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Review
. 2017 Mar;50(3):117-125.
doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2017.50.3.222.

Cancer stem cell heterogeneity: origin and new perspectives on CSC targeting

Affiliations
Review

Cancer stem cell heterogeneity: origin and new perspectives on CSC targeting

Kiyoung Eun et al. BMB Rep. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Most of the cancers are still incurable human diseases. According to recent findings, especially targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) is the most promising therapeutic strategy. CSCs take charge of a cancer hierarchy, harboring stem cell-like properties involving self-renewal and aberrant differentiation potential. Most of all, the presence of CSCs is closely associated with tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. Despite the numerous efforts to target CSCs, current anti-cancer therapies are still impeded by CSC-derived cancer malignancies; increased metastases, tumor recurrence, and even acquired resistance against the anti-CSC therapies developed in experimental models. One of the most forceful underlying reasons is a "cancer heterogeneity" due to "CSC plasticity". A comprehensive understanding of CSC-derived heterogeneity will provide novel insights into the establishment of efficient targeting strategies to eliminate CSCs. Here, we introduce findings on mechanisms of CSC reprogramming and CSC plasticity, which give rise to phenotypically varied CSCs. Also, we suggest concepts to improve CSC-targeted therapy in order to overcome therapeutic resistance caused by CSC plasticity and heterogeneity. [BMB Reports 2017; 50(3): 117-125].

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Core signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications regulating CSC reprogramming and differentiation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A schematic diagram showing CSC targeting strategies.

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