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Complexity in cancer stem cells and tumor evolution: Toward precision medicine
Caterina A M La Porta1, Stefano Zapperi2
1Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Seminars in Cancer Biology
|March 4, 2017
Summary
Cancer stem cell plasticity challenges traditional tumor models, suggesting non-stem cells can adopt stem cell traits. This has major implications for understanding cancer metastasis and developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The cancer stem cell (CSC) model proposes a strict hierarchy in tumor cell populations.
- Recent findings challenge this rigid structure, indicating CSCs are not a fixed entity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in cancer stem cell plasticity.
- To explore the implications of CSC plasticity for cancer metastasis.
- To guide therapeutic interventions and precision medicine strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on CSC plasticity.
- Analysis of experimental evidence regarding phenotypic switching in tumor cells.
- Discussion of the role of the immune system and microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Cancer cell populations exhibit significant plasticity, with non-CSCs capable of reverting to a CSC phenotype.
- The depletion of CSCs does not eliminate tumor-regenerating potential due to this plasticity.
- Plasticity allows non-CSC migratory cells to initiate metastasis, broadening the understanding of the metastatic process.
Conclusions:
- The concept of CSC plasticity necessitates a re-evaluation of cancer hierarchy models.
- Understanding phenotypic switching is crucial for developing effective anti-metastasis therapies.
- Targeting CSC plasticity, influenced by the microenvironment and immune system, offers new avenues for precision medicine.
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