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Targeting cancer stem cells in the clinic: Current status and perspectives

Stephanie Annett1, Tracy Robson1

  • 1Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Ireland.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|February 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive treatment resistance and relapse. Targeting CSCs via cell surface receptors and signaling pathways shows promise for new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in chemotherapy resistance and tumor relapse, posing significant clinical challenges.
  • CSCs can evade various novel therapeutic strategies, including targeted agents, immunotherapies, and anti-angiogenics.
  • Identifying and isolating CSCs remains a major hurdle in cancer research and treatment development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and evaluate current therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs).
  • To discuss the challenges and advancements in identifying and isolating CSCs for therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cancer stem cell biology and therapeutic targeting.
  • Evaluation of pre-clinical and clinical data for agents targeting CSCs.
  • Discussion of novel technologies for CSC identification and isolation.

Main Results:

  • Agents targeting CSC-associated cell surface receptors and signaling pathways have shown promising pre-clinical results.
  • Several CSC-targeting agents are advancing into clinical trials.
  • Novel technologies are being employed to overcome challenges in CSC identification and isolation.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cancer stem cells is a critical strategy to overcome treatment resistance and prevent cancer relapse.
  • Advancements in CSC identification and therapeutic targeting offer new hope for improved cancer patient outcomes.
  • Further clinical investigation of CSC-targeting agents is warranted.
Keywords:
Cancer relapseCancer stem cellsClinical trialPersonalized medicineTargeted therapyTumor initiating cells

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