Cancer stem cells: therapeutic implications and perspectives in cancer therapy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2013.02.006
• Publication Date: 2013-03-21T21:02:11Z
• Authors: Lu Han; Sanjun Shi; Tao Gong; Zhirong Zhang; Xun Sun
• Keywords: Cancer Therapy

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory is gaining increasing attention from researchers and has become an important focus of research. According to the theory, a minority population cells capable self-renewal generation differentiated progeny, termed (CSCs). Understanding properties characteristics CSCs key future study on research, such as isolation identification CSCs, diagnosis, therapy. Standard oncology treatments, chemotherapy, radiotherapy surgical resection, can only shrink bulk tumor tends relapse. Thus, therapeutic strategies that targeting their microenvironmental niche address ineffectiveness traditional therapies eradicate otherwise result in therapy resistance. combined use with targeted CSC-specific agents may target whole offer promising strategy for lasting treatment even cure.