CD117/c-kit in Cancer Stem Cell-Mediated Progression and Therapeutic Resistance

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Stem Cell Research

Background:

• Metastasis is a leading cause of cancer mortality, often occurring during tumor progression or post-therapy recurrence.
• Cancer stem-like cells and metastasis-initiating cells are implicated in tumor recurrence at primary and secondary sites.
• Identifying these stem-like cells is crucial for developing effective anti-cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of the stem cell factor/CD117 (SCF/CD117) signaling axis in cancer progression.
• To examine the potential of CD117 as a marker for cancer stem-like cells.
• To explore how SCF/CD117 signaling influences stemness and therapeutic resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating CD117 expression and function in cancer.
• Analysis of research on the SCF/CD117 pathway in cancer stem cells and metastasis.
• Examination of evidence linking SCF/CD117 signaling to cancer progression and drug resistance.

Main Results:

• CD117 (c-kit) is a potential marker for cancer stem-like cells, associated with cancer progression.
• Activation of CD117 by SCF stimulates pathways regulating proliferation, survival, and migration in progenitor cells.
• The SCF/CD117 axis may play a role in maintaining cancer stemness and conferring resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• The SCF/CD117 signaling axis is a potential regulator of cancer stemness and progression.
• Targeting the SCF/CD117 pathway may offer new therapeutic strategies for metastatic cancers.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of CD117 in cancer metastasis and recurrence.