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Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer 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 and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer 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...

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

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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:...

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

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The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Published on: May 11, 2016

Cancer stem cell subsets and their relationships.

Hai-Guang Liu¹, Chong Chen, Han Yang

¹Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.

Journal of Translational Medicine

|May 6, 2011

Summary

Cancer stem cells drive cancer initiation and progression. This study introduces a "horizontal hierarchy" concept to better understand cancer stem cell subsets for novel therapeutic strategies.

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Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

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Published on: May 11, 2016

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors

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Establishment of Cancer Stem Cell Cultures from Human Conventional Osteosarcoma

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Published on: October 14, 2016

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology

Background:

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in cancer initiation, progression, and recurrence.
Existing research has identified various CSCs with distinct markers, highlighting heterogeneity.
CSCs exist in hierarchical populations, including precancerous, primary, migrating, and chemoradioresistant subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a novel conceptual framework: the "horizontal hierarchy of cancer stem cells."
To differentiate this new model from traditional vertical hierarchies and other cell types (transient-amplifying, differentiated cells).
To consolidate current knowledge on CSC subsets to inform new cancer treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

Conceptual framework development.
Literature review and synthesis of existing CSC research.
Comparative analysis of CSC hierarchies.

Main Results:

Introduction of the "horizontal hierarchy" model for CSCs.
Distinction between horizontal and vertical CSC hierarchies.
Identification of distinct CSC subsets with varying roles in cancer progression.

Conclusions:

The horizontal hierarchy model offers a new perspective on CSC heterogeneity.
Understanding these CSC subsets is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
This framework may pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies against cancer.