Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of tumor cells that were first identified in blood cancers (leukemia) and are considered promising therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. These cells are the cause of many malignancies including metastasis, heterogeneity, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence. They carry out these activities through multiple transcriptional programs and signaling pathways. This review summarizes the characteristics of cancer stem cells, explains their key signaling pathways and factors, and discusses targeted therapies for cancer stem cells. Investigating these mechanisms and signaling pathways responsible for treatment failure may help identify new therapeutic pathways in cancer.
Keyphrases
- cancer stem cells
- signaling pathway
- induced apoptosis
- cancer therapy
- pi k akt
- cell cycle arrest
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- public health
- papillary thyroid
- gene expression
- oxidative stress
- bone marrow
- transcription factor
- single cell
- cell proliferation
- young adults
- cell death
- replacement therapy
- smoking cessation