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11:15

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Published on: September 20, 2016

Cell of origin of lung cancer

Jennifer M Hanna1, Mark W Onaitis

  • 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham.

Journal of Carcinogenesis
|April 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Understanding lung cancer stem cells is crucial for developing new therapies. This review explores the role of normal lung stem cells and cancer-initiating cells in lung tumor development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, with current treatments yielding disappointing outcomes.
  • Identifying the cell of origin for lung cancer is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with stem cell properties in solid tumors are implicated in therapeutic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on normal lung stem cells and lung cancer stem cells.
  • To discuss the role of cancer-initiating cells and normal stem cells in lung tumor development.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic computerized literature search of the MEDLINE database was conducted.
  • Articles focusing on normal lung stem cells, lung cancer stem cells, or progenitor cells were identified.

Main Results:

  • Understanding the epithelial stem cell hierarchy in the lung is incomplete.
  • Tumor heterogeneity and lack of effective in vivo models hinder progress in CSC research.
  • Existing literature provides insights into the potential roles of stem cells in lung tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Further research into lung stem cells and cancer-initiating cells is vital for advancing lung cancer therapeutics.
  • Addressing the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and model systems is critical for future progress.
  • Elucidating the function of stem cells may unlock new avenues for treating lung cancer.
Keywords:
Cancer-initiating cellslung cancerprogenitor cellsstem cells

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