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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma
Published on: March 13, 2013
CD133, Selectively Targeting the Root of Cancer
Jörg U Schmohl1,2, Daniel A Vallera3
1University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Section of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55423, USA. jschmohl@gmx.de.
Abstract:
Cancer stem cells (CSC) are capable of promoting tumor initiation and self-renewal, two important hallmarks of carcinoma formation. This population comprises a small percentage of the tumor mass and is highly resistant to chemotherapy, causing the most difficult problem in the field of cancer research, drug refractory relapse. Many CSC markers have been reported. One of the most promising and perhaps least ubiquitous is CD133, a membrane-bound pentaspan glycoprotein that is frequently expressed on CSC. There is evidence that directly targeting CD133 with biological drugs might be the most effective way to eliminate CSC. We have investigated two entirely unrelated, but highly effective approaches for selectively targeting CD133. The first involves using a special anti-CD133 single chain variable fragment (scFv) to deliver a catalytic toxin. The second utilizes this same scFv to deliver components of the immune system. In this review, we discuss the development and current status of these CD133 associated biological agents. Together, they show exceptional promise by specific and efficient CSC elimination.
Insights
Targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) via the CD133 marker shows promise. Novel biological agents using anti-CD133 single chain variable fragments (scFv) deliver toxins or immune components for CSC elimination.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor initiation, self-renewal, and chemotherapy resistance.
- Drug-refractory relapse is a major challenge in cancer research, often linked to CSCs.
- CD133 is a promising CSC marker, though not universally expressed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel biological agents targeting CD133 for CSC elimination.
- To discuss two distinct approaches utilizing anti-CD133 single chain variable fragments (scFv).
Main Methods:
- Development of anti-CD133 scFv for targeted delivery.
- Utilizing scFv to deliver catalytic toxins to CSCs.
- Employing scFv to deliver immune system components for CSC targeting.
Main Results:
- Two distinct biological agent strategies targeting CD133 were investigated.
- Both approaches demonstrated high efficacy in selectively targeting CD133.
- The agents showed potential for specific and efficient CSC elimination.
Conclusions:
- Targeting CD133 with biological agents offers a promising strategy against CSCs.
- scFv-based delivery systems are effective for both toxin and immune component payloads.
- These CD133-associated agents present a novel therapeutic avenue for refractory cancers.
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