are gaining more and more attention. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current state of key small-molecule compounds, summarizes their recent developments, and anticipates the future discovery of even more potent and targeted compounds, opening up new avenues for cancer treatment.

Keywords: ALDH; Notch; Wnt/β-catenin; compound; targeted therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors do not have any financial affiliations with organizations or entities that have a financial stake in the subject matter or materials covered in the work. The authors have stated that there are no conflicting interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
In the tumor CSC model, only CSCs have tumor-initiating capability.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of targeted small-molecule compounds of cancer stem cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structures of targeted small-molecule compounds of cancer stem cells.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structures of targeted small-molecule compounds of cancer stem cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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