Cancer stem cells: A review from origin to therapeutic implications

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 235; no. 2; pp. 790 - 803
• Main Authors: Atashzar, Mohammad Reza, Baharlou, Rasoul, Karami, Jafar, Abdollahi, Hamid, Rezaei, Ramazan, Pourramezan, Fatemeh, Zoljalali Moghaddam, Seyed Hamid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Biological properties; Cancer; cancer stem cell; Cancer therapies; chemoresistance; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; Radiation therapy; Radioresistance; Stem cells; Therapeutic applications; therapeutic implication; Tumors; therapeutic implication; chemoresistance; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; cancer stem cell; radioresistance
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29044

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor‐initiating cells (TICs), are elucidated as cells that can perpetuate themselves via autorestoration. These cells are highly resistant to current therapeutic approaches and are the main reason for cancer recurrence. Radiotherapy has made a lot of contributions to cancer treatment. However, despite continuous achievements, therapy resistance and tumor recurrence are still prevalent in most patients. This resistance might be partly related to the existence of CSCs. In the present study, recent advances in the investigation of different biological properties of CSCs, such as their origin, markers, characteristics, and targeting have been reviewed. We have also focused our discussion on radioresistance and adaptive responses of CSCs and their related extrinsic and intrinsic influential factors. In summary, we suggest CSCs as the prime therapeutic target for cancer treatment.