Cancer Stem Cells from Definition to Detection and Targeted Drugs

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Stem Cell Research

Background:

• Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality.
• Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and Leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) are implicated in metastasis and treatment failure.
• Mechanisms of CSC/LSC actions in metastasis are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on CSCs/LSCs' role in cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance.
• To explore CSC/LSC plasticity and heterogeneity in relation to therapeutic outcomes.
• To systematize methods for CSC screening and discuss targeting strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
• Systematization of functional assays, markers, and screening methods for CSCs.
• Analysis of CSC/LSC alterations associated with disease recurrence.

Main Results:

• CSCs/LSCs play a critical role in metastatic colonization.
• CSCs exhibit plasticity and heterogeneity, contributing to treatment failure.
• Low proliferation rates of CSCs make them resistant to standard chemotherapy.
• CSCs can alter cell cycle phases in response to anticancer drugs.

Conclusions:

• CSCs are key drivers of cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence.
• Targeting CSCs/LSCs, using synthetic or natural compounds, is a promising strategy.
• Modulating stemness properties or eliminating CSCs may improve cancer treatment outcomes.