The challenge of targeting cancer stem cells to halt metastasis

Abstract Despite a continuing debate about the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), recent discoveries have provided further support for their existence and their roles in drug resistance, cancer recurrence and metastasis. CSC characteristics, such as self-renewal and tumour initiation, and suppor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in cancer biology 2017-06, Vol.44, p.25-42
Main Authors: Agliano, Alice, Calvo, Alfonso, Box, Carol
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer stem cell
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm - genetics
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - genetics
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Metastasis
Microenvironment
MicroRNAs - genetics
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Neoplasms - genetics
Neoplasms - pathology
Neoplastic Stem Cells - drug effects
Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology
Signal Transduction - drug effects
Therapy resistance
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Summary:Abstract Despite a continuing debate about the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), recent discoveries have provided further support for their existence and their roles in drug resistance, cancer recurrence and metastasis. CSC characteristics, such as self-renewal and tumour initiation, and supporting cellular processes, particularly the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, are attracting a great deal of attention from cancer researchers as they offer opportunities for discovering novel therapeutic targets for future drug development. However, the identification of potential CSC targets presents clear obstacles due to a lack of truly specific CSC markers and the reality of CSC plasticity, making this task a significant challenge. Agents that target developmental signalling pathways, such as Notch, Wnt and Hedgehog, are now in clinical trials whilst alternative approaches including immune-based therapies and microRNA-mediated pathway inhibitors are producing promising pre-clinical results. Here, we discuss the contribution of CSCs to cancer metastasis and the scope of opportunities for therapeutic intervention. In particular, we consider CSC-targeting agents for which there is experimental evidence of anti-metastatic properties and which may have potential to eventually limit relapse and impede metastasis in patients.
ISSN:1044-579X
1096-3650
DOI:10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.03.003