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
-
Inhibition of Autophagy by Targeting ATG4B: Promises and Challenges of An Emerging Anti-cancer Strategy
Clinical Cancer Drugs Fertility Preservation in Women After the Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Polymorphism in Endothelin-1 Gene: An Overview
Current Clinical Pharmacology The Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator and the Generation of Inhibitors of Urokinase Activity and Signaling
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Targeted Therapy for Protein and Lipid Kinases in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Mitochondrial Translocator Protein (18 kDa) on Mitochondrial- Related Cell Death Processes
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Natural Products and Cancer Stem Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Hedgehog Signaling Pathway as a Target for Anticancer Drug Discovery
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Stem Cells in Brain Tumorigenesis and their Impact on Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Stem Cells and Combinatorial Science
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Biological Effects of Curcumin and Its Role in Cancer Chemoprevention and Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Functional Relevance of Biased Signaling at the Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers in Papillary Thyroid Cancer and Developing Non-Invasive Diagnostic Models Through Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis
MicroRNA Tetracyclic Triterpenoids in Herbal Medicines and their Activities in Diabetes and its Complications
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Genetics of Bladder Malignant Tumors in Childhood
Current Genomics Overview of Tumor-Associated Antigens (TAAs) as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Prostate Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Potential Therapeutic Targets in Energy Metabolism Pathways of Breast Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Caveolin-1: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Diverse Diseases
Current Molecular Pharmacology Therapeutic Boosting of the Immune Response: Turning to CD14 for Help
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Drug Targeting to the Brain - A Review
Current Nanoscience