Cancer stem cells as targets for cancer therapy: Selected cancers as examples

• Authors: S. Hombach-Klonisch , T. Paranjothy , E. Wiechec , P. Pocar , T. Mustafa , A. Seifert , C. Zahl , K.L. Gerlach , K. Biermann , K. Steger , C. Hoang-Vu , K. Schulze-Osthoff , M. Los
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

It is becoming increasingly evident that cancer constitutes a group of diseases involving altered stem-cell maturation/differentiation and the disturbance of regenerative processes. The observed malignant transformation is merely a symptom of normal differentiation processes gone astray rather than the primary event. This review focuses on the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in three common but also relatively under-investigated cancers: head and neck, ovarian, and testicular cancer. For didactic purpose, the physiology of stem cells is first introduced using hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells as examples. This is followed by a discussion of the (possible) role of CSCs in head and neck, ovarian, and testicular cancer. Aside from basic information about the pathophysiology of these cancers, current research results focused on the discovery of molecular markers specific to these cancers are also discussed. The last part of the review is largely dedicated to signaling pathways active within various normal and CSC types (e.g. Nanog, Nestin, Notch1, Notch2, Oct3 and 4, Wnt). Different elements of these pathways are also discussed in the context of therapeutic opportunities for the development of targeted therapies aimed at CSCs. Finally, alternative targeted anticancer therapies arising from recently identified molecules with cancer-(semi-)selective capabilities (e.g. apoptin, Brevinin-2R) are considered.

Keywords

EN

CANCER; CANCER THERAPY; NANOG; NESTIN; NOTCH; STEM CELL

Discipline

• IMMUNOLOGY: IMMUNOLOGY

• Publisher: Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 165-180

Contributors

author

S. Hombach-Klonisch

author

T. Paranjothy

author

E. Wiechec

author

P. Pocar

author

T. Mustafa

author

A. Seifert

author

C. Zahl

author

K.L. Gerlach

author

K. Biermann

author

K. Steger

author

C. Hoang-Vu

author

K. Schulze-Osthoff

author

M. Los

• Document Type: REVIEW
• Publication order reference: Marek Los, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada