Cancer stem cell research in Iran: potentials and challenges

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cancer treatments face challenges like drug resistance, metastasis, and relapse.
• Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells proposed to drive tumor progression and treatment failure.
• The field of CSC research has seen significant global growth since the initial discovery in acute myeloid leukemia in 1997.

Observation:

• The first Iranian research on CSCs, focusing on prostate cancer, was published in 2004.
• There has been a consistent and accelerating annual increase in CSC-related publications originating from Iran.
• This growing trend indicates expanding research activity and interest in CSCs within the Iranian scientific community.

Findings:

• This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the landscape of CSC research conducted in Iran.
• It analyzes the historical development and current trajectory of CSC studies within the country.
• The findings underscore the dynamic expansion of this critical research area in Iran.

Implications:

• Understanding the trends in Iranian CSC research can inform future national and international collaborations.
• This evaluation can guide resource allocation and strategic planning for cancer stem cell research in Iran.
• The review highlights Iran's increasing contribution to the global understanding of cancer stem cells and their role in cancer biology.