Cancer Stem Cells: The Architects of the Tumor Ecosystem

• Published in: Cell stem cell Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 41 - 53
• Main Authors: Prager, Briana C., Xie, Qi, Bao, Shideng, Rich, Jeremy N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 03.01.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Extracellular Matrix - pathology; Humans; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Tumor Microenvironment
• ISSN: 1934-5909; 1875-9777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.12.009

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) proactively remodel their microenvironment to maintain a supportive niche. Viewed through the lens of an ecosystem, numerous tumor components have multi-directional interactions involving CSCs, supporting the complexity of tumors to maintain growth in a dynamic host. In this Perspective, we discuss how CSCs are active architects of their microenvironment and drive interactions with other tumor components, such as immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and differentiated cells, blood vessels, and other extracellular cues to engineer a sustainable niche. We also highlight considerations for modeling this dynamic tumor ecology and discuss potential therapeutic strategies for targeting these multifaceted interactions. In this Perspective, Prager et al. discuss how cancer stem cells are active architects of their microenvironment and drive interactions with a myriad of other tumor components to engineer a sustainable niche. They also highlight considerations for modeling this dynamic tumor ecology and discuss potential niche-targeting therapeutic strategies.