scholarly journals What Tumor Dynamics Modeling Can Teach us about Exploiting the Stem-Cell View for Better Cancer Treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 14s2 ◽  
pp. CIN.S17294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger S. Day
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Treatment Regimens

The cancer stem cell hypothesis is that in human solid cancers, only a small proportion of the cells, the cancer stem cells (CSCs), are self-renewing; the vast majority of the cancer cells are unable to sustain tumor growth indefinitely on their own. In recent years, discoveries have led to the concentration, if not isolation, of putative CSCs. The evidence has mounted that CSCs do exist and are important. This knowledge may promote better understanding of treatment resistance, create opportunities to test agents against CSCs, and open up promise for a fresh approach to cancer treatment. The first clinical trials of new anti-CSC agents are completed, and many others follow. Excitement is mounting that this knowledge will lead to major improvements, even breakthroughs, in treating cancer. However, exploitation of this phenomenon may be more successful if informed by insights into the population dynamics of tumor development. We revive some ideas in tumor dynamics modeling to extract some guidance in designing anti-CSC treatment regimens and the clinical trials that test them.

scholarly journals Cancer stem cells: a new approach to tumor development

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Cristina Ciufa Kobayashi ◽  
Samuel Marcos Ribeiro de Noronha
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Tumor Types ◽  
Immunosuppressed Mice

Many theories have been proposed to explain the origins of cancer. Currently, evidences show that not every tumor cell is capable of initiating a tumor. Only a small part of the cancer cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), can generate a tumor identical to the original one, when removed from human tumors and transplanted into immunosuppressed mice. The name given to these cells comes from the resemblance to normal stem cells, except for the fact that their ability to divide is infinite. These cells are also affected by their microenvironment. Many of the signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog, are altered in this tumoral subpopulation, which also contributes to abnormal proliferation. Researchers have found several markers for CSCs; however, much remains to be studied, or perhaps a universal marker does not even exist, since they vary among tumor types and even from patient to patient. It was also found that cancer stem cells are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This may explain the re-emergence of the disease, since they are not completely eliminated and minimal amounts of CSCs can repopulate a tumor. Once the diagnosis in the early stages greatly increases the chances of curing cancer, identifying CSCs in tumors is a goal for the development of more effective treatments. The objective of this article is to discuss the origin of cancer according to the theory of stem cell cancer, as well as its markers and therapies used for treatment.

scholarly journals Norcantharidin, Derivative of Cantharidin, for Cancer Stem Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Hsi Hsieh ◽  
K. S. Clifford Chao ◽  
Hui-Fen Liao ◽  
Yu-Jen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Notch Signaling Pathway ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Active Efflux ◽  
Effective Strategies

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) existing in human cancers have been demonstrated to be a major cause of cancer treatment resistance, invasion, metastasis, and relapse. Self-renewal pathways, Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and the Notch signaling pathway play critical roles in developing CSCs and lead to angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is an unfavorable factor causing the failure of treatments against cancer cells. The most important and thoroughly studied mechanism involved in MDR is the active efflux of chemotherapeutic agents through membrane drug transporters. There is growing evidence that Norcantharidin (NCTD), a water-soluble synthetic small molecule derivative of naturally occurring cantharidin from the medicinal insect blister beetle (Mylabris phalerataPallas), is capable of chemoprevention and tumor inhibition. We summarize investigations into the modulation of self-renewal pathways and MDR in CSCs by NCTD. This review may aid in further investigation of using NCTD to develop more effective strategies for cancer treatment to reduce resistance and recurrence.

scholarly journals Need for Specialized Therapeutic Stem Cells Banks Equipped with Tumor Regression Enzymes and Anti-Tumor Genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mujib Ullah
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Translational Research ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Stem Cell Banks ◽  
Cell Banks ◽  
Effective Use

Stem cells are currently being used in many clinical trials for regenerative purposes. These are promising results for stem cells in the treatment of several diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, there are still many variables which should be addressed before the application of stem cells for cancer treatment. One approach should be to establish well-characterized therapeutic stem cell banks to minimize the variation in results from different clinical trials and facilitate their effective use in basic and translational research.

Targeting Strategies for Renal Cancer Stem Cell Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
pp. 1964-1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengchao Fang ◽  
Liuting Zhou ◽  
Lee Y. Lim ◽  
Hualin Fu ◽  
Zhi-xiang Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Renal Cancer ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Treatment Efficiency ◽  
Renal Carcinogenesis ◽  
Renal Cancer Stem Cells

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an intractable genitourinary malignancy that accounts for approximately 4% of adult malignancies. Currently, there is no approved targeted therapy for RCC that has yielded durable remissions, and they remain palliative in intent. Emerging evidence has indicated that renal tumorigenesis and RCC treatment-resistance may originate from renal cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumor-initiating capacity (CSC hypothesis). A better understanding of the mechanism underlying renal CSCs will help to dissect RCC heterogeneity and drug treatment efficiency, to promote more personalized and targeted therapies. In this review, we summarized the stem cell characteristics of renal CSCs. We outlined the targeting strategies and challenges associated with developing therapies that target renal CSCs angiogenesis, immunosuppression, signaling pathways, surface biomarkers, microRNAs and nanomedicine. In conclusion, CSCs are an important role in renal carcinogenesis and represent a valid target for treatment of RCC patients.

scholarly journals Elimination of SOX2/OCT4-Associated Prostate Cancer Stem Cells Blocks Tumor Development and Enhances Therapeutic Response

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasanna Kumar Vaddi ◽  
Mark A. Stamnes ◽  
Huojun Cao ◽  
Songhai Chen
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Therapeutic Resistance ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Fluorescent Reporter ◽  
Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

SOX2 and OCT4 are key regulators of embryonic stem cell pluripotency. They are overexpressed in prostate cancers and have been associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. However, reliable tools for detecting and targeting SOX2/OCT4-overexpressing cells are lacking, limiting our understanding of their roles in prostate cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Here, we show that a fluorescent reporter called SORE6 can identify SOX2/OCT4-overexpressing prostate cancer cells. Among tumor cells, the SORE6 reporter identified a small fraction with CSC hallmarks: rapid self-renewal, the capability to form tumors and metastasize, and resistance to chemotherapies. Transcriptome and biochemical analyses identified PI3K/AKT signaling as critical for maintaining the SORE6+ population. Moreover, a SORE6-driven herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) expression construct could selectively ablate SORE6+ cells in tumors, blocking tumor initiation and progression, and sensitizing tumors to chemotherapy. This study demonstrates a key role of SOX2/OCT4-associated prostate cancer stem cells in tumor development and therapeutic resistance, and identifies the SORE6 reporter system as a useful tool for characterizing CSCs functions in a native tumor microenvironment.

scholarly journals Need for Specialized Therapeutic Stem Cells Banks Equipped with Tumor Regression Enzymes and Anti-Tumor Genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ullah M
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Translational Research ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Stem Cell Banks ◽  
Cell Banks ◽  
Effective Use

Stem cells are currently being used in many clinical trials for regenerative purposes. These are promising results for stem cells in the treatment of several diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, there are still many variables which should be addressed before the application of stem cells for cancer treatment. One approach should be to establish well-characterized therapeutic stem cell banks to minimize the variation in results from different clinical trials and facilitate their effective use in basic and translational research.

Integrin α6 (CD49f), The Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele D. Bigoni-Ordóñez ◽  
Daniel Czarnowski ◽  
Tyler Parsons ◽  
Gerard J. Madlambayan ◽  
Luis G. Villa-Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Terminal Disease

Cancer is a highly prevalent and potentially terminal disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Here, we review the literature exploring the intricacies of stem cells bearing tumorigenic characteristics and collect evidence demonstrating the importance of integrin α6 (ITGA6, also known as CD49f) in cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. ITGA6 is commonly used to identify CSC populations in various tissues and plays an important role sustaining the self-renewal of CSCs by interconnecting them with the tumorigenic microenvironment.

Cancer stemness as a target for immunotherapy is shaped by pro-inflammatory stress.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nese Unver
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Cancer Stemness ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Inflammatory Stress ◽  
Factors Affecting

: Cancer stem cells represent a rare subpopulation of cancer cells carrying self-renewal and differentiation features in the multi-step tumorigenesis, tumor recurrence and metastasis. Pro-inflammatory stress is highly associated with cancer stemness via induction of cytokines, tumor-promoting immune cells and cancer stemness-related signaling pathways. This review summarizes the major pro-inflammatory factors affecting cancer stem cell characteristics and the critical immunotherapeutic strategies to eliminate cancer stem cells.

scholarly journals Induction of Stem Cell Like Cells from Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast by Short-Term Shear Stress and Vitamin C

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1941
Author(s):  
Seungmin Yeom ◽  
Myung Chul Lee ◽  
Shambhavi Pandey ◽  
Jaewoon Lim ◽  
Sangbae Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Suspension Culture ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Short Term ◽  
External Stimuli

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a good medicine source because of their potential to differentiate into various tissues or cells. However, traditionally, iPSCs made by specific transgenes and virus vectors are not appropriate for clinical use because of safety concerns and risk of tumor development. The goal of this research was to develop an alternative method for reprogramming, using small molecules and external stimuli. Two groups were established: short-term shear stress (STSS) under suspension culture and a combination of short-term shear stress and vitamin C (SSVC) under suspension culture. For STSS, the pipetting was carried out for cells twice per day for 2 min for 14 days in the embryonic stem cell (ES) medium. In the case of SSVC, the procedure was the same as for STSS however, its ES medium included 10 µM of vitamin C. After 14 days, all spheroids were picked and checked for pluripotency by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) assay and immunocytochemistry. Both groups partially showed the characteristics of stem cells but data demonstrated that the spheroids under shear stress and vitamin C had improved stem cell-like properties. This research showed the possibility of external stimuli and small molecules to reprogram the somatic cells without the use of transgenes.

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