Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Radiosensitivity of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: August 21, 2019
The molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic resistance of cancer stem cells
Jun-Kyum Kim1, Hee-Young Jeon, Hyunggee Kim
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 5-ga, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Life Science West Building 207, Seoul, 136-713, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Chemo-resistance and radio-resistance are a major cause of recurrence and progression of many cancers, regardless of improvements in therapies. Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) were identified as a rare population with the abilities of self-renewal; tumor initiation; aberrant differentiation, which contributes to tumor heterogeneity; and resistance to anticancer therapeutics, they have been considered a major cause of tumor recurrence post-therapy and a primary therapeutic target in relapse prevention. A number of studies have demonstrated the mechanisms underlying chemo-resistance and radio-resistance of CSCs. In this review, we describe intrinsic and extrinsic factors underlying CSC chemo-resistance and radio-resistance. The intrinsic factors regulate CSC signaling pathways involved in stem cell signaling, anti-apoptotic pathways, ABC transporter expression, and DNA damage repair systems. The extrinsic factors include the resistance mechanisms resulting from the interactions between CSCs and the microenvironment composed of vessels, fibroblasts, immune cells, extracellular matrix, and diverse soluble factors. Furthermore, we introduce diverse therapeutic agents used in experimental or clinical trials to target CSCs. Understanding how CSCs acquire resistance to anticancer therapeutics will give us opportunity to develop improved therapeutic approaches.
Insights
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor recurrence due to chemo-resistance and radio-resistance. Understanding these resistance mechanisms is key to developing effective relapse prevention therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Stem Cell Research
Background:
- Chemo-resistance and radio-resistance in cancer lead to recurrence and progression.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in therapeutic resistance and tumor relapse.
- CSCs possess self-renewal, tumor initiation, and aberrant differentiation capabilities, contributing to tumor heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to chemo-resistance and radio-resistance in CSCs.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which CSCs evade anticancer therapies.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs for relapse prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on CSC resistance mechanisms.
- Analysis of intrinsic factors (signaling pathways, anti-apoptotic pathways, ABC transporters, DNA repair).
- Examination of extrinsic factors (tumor microenvironment interactions).
Main Results:
- Intrinsic factors involve CSC signaling, apoptosis evasion, drug efflux, and DNA repair.
- Extrinsic factors arise from CSC interactions with the tumor microenvironment (vessels, fibroblasts, immune cells, ECM, soluble factors).
- Various therapeutic agents targeting CSCs are under investigation.
Conclusions:
- CSCs are a significant cause of cancer recurrence due to their inherent resistance.
- Understanding CSC resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing novel therapeutic approaches.
- Targeting CSCs holds promise for preventing cancer relapse and improving treatment outcomes.
More Related Videos
08:59Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down
Published on: December 11, 2017
07:29Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies
Published on: June 20, 2015
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
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
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...