Cancer stem cells: the theory and perspectives in cancer therapy

• Authors: J. Gil , A. Stembalska , K.A. Pesz , M.M. Sasiadek
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The cancer stem cell theory elucidates not only the issue of tumour initiation and development, tumour's ability to metastasise and reoccur, but also the ineffectiveness of conventional cancer therapy. This review examines stem cell properties, such as self-renewal, heterogeneity, and resistance to apoptosis. The ?niche' hypothesis is presented, and mechanisms of division, differentiation, self-renewal and signalling pathway regulation are explained. Epigenetic alterations and mutations of genes responsible for signal transmission may promote the formation of cancer stem cells. We also present the history of development of the cancer stem cell theory and discuss the experiments that led to the discovery and confirmation of the existence of cancer stem cells. Potential clinical applications are also considered, including therapeutic models aimed at selective elimination of cancer stem cells or induction of their proper differentiation.

Keywords

EN

CANCER; STEM CELL; THERAPY

Discipline

• GENETICS: GENETICS

• Publisher: Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Journal of Applied Genetics
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 193-199

Contributors

author

J. Gil

author

A. Stembalska

author

K.A. Pesz

author

M.M. Sasiadek

• Document Type: ARTICLE
• Publication order reference: Justyna Gil, Department of Genetics, Medical University of Wroclaw, Marcinkowskiego 1, 50?368 Wroc?aw, Poland