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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...

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

Distinctive 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:...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Published on: October 14, 2015

Cancer stem cells and angiogenesis.

Yue Zhao¹, Qi Bao, Andrea Renner

¹Department of Surgery, Klinikum Grosshadern, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

The International Journal of Developmental Biology

|July 7, 2011

Summary

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor growth and therapy resistance. Targeting the CSC niche, the microenvironment supporting these cells, may offer a novel strategy against solid tumors.

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Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

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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

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Stem Cell Research

Background:

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation driving tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance.
CSCs interact with their microenvironment, forming a specialized niche that supports their self-renewal and maintenance.
Recent research highlights the interplay between CSCs and angiogenesis within this proposed 'vascular niche'.

Purpose of the Study:

To review evidence on the interaction between cancer stem cells and angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment.
To explore the concept of a cancer stem cell niche and its role in tumor development.
To propose novel therapeutic strategies targeting the CSC niche.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies published in the last 5 years.
Analysis of research on CSC characteristics, self-renewal, and interaction with the tumor microenvironment.
Synthesis of findings related to CSCs, angiogenesis, and the proposed vascular niche.

Main Results:

CSCs possess stem cell features and contribute to tumor initiation, progression, angiogenesis, and therapy resistance.
A cancer stem cell niche exists, providing essential support for CSC self-renewal and maintenance.
Evidence indicates a significant interaction between CSCs and angiogenesis within the vascular niche.

Conclusions:

The cancer stem cell niche plays a critical role in supporting CSCs and promoting tumor growth.
Targeting the CSC niche, in combination with anti-CSC therapies, presents a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
Further research into the CSC niche and its interactions is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.