Abstract
Recent discoveries have provided the compelling evidence that stem cell populations within each individual tumor are key contributors of therapy failure regardless of whether these populations are transient or stable. Thus, it is becoming increasingly clear that efficient tumor treatment requires eradication of the entire CSC population. The potential role of CSCs in tumor initiation and relapse has motivated an investigation of the CSCspecific treatments. However, development of the therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs might be challenged by a high diversity and plasticity of CSC features. Moreover, taking in account that an origin of CSC remains controversial and accumulating experimental evidence suggests a possibility of tumor cell reprogramming, efficient anti-cancer treatment should eradicate both CSCs and tumor bulk as well as prevent tumor dedifferentiation. In this article we discuss new insights into the stem cell concept of tumor development, review the treatment strategies eradicating CSCs that have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies and summarize the strategies to identify new CSC-targeted therapy.
Keywords: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, CSC plasticity, CSC-targeted therapy.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Promises and Challenges
Volume: 16 Issue: 1
Author(s): Jan Dominik Kuhlmann, Linda Hein, Ina Kurth, Pauline Wimberger and Anna Dubrovska
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, CSC plasticity, CSC-targeted therapy.
Abstract: Recent discoveries have provided the compelling evidence that stem cell populations within each individual tumor are key contributors of therapy failure regardless of whether these populations are transient or stable. Thus, it is becoming increasingly clear that efficient tumor treatment requires eradication of the entire CSC population. The potential role of CSCs in tumor initiation and relapse has motivated an investigation of the CSCspecific treatments. However, development of the therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs might be challenged by a high diversity and plasticity of CSC features. Moreover, taking in account that an origin of CSC remains controversial and accumulating experimental evidence suggests a possibility of tumor cell reprogramming, efficient anti-cancer treatment should eradicate both CSCs and tumor bulk as well as prevent tumor dedifferentiation. In this article we discuss new insights into the stem cell concept of tumor development, review the treatment strategies eradicating CSCs that have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies and summarize the strategies to identify new CSC-targeted therapy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kuhlmann Dominik Jan, Hein Linda, Kurth Ina, Wimberger Pauline and Dubrovska Anna, Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Promises and Challenges, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520615666150716104152
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520615666150716104152 |
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
-
Calcium Channels and Prostate Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery The Role of JNK Signalling in Responses to Oxidative DNA Damage
Current Drug Targets A New 4-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridine Derivative Affects Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Impairing Cell Cycle Progression and Inducing Apoptosis
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Nutrition and DNA Repair - Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Action
Current Cancer Drug Targets <i>Ajuga</i> L.: A Systematic Review on Chemical Composition, Phytopharmacological and Biological Potential
Current Bioactive Compounds Approaches to Gastrointestinal Cytoprotection: From Isolated Cells, Via Animal Experiments to Healthy Human Subjects and Patients with Different Gastrointestinal Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Modulation of Tumour-Related Signaling Pathways by Natural Pentacyclic Triterpenoids and their Semisynthetic Derivatives
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Transforming Growth Factor β1 in the Regulation of Blood Pressure
Current Hypertension Reviews C-11 Radiochemistry in Cancer Imaging Applications
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Structure-Function Relationships in the Interaction Between the Urokinase- Type Plasminogen Activator and Its Receptor
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diagnosis and Treatment of Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes
Current Clinical Pharmacology MicroRNA-155 Functions as a Negative Regulator of RhoA Signaling in TGF-β-induced Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition
MicroRNA Cellular and Biochemical Alterations Caused by Artificial Depletion of Glutathione
Current Enzyme Inhibition Profile of HBV Integration in the Plasma DNA of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Current Genomics Functions of Antimicrobial Peptides in Vertebrates
Current Protein & Peptide Science Predictive Genomics DNA Profiling for Athletic Performance
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Role of Unani Medicines in Cancer Control and Management
Current Drug Therapy HPV Infections: Basis of Neoplastic Transformation and Related Molecular Tests
Current Pharmaceutical Design Immunomodulatory Properties of Thalidomide Analogs: Pomalidomide and Lenalidomide, Experimental and Therapeutic Applications
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Crosstalk Between Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor- and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Signaling: Implications for Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets