Cancer stem cells: a target for overcoming therapeutic resistance and relapse

Shuo Zhang; Rui Yang; Yujie Ouyang; Yang Shen; Lanlin Hu; Chuan Xu

doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333

Cancer Biology & Medicine (Dec 2023)

Cancer stem cells: a target for overcoming therapeutic resistance and relapse

Shuo Zhang,
Rui Yang,
Yujie Ouyang,
Yang Shen,
Lanlin Hu,
Chuan Xu

Affiliations

Shuo Zhang: Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Rui Yang: Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Chengdu Wenjiang District People’s Hospital, Chengdu 611130, China
Yujie Ouyang: Acupuncture and Massage College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
Yang Shen: Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
Lanlin Hu: Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
Chuan Xu: Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 20, no. 12
pp. 985 – 1020

Abstract

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Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells in cancers that are thought to initiate tumorous transformation and promote metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to treatment. Growing evidence has revealed the existence of CSCs in various types of cancers and suggested that CSCs differentiate into diverse lineage cells that contribute to tumor progression. We may be able to overcome the limitations of cancer treatment with a comprehensive understanding of the biological features and mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance in CSCs. This review provides an overview of the properties, biomarkers, and mechanisms of resistance shown by CSCs. Recent findings on metabolic features, especially fatty acid metabolism and ferroptosis in CSCs, are highlighted, along with promising targeting strategies. Targeting CSCs is a potential treatment plan to conquer cancer and prevent resistance and relapse in cancer treatment.

Published in Cancer Biology & Medicine

ISSN: 2095-3941 (Print)
Publisher: China Anti-Cancer Association
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.cancerbiomed.org/

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Abstract

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