Abstract
New evidence has dramatically demonstrated that only a minority of cancer cells has the capacity to proliferate extensively and form new tumors; these cells are called “tumor-initiating cells” or “cancer stem cells”. In this review, we focus on recent molecular insights into the nature of cancer stem cells in leukemia, leukemic stem cells (LSCs). LSCs arise not only from primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with self-renewal capacity but also from committed progenitor cells that normally lack the ability to self-renew. These latter cells gain stem cell properties by reactivating a gene expression program similar to that functioning in normal HSCs. The self-renewal and differentiation capacities of normal primitive hematopoietic cells are controlled by complex signaling pathways involving Wnt/β-catenin, Pu.1/JunB and PI3K/Akt. These same mediators also participate in the leukemogenesis. In mice, administration of drugs such as rapamycin and anti-CD44 antibody, which target properties unique to LSCs, can selectively deplete these cells in vivo. The goal for this field is to design successful human leukemia therapies based on the targeting or manipulation of features specific to LSCs.
Keywords: Leukemic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, self-renewal capacity
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews
Title: The Molecular Bases of the Self-Renewal and Differentiation of Leukemic Stem Cells
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Kazuhito Naka, Masako Ohmura, Takayuki Hoshii, Teruyuki Muraguchi and Atsushi Hirao
Affiliation:
Keywords: Leukemic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, self-renewal capacity
Abstract: New evidence has dramatically demonstrated that only a minority of cancer cells has the capacity to proliferate extensively and form new tumors; these cells are called “tumor-initiating cells” or “cancer stem cells”. In this review, we focus on recent molecular insights into the nature of cancer stem cells in leukemia, leukemic stem cells (LSCs). LSCs arise not only from primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with self-renewal capacity but also from committed progenitor cells that normally lack the ability to self-renew. These latter cells gain stem cell properties by reactivating a gene expression program similar to that functioning in normal HSCs. The self-renewal and differentiation capacities of normal primitive hematopoietic cells are controlled by complex signaling pathways involving Wnt/β-catenin, Pu.1/JunB and PI3K/Akt. These same mediators also participate in the leukemogenesis. In mice, administration of drugs such as rapamycin and anti-CD44 antibody, which target properties unique to LSCs, can selectively deplete these cells in vivo. The goal for this field is to design successful human leukemia therapies based on the targeting or manipulation of features specific to LSCs.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Naka Kazuhito, Ohmura Masako, Hoshii Takayuki, Muraguchi Teruyuki and Hirao Atsushi, The Molecular Bases of the Self-Renewal and Differentiation of Leukemic Stem Cells, Current Cancer Therapy Reviews 2008; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339408785294267
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339408785294267 |
Print ISSN 1573-3947 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6301 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Current progress in Protein Degradation and Cancer Therapy
argeted Protein Degradation is gaining momentum in cancer therapy, it facilitate targeting undruggable proteins, it overcome cancer resistance and avoid undesirable side effects. Thus small molecules degraders have emerged as novel therapeutic strategy. Targeted protein degradation (TPD), the process of eliminating a protein of interest hold a great promise for ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Multicolor-FISH Approaches for the Characterization of Human Chromosomes in Clinical Genetics and Tumor Cytogenetics
Current Genomics Cardiovascular Biology of Interleukin-6
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Phospholipase D Enzyme(s) in Modulating Cell Signaling: Implications for Cancer Drug Development
Current Bioactive Compounds Retroviral Gene Therapy: Safety Issues and Possible Solutions
Current Gene Therapy Is the Expression of Deoxynucleoside Kinases and 5'-nucleotidases in Animal Tissues Related to the Biological Effects of Nucleoside Analogs?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recombinant Immunotoxins for the Treatment of Chemoresistant Hematologic Malignancies
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Pathway in Human Cancer: Genetic Alterations and Therapeutic Implications
Current Genomics Molecular Mechanisms of Pancreatic Cancer Dissemination: The Role of the Chemokine System
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Expanding Role of APRIL in Cancer and Immunity
Current Molecular Medicine Reduced-Intensity Transplantation in the Treatment of Haematological Malignancies: Current Status and Future-Prospects
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Epratuzumab and Blinatumomab as Therapeutic Antibodies for Treatment of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry 2-Aminoimidazole, Glycociamidine and 2-Thiohydantoin-Marine Alkaloids as Molecular Inspirations for the Development of Lead Structures
Current Drug Targets Senescence and Cell Death Pathways and Their Role in Cancer Therapeutic Outcome
Current Medicinal Chemistry Ganoderma lucidum: A Potential for Biotechnological Production of Anti-Cancer and Immunomodulatory Drugs
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Bamboo a Supplement to Human Health: A Comprehensive Review on its Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity
The Natural Products Journal Folate-conjugated Chitosan-poly(ethylenimine) Copolymer As An Efficient and Safe Vector For Gene Delivery in Cancer Cells
Current Gene Therapy Harnessing the Tumor Suppressor Function of FOXO as an Alternative Therapeutic Approach in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Topoisomerase I and II Inhibitors: A Patent Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Editorial (Hot Topic Potential Value and Limitation of Dual Inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR in the Treatment of Cancer)
Current Cancer Drug Targets Cardiac Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokines Response after Myocardial Infarction
Current Vascular Pharmacology