Abstract
Evidence supports that a variety of cancers are sparked by the growth of cells that exhibit characteristics of stem cells. Such cancer-initiating cells are capable of populating a tumor with a heterogeneous group of daughter cells while still maintaining the ability to self-renew. Several groups have recently reported the identification of cancer-initiating cells in ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer comprises 90% of cancers of the ovary and consists of four major histologic types, each bearing some resemblance to different tissues in the peritoneal cavity. Although epithelial ovarian cancer has traditionally been thought to originate from the single layer of cells surrounding each ovary, new findings suggest that many of these cancers derive from Mullerian epithelium. This raises questions about the origin of ovarian cancer-initiating cells, and if there may be more than one source. Despite the initial effectiveness of primary therapy against advanced stage ovarian cancer, most of these cases recur, months to years following diagnosis. The cause of disease recurrence is unknown, but may involve cancer-initiating cells that survive chemotherapy and enter a period of dormancy while residing in as-yet undefined niches within the body before being triggered to initiate renewed growth. Herein the nature of these cells is explored as well as novel approaches for therapeutic targeting.
Keywords: Ovarian cancer, Cancer-initiating cells, Cancer stem cells, Spheroids, Epigenetics, Dormancy, Quiescence
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Targeting Ovarian Cancer-Initiating Cells
Volume: 10 Issue: 2
Author(s): Susan K. Murphy
Affiliation:
Keywords: Ovarian cancer, Cancer-initiating cells, Cancer stem cells, Spheroids, Epigenetics, Dormancy, Quiescence
Abstract: Evidence supports that a variety of cancers are sparked by the growth of cells that exhibit characteristics of stem cells. Such cancer-initiating cells are capable of populating a tumor with a heterogeneous group of daughter cells while still maintaining the ability to self-renew. Several groups have recently reported the identification of cancer-initiating cells in ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer comprises 90% of cancers of the ovary and consists of four major histologic types, each bearing some resemblance to different tissues in the peritoneal cavity. Although epithelial ovarian cancer has traditionally been thought to originate from the single layer of cells surrounding each ovary, new findings suggest that many of these cancers derive from Mullerian epithelium. This raises questions about the origin of ovarian cancer-initiating cells, and if there may be more than one source. Despite the initial effectiveness of primary therapy against advanced stage ovarian cancer, most of these cases recur, months to years following diagnosis. The cause of disease recurrence is unknown, but may involve cancer-initiating cells that survive chemotherapy and enter a period of dormancy while residing in as-yet undefined niches within the body before being triggered to initiate renewed growth. Herein the nature of these cells is explored as well as novel approaches for therapeutic targeting.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Murphy K. Susan, Targeting Ovarian Cancer-Initiating Cells, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 10 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152010790909272
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152010790909272 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...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
-
Opportunities and Challenges of Fluorescent Carbon Dots in Translational Optical Imaging
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Centrosome: A Target for Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases by Balanced Nutrition: Population- specific Effective Public Health Approaches in Developing Countries
Current Diabetes Reviews Breast Cancer Resistance Protein: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Cancer
Current Drug Targets Oligopeptides for Immunotherapy Approaches in Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Modulation of Cellular Function by TAT Mediated Transduction of Full Length Proteins
Current Protein & Peptide Science The PAX8 / PPARγ Fusion Oncogene as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Immune Suppression and Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets miRNA: Small Molecules as Potential Novel Biomarkers in Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Synergistic Approaches to Clinical Oncology Biomarker Discovery
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry EGFR Transactivation by Peptide G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Which Dose of Folic Acid Should Pregnant Diabetic Women Receive?
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Screening GLP-1 Receptor Ligands from Natural Products in Herbs through High-Content Technique
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Isoforms as Novel Drug Targets
Current Drug Targets Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Amphiphilic Copolymer for Anticancer Drugs Delivery
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Design of Self-Immolative Linkers for Tumour-Activated Prodrug Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Telomere Recombination and the ALT Pathway: A Therapeutic Perspective for Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design BMPS and Liver: More Questions than Answers
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances in the Development of Immunoadhesins for Immune Therapy and as Anti-Infective Agents
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery ICE Regimen for Relapsed/Refractory Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Children
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials