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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
12:16
Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma
Published on: March 13, 2013
Stem cell-like cancer cells in cancer cell lines
1Laboratory for Cell Lineage Modulation, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, Kobe 650-0047, Japan. tkondo@cdb.riken.jp
Cancer Biomarkers : Section a of Disease Markers
|October 6, 2007
Summary
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) share traits with stem cells, self-renew, and resist treatments. Cancer cell lines offer a promising alternative for studying these crucial cancer stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer cells and stem cells exhibit unlimited proliferation.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess stem cell markers (e.g., CD133) and drug efflux capabilities.
- CSCs are implicated in tumor formation and treatment resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in cancer stem cell research.
- To highlight the utility of cancer cell lines for CSC studies.
- To explore CSC characteristics and therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of CSCs based on stem cell properties (self-renewal, marker expression, tumorigenicity).
- Investigation of CSC resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Utilizing cancer cell lines as a model system, free from normal stem cell contamination.
Main Results:
- CSCs are present in various tumors and cancer cell lines.
- CSCs demonstrate self-renewal, express stem cell markers, and are tumorigenic.
- CSCs exhibit resistance to conventional anti-cancer therapies.
Conclusions:
- Cancer stem cells are a critical therapeutic target due to their role in tumorigenesis and treatment resistance.
- Cancer cell lines provide a valuable and less contaminated model for CSC research compared to primary tumors.
- Further research using cancer cell lines can advance CSC-targeted therapies.
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