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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
11:28
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Cancer stem cells: a review
John B Spillane1, Michael A Henderson
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. john.spillane@petermac.org
ANZ Journal of Surgery
|May 16, 2007
Summary
Research explores stem cell biology
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Cancer research
- Tumorigenesis
Background:
- Increasing research in stem cell applications for clinical medicine.
- Focus on stem cell roles in tumor evolution and metastasis.
- Tumor formation potentially linked to stem cell self-renewal pathway disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of stem cells in tumor development and spread.
- Explore cancer stem cells as potential targets for new therapies.
- Understand stem cell involvement in tumorigenesis for improved diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on stem cell biology and cancer.
- Identification of cancer stem cells in various tumor types.
- Analysis of stem cell self-renewal pathways in malignancy.
Main Results:
- Cancer stem cells identified in acute myeloid leukemia, breast, and CNS tumors.
- Stem cells implicated as targets for malignant transformation.
- Evidence suggests cancer stem cells play a role in tumor metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cancer stem cells is crucial for developing prognostic markers.
- Targeting cancer stem cells offers potential for novel therapeutic interventions.
- Stem cell biology provides key insights into tumor progression and metastasis.
Related Concept Videos
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
01:18Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...