Therapeutic Targeting of Signaling Pathways Related to Cancer Stemness

• Published in: Frontiers in Oncology Vol. 10; p. 1533
• Main Authors: Asunción Espinosa-Sánchez, Elisa Suárez-Martínez, Laura Sánchez-Díaz, Amancio Carnero
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media SA 26.08.2020; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: cancer; CSC; EMT; Medical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Cells::Stem Cells::Neoplastic Stem Cells; Medical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Transcription Factors; Medical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Enzymes and Coenzymes::Enzymes::Transferases::Phosphotransferases::Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)::Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Medical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Pharmaceutical Preparations; Medical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms; Medical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathologic Processes::Disease Attributes::Recurrence; Medical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::Humans; Medical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Cell Physiological Phenomena::Cell Physiological Processes::Cell Differentiation; Medical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Cell Physiological Phenomena::Cell Physiological Processes::Cell Transdifferentiation::Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Medical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Cell Physiological Phenomena::Cell Physiological Processes::Signal Transduction; Medical Subject Headings::Psychiatry and Psychology::Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms::Motivation::Goals; Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens; Oncology; RC254-282; stem cell-like pathways; therapy
• ISSN: 2234-943X; 2234-943X
• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01533

The theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs) proposes that the different cells within a tumor, as well as metastasis deriving from it, are originated from a single subpopulation of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These cancer stem cells are supposed to be critical for tumor expansion and metastasis, tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemo- and radiotherapy. The acquisition of these abilities has been attributed to the activation of alternative pathways, for instance, WNT, NOTCH, SHH, PI3K, Hippo, or NF-κB pathways, that regulate detoxification mechanisms; increase the metabolic rate; induce resistance to apoptotic, autophagic, and senescence pathways; promote the overexpression of drug transporter proteins; and activate specific stem cell transcription factors. The elimination of CSCs is an important goal in cancer therapeutic approaches because it could decrease relapses and metastatic dissemination, which are main causes of mortality in oncology patients. In this work, we discuss the role of these signaling pathways in CSCs along with their therapeutic potential.The theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs) proposes that the different cells within a tumor, as well as metastasis deriving from it, are originated from a single subpopulation of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These cancer stem cells are supposed to be critical for tumor expansion and metastasis, tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemo- and radiotherapy. The acquisition of these abilities has been attributed to the activation of alternative pathways, for instance, WNT, NOTCH, SHH, PI3K, Hippo, or NF-κB pathways, that regulate detoxification mechanisms; increase the metabolic rate; induce resistance to apoptotic, autophagic, and senescence pathways; promote the overexpression of drug transporter proteins; and activate specific stem cell transcription factors. The elimination of CSCs is an important goal in cancer therapeutic approaches because it could decrease relapses and metastatic dissemination, which are main causes of mortality in oncology patients. In this work, we discuss the role of these signaling pathways in CSCs along with their therapeutic potential.