Clinical implications of cancer stem cells in digestive cancers: acquisition of stemness and prognostic impact

• Published in: Surgery today (Tokyo, Japan) Japan), 2020-12, Vol.50 (12), p.1560-1577
• Main Authors: Tsunedomi, Ryouichi, Yoshimura, Kiyoshi, Suzuki, Nobuaki, Hazama, Shoichi, Nagano, Hiroaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AC133 Antigen - metabolism; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family - genetics; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family - metabolism; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Digestive System Neoplasms - diagnosis; Digestive System Neoplasms - genetics; Digestive System Neoplasms - mortality; Digestive System Neoplasms - pathology; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule - genetics; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule - metabolism; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors - genetics; Hyaluronan Receptors - metabolism; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Prognosis; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - genetics; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Retinal Dehydrogenase - genetics; Retinal Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Review Article; SOX9 Transcription Factor - genetics; SOX9 Transcription Factor - metabolism; SOXB1 Transcription Factors - metabolism; Surgery; Surgical Oncology; Survival Rate; Thy-1 Antigens - genetics; Thy-1 Antigens - metabolism
• ISSN: 0941-1291; 1436-2813
• DOI: 10.1007/s00595-020-01968-x

Digestive system cancers are the most frequent cancers worldwide and often associated with poor prognosis because of their invasive and metastatic characteristics. Recent studies have found that the plasticity of cancer cells can impart cancer stem-like properties via the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cancer stem-like properties such as tumor initiation are integral to the formation of metastasis, which is the main cause of poor prognosis. Numerous markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in many types of cancer. Therefore, CSCs, via their stem cell-like functions, may play an important role in prognosis after surgery. While several reports have described prognostic analysis using CSC markers, few reviews have summarized CSCs and their association with prognosis. Herein, we review the prognostic potential of eight CSC markers, CD133, CD44, CD90, ALDH1A1, EPCAM, SOX2, SOX9, and LGR5, in digestive cancers including those of the pancreas, colon, liver, gastric, and esophagus.