Targeting cancer stem cells for reversing therapy resistance: mechanism, signaling, and prospective agents

• Published in: Signal transduction and targeted therapy Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 62 - 17
• Main Authors: Zhou, He-Ming, Zhang, Ji-Gang, Zhang, Xue, Li, Qin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 15.02.2021; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/67/1059; 631/67/71; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Cancer Research; Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm - genetics; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplastic Stem Cells - drug effects; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Oncology; Pathology; Review; Review Article; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Stem cells
• ISSN: 2059-3635; 2095-9907; 2059-3635
• DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00430-1

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) show a self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential that contribute to tumor progression and therapy resistance. However, the underlying processes are still unclear. Elucidation of the key hallmarks and resistance mechanisms of CSCs may help improve patient outcomes and reduce relapse by altering therapeutic regimens. Here, we reviewed the identification of CSCs, the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of therapy resistance in CSCs, the signaling pathways of CSCs that mediate treatment failure, and potential CSC-targeting agents in various tumors from the clinical perspective. Targeting the mechanisms and pathways described here might contribute to further drug discovery and therapy.