Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

5.2K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
5.2K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

6.1K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
6.1K
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells01:18

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

3.8K
A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
3.8K
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

5.6K
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
5.6K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

4.0K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.0K
Cancer02:18

Cancer

51.4K
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
51.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Safranal improves the anticancer efficacy of sorafenib via transcriptomic reprogramming and metabolomic changes in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine-induced cirrhosis-hepatocellular carcinoma.

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology·2026
Same author

Macrophage metabolism directs regenerative versus fibrotic healing through BMP signaling in the mouse digit tip.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Brain viral reservoir seeding and neurological metabolic dysregulation in early-life immunodeficiency virus infection.

Brain pathology (Zurich, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Multi-Omics Reveals Mechanisms of Metabolic Rejuvenation in Aged Mice and Pre-Frail Older Men by Losartan.

Aging cell·2026
Same author

A 15-layer multi-omics analysis of gastric cancer ecotypes provides therapeutic insights.

Cell reports. Medicine·2026
Same author

Metabolic reprogramming by caloric restriction enhances acute phase virological control and reduces chronic inflammation in SIV-infected rhesus macaques.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies
07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

19.8K

Cancer Stem Cell Metabolism.

Fidelia B Alvina1, Arvin M Gouw2, Anne Le3,4

  • 1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 20, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor recurrence and possess self-renewal capabilities. These cells reprogram their metabolism to support cancer growth, highlighting their critical role in tumorigenesis.

Keywords:
Cancer stem cellGlucose metabolismGlutamine metabolismLipid metabolismMetabolic plasticityMitochondrial metabolism

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
11:28

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Published on: May 11, 2016

8.7K
Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
07:03

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Published on: October 2, 2020

4.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies
07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

19.8K
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
11:28

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Published on: May 11, 2016

8.7K
Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
07:03

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Published on: October 2, 2020

4.8K

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are a subset of cells within tumors.
  • CSCs share properties with normal stem cells, including self-renewal and proliferation, and are linked to tumor recurrence post-therapy.
  • Their presence is confirmed across diverse cancers like AML, breast, pancreatic, and lung cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the origin and metabolic reprogramming of cancer stem cells.
  • To understand the role of CSCs in tumor recurrence and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on CSCs.
  • Analysis of theories on CSC origins (from stem/progenitor cells or differentiated cells).

Main Results:

  • CSCs are implicated in tumor recurrence and possess self-renewal capacity.
  • Two primary theories exist regarding CSC origins: transformation of normal stem/progenitor cells or dedifferentiation of mature cells.
  • Regardless of origin, CSCs exhibit metabolic reprogramming essential for tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer stem cells are crucial drivers of tumor initiation and progression.
  • Metabolic reprogramming is a key mechanism enabling CSC survival and function.
  • Understanding CSC origins and metabolism is vital for developing effective cancer therapies.