Stem cells in cancer: instigators and propagators?
J Cell Sci
; 123(Pt 14): 2357-68, 2010 Jul 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20592182
ABSTRACT
There is growing realization that many - if not all - cancer-cell populations contain a subpopulation of self-renewing stem cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Unlike normal adult stem cells that remain constant in number, CSCs can increase in number as tumours grow, and give rise to progeny that can be both locally invasive and colonise distant sites - the two hallmarks of malignancy. Immunodeficient mouse models in which human tumours can be xenografted provide persuasive evidence that CSCs are present in human leukaemias and many types of solid tumour. In addition, many studies have found similar subpopulations in mouse tumours that show enhanced tumorigenic properties when they are transplanted into histocompatible mice. In this Commentary, we refer to CSCs as tumour-propagating cells (TPCs), a term that reflects the assays that are currently employed to identify them. We first discuss evidence that cancer can originate from normal stem cells or closely related descendants. We then outline the attributes of TPCs and review studies in which they have been identified in various cancers. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for successful cancer therapies.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células-Tronco Neoplásicas
/
Leucemia
/
Transformação Celular Neoplásica
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Cell Sci
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido