Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies
Published on: June 20, 2015
Cancer stem cells and niches: challenges in immunotherapy resistance
Yonglong Pan1,2,3, Chaoyi Yuan1,2, Chenglong Zeng1,2
1Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Abstract:
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are central to tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. Characterized by remarkable self-renewal and adaptability, CSCs can transition dynamically between stem-like and differentiated states in response to external stimuli, a process termed "CSC plasticity." This adaptability underpins their resilience to therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies (ACT). Beyond intrinsic properties, CSCs reside in a specialized microenvironment-the CSC niche-which provides immune-privileged protection, sustains their stemness, and fosters immune suppression. This review highlights the critical role of CSCs and their niche in driving immunotherapy resistance, emphasizing the need for integrative approaches to overcome these challenges.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Stem Cell Niche
Tumor Immunotherapy
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

