Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Gastric Cancer

Abstract

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Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) might be responsible for tumor initiation, relapse, metastasis and treatment resistance of GC. The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises tumor cells, immune cells, stromal cells and other extracellular components, which plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and therapy resistance. The properties of CSCs are regulated by cells and extracellular matrix components of the TME in some unique manners. This review will summarize current literature regarding the effects of CSCs and TME on the progression and therapy resistance of GC, while emphasizing the potential for developing successful anti-tumor therapy based on targeting the TME and CSCs.

Keywords

• gastric cancer
• cancer stem cells (CSC)
• tumor microenvironment
• mesenchymal stem cells
• cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs)
• tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)