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Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung, Head and Neck, and Bladder Cancers

Sarah E Mudra1, Pritam Sadhukhan2, M Talha Ugurlu2

  • 1School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.

Cancers
|October 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive therapy resistance in solid tumors. Novel targeted agents are crucial to overcome this resistance and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • Therapy resistance is a major challenge in treating solid malignancies.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a resistant subpopulation crucial for tumor recurrence and metastasis.
  • Targeting CSCs is essential for overcoming therapeutic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel targeted agents for combating cancer stem cells (CSCs).
  • To highlight the role of CSCs in intrinsic and acquired therapy resistance.
  • To discuss strategies for selectively targeting CSCs in resistant tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of novel targeted agents against CSCs.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways (WNT/β-catenin, Notch, Hippo, Hedgehog) involved in CSC generation and resistance.
  • Examination of CSC interaction with the tumor microenvironment and immune system.

Main Results:

  • CSCs possess self-renewal and differentiation capacities, contributing to therapeutic resistance.
  • Deregulated signaling pathways are implicated in CSC generation and resistance.
  • CSCs influence carcinogenesis, metastasis, and tumor recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • Novel targeted agents are fundamental for advancing cancer treatment against resistant tumors.
  • Understanding CSC biology and resistance mechanisms is key to developing effective therapies.
  • Selective targeting of CSCs offers a promising strategy to overcome intrinsic and acquired resistance.
Keywords:
bladder cancercancer recurrencecancer stem cellshead and neck cancerlung cancersignaling pathwaystargeted therapytherapeutic resistancetumor microenvironment

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