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Updated: Feb 2, 2026
A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Published on: May 17, 2021
Dormant, quiescent, tolerant and persister cells: Four synonyms for the same target in cancer
François M Vallette1, Christophe Olivier2, Frédéric Lézot3
1INSERM, U1232, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Tea 9 "Apopotosis and Tumor Progression", LabCT, CRCINA, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, 44805 cedex, Saint Herblain, France.
Abstract:
Although many drugs/treatments are now available for most diseases, too often, resistance to these treatments impedes complete therapeutic success. Acquired resistance is a major problem in many pathologies but it is an acute one in cancers and infections. This is probably because these diseases often require long durations of treatment, which ascribe to the selection of resistant cells. However, the actual mechanisms implicated in the selection process are still under debate. It is becoming increasingly clear that resistance is associated with the heterogeneity of cancer cells or micro-organisms and that multiple mechanisms underlie the emergence of drug-resistant subpopulations. Recently, it has been suggested that a subpopulation of drug tolerant cells present in cancer populations and called "persisters" play a major role in this resistance. Recent studies have shown that microorganisms share similar properties. Still, how persister/tolerant cells intervene in the development of resistance is not completely elucidated but seems to be related to epigenetic changes in treated cells and the capacity of persisters to modulate and/or highjack their microenvironment. Due to the complexity of this process, the input from mathematicians, as well as new methods of bioinformatics and statistics, is necessary to fully comprehend the acquisition of resistance/tolerance deriving from and leading to the heterogeneous cell populations. The present review will give a brief overview of the most recent data available on drug tolerant cells in cancers and their similarities with microorganisms.
Insights
Drug-tolerant persister cells in cancers and infections contribute to treatment resistance. Understanding these cells
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Acquired treatment resistance is a significant challenge in managing cancers and infections, often necessitating prolonged therapies.
- Cellular heterogeneity and the emergence of drug-resistant subpopulations are key factors contributing to therapeutic failure.
- Persister cells, a subpopulation exhibiting transient drug tolerance, are increasingly recognized for their role in acquired resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on drug-tolerant persister cells in cancer.
- To explore the similarities between persister cells in cancers and microorganisms.
- To highlight the mechanisms underlying persister cell-mediated resistance, including epigenetic changes and microenvironment modulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on drug tolerance and resistance in cancer and microbial infections.
- Comparative analysis of persister cell properties in different disease contexts.
- Discussion of emerging roles of epigenetic modifications and microenvironmental interactions.
Main Results:
- Persister cells play a crucial role in the development of acquired drug resistance in both cancer and microbial infections.
- Similarities exist in the behavior and mechanisms of persister cells across different pathologies.
- Epigenetic alterations and microenvironmental modulation by persisters are implicated in resistance development.
Conclusions:
- Drug-tolerant persister cells are a common mechanism underlying treatment resistance in diverse diseases.
- Further research, integrating mathematical modeling and advanced bioinformatics, is needed to fully elucidate persister cell dynamics.
- Targeting persister cells represents a potential strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance.
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