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Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity - A Deadly Deal
Archana P Thankamony1,2, Kritika Saxena3, Reshma Murali1
1Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|May 20, 2020
Summary
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) drive tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. Understanding CSC plasticity, including metabolic and state switching, is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Intratumoral heterogeneity poses a significant challenge in cancer therapy.
- Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are implicated in tumor diversity, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis.
- Subpopulations of CSCs exhibit varying traits, influencing dissemination and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) plasticity.
- To explore the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms underlying CSC plasticity.
- To discuss the role of CSC plasticity in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on CSC plasticity.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms, including Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- Examination of computational (in silico) approaches for characterizing cancer cell plasticity.
Main Results:
- CSCs exhibit significant plasticity, including metabolic flexibility and state switching.
- Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key factor in CSC plasticity.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) and genetic/epigenetic factors influence CSC plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Deciphering CSC plasticity mechanisms is vital for improving cancer treatment strategies.
- Considering cellular plasticity and heterogeneity is essential for overcoming drug resistance.
- In silico methods offer promising avenues for characterizing cancer cell plasticity.
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