Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
09:25
Establishment of Cancer Stem Cell Cultures from Human Conventional Osteosarcoma
Published on: October 14, 2016
Stem cells and cancer: an overview.
Kevin M Sales1, Marc C Winslet, Alexander M Seifalian
1Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Centre, Academic Division of Surgical and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
Stem Cell Reviews
|October 24, 2007
Summary
Cancer stem cells are crucial for tumor development and metastasis. Identifying their specific markers, like CD44, aids in understanding and treating various cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly recognized for their role in tumor progression.
- Key CSC markers have been identified across diverse cancers, including solid tumors and leukemias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in understanding cancer stem cells.
- To discuss the identified markers associated with cancer stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cancer stem cells and their markers.
- Analysis of studies using surface antigens (e.g., CD44) for CSC isolation and characterization.
- In vivo tumor induction models as definitive proof of CSC tumorigenicity.
Main Results:
- Cancer stem cells are key drivers of tumor formation (tumorigenicity).
- Specific markers, such as CD44, help isolate and identify CSCs.
- Tumorigenicity is definitively proven through in vivo induction studies.
Conclusions:
- Cancer stem cells play a vital role in cancer progression, treatment, and metastasis.
- Understanding CSC markers is essential for developing targeted therapies.
- Challenges exist due to marker overlap with other cell types, necessitating rigorous validation.
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...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
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...