Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer Stem Cells: Studying the rare population of cells within tumors that can self-renew and contribute to cancer recurrence.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known to be the small and crucial population of cells that have unique features like the potential self-renew and to give rise to differentiated cells that comprise the bulk of the tumor. These features have made them invaluable in cancer research specifically the biology of cancer and the process of tumor initiation, progression and recurrence.
Cancer stem cells were initially discovered in leukemia back in the 1990s but recent research has indicated their presence in many types of solid tumors including breast, brain and colon cancer.
Different from most of the tumor cells which undergo genetic and phenotypic changes, cancer stem cells retain stem cell like properties which enable them to survive commonly used treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Cancer recurrence has become one of the biggest issues in oncology, and it usually takes place after the very first treatment. This can be attributed to the endurance of cancer stem cells. Even as standard therapies has targeted the rapidly dividing tumor cells, cancer stem cells remain relatively insensitive since they are more quiescent and metabolically distinct.
Studies done to understand cancer stem cells have shown that their functions can be controlled by various molecular pathways for instance, Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways. Inhibition of these pathways has offered a promising method of intervention. According to the researchers, eradicating cancer stem cells might improve the effectiveness and reduce the probabilities of cancer relapse.
REMARKS
It is also necessary to understand the environment in which these cells exist also referred to as microenvironment. The surrounding environment of the tumor has had an impact on cancer stem cells characteristics and promote their survival together with self-renewal. It is therefore possible to adjust to this environment which may be helpful on how to better target cancer stem cells.
WRITTEN BY: AMEDICC.COM
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