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Combination of chemotherapy and cancer stem cell targeting agents: Preclinical and clinical studies

Yanyan Li1, Katharine Atkinson1, Tao Zhang2

  • 1College of Science and Humanities, Husson University, 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME, 04401, USA.

Cancer Letters
|March 17, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cancer stem cells drive tumor growth and recurrence, often resisting therapy. Targeting these cells with new agents alongside chemotherapy shows promise in preclinical studies, with clinical trials ongoing.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • The cancer stem cell (CSC) model posits that tumors originate from and are sustained by a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells.
  • CSCs exhibit phenotypes linked to therapeutic resistance and disease relapse.
  • Targeting CSCs is a key strategy to overcome treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current preclinical and clinical strategies for targeting cancer stem cells.
  • To discuss the potential of combining CSC-targeting agents with conventional chemotherapy.
  • To provide an updated overview of research in this rapidly evolving field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical (cell and animal) studies investigating CSC-targeting strategies.
  • Analysis of ongoing and completed clinical trials evaluating combination therapies.
  • Discussion of various CSC targeting approaches, including signaling pathway inhibition, modulation of drug efflux, epigenetic reprogramming, and differentiation induction.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical evidence strongly supports the efficacy of combining chemotherapy with CSC-targeting agents.
  • Multiple strategies are being explored to inhibit CSC self-renewal, drug resistance, and epigenetic dysregulation.
  • Clinical trials are actively investigating the safety and effectiveness of these combination treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cancer stem cells represents a promising therapeutic avenue to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Combination therapies involving CSC-targeting agents and chemotherapy warrant further clinical investigation.
  • Addressing CSC-mediated therapeutic resistance is crucial for preventing cancer recurrence and improving patient survival.
Keywords:
Cancer stem cellsChemotherapyCombination therapy

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