Cancer Stem Cells: A New Paradigm for Understanding Tumor Growth and Progression and Drug Resistance

Authors: Gangemi, Rosaria; Paleari, Laura; Orengo, Anna M.; Cesario, Alfredo; Chessa, Leonardo; Ferrini, Silvano; Russo, Patrizia

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 16, Number 14, May 2009 , pp. 1688-1703(16)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Normal somatic stem cells (SC) are naturally resistant to chemotherapeutic agents due to their expression of various membrane transporter molecules (such as MDR-1), detoxifying enzymes and DNA repair proteins. In addition, they also have a slow rate of cell turnover and therefore escape from chemotherapeutic agents that target rapidly replicating cells. Cancer stem cells (CSC), being the mutated counterparts of normal SC, also have similar properties, which allow them to survive therapy. These surviving CSC then repopulate the tumor, causing relapse. The purpose of this review is to understand the most current research into the cellular and molecular biology of CSC. Topics that will be explored are the origin of CSC, the CSC niche, the regulation of self-renewal in normal and cancer SC, and CSC as therapeutic targets.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709788186147

Affiliations: 1: Lung Cancer Unit, National Cancer Research Institute, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, I-16132 Genova ITALIA.

Publication date: 2009-05-01

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Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.