Targeting Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

Francesco      Crea; Lesley   A.   Mathews; William   L.   Farrar; Elaine   M.   Hurt

Abstract

Cancer stem cells are the sub-population of cells present within tumors responsible for tumorigenesis. These cells have unique biological properties including self-renewal and the ability to differentiate. Furthermore, it is thought that these cells are more resistant to conventional chemotherapy and, as a result, are responsible for patient relapse. We will discuss the identification of prostate cancer stem cells, their unique properties and how these cells may be targeted for more efficacious therapies.

Keywords: Prostate, cancer stem cells, tumor-initiating cells, molecular therapies, transforming growth factor beta, hedgehog, notch, betacatenin