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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Cancer Stem Cells or Tumor Survival Cells?

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Author(s):
Teng, Yang D. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] ; Wang, Lei [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] ; Kabatas, Serdar [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] ; Ulrich, Henning [6] ; Zafonte, Ross D. [1, 2, 3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Harvard Med Sch, Dept Phys Med & Rehabil, Boston, MA 02115 - USA
[2] Brigham & Womens Hosp, Spaulding Rehabil Hosp Network, Boston, MA - USA
[3] Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Boston, MA - USA
[4] Harvard Med Sch, Dept Surg, Boston, MA - USA
[5] VA Boston Healthcare Syst, Div SCI Res, Boston, MA - USA
[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT; v. 27, n. 21 SEP 25 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 7
Abstract

Research endeavors originally generated stem cell definitions for the purpose of describing normally sustainable developmental and tissue turnover processes in various species, including humans. The notion of investigating cells that possess a vague capacity of stamm (phylum) can be traced back to the late 19th century, mainly concentrating on cells that could produce the germline or the entire blood system. Lately, such undertakings have been recapitulated for oncogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer cell resistance to oncolytic therapies. However, due to the complexity and basic life-origin mechanisms comprising the genetic and epigenetic repertoire of the stemness in every developing or growing cell, presently there are ongoing debates regarding the biological essentials of the stem cell-like tumor initiation cells (ie, cancer stem cells; CSCs). This conceptual analysis focuses on the potential pitfalls of extrapolating that CSCs bear major traits of stemness. We propose a novel nomenclature of Tumor Survival Cells (TSCs) to further define tumor cells behaving like CSCs, based on the ruthless and detrimental features of Cancer Cell Survivology that appears fundamentally different from stem cell biology. Hence, precise academic separation of TSCs from all the stem cell-related labels applied to these unique tumor cells may help to improve scientific reasoning and strategies to decode the desperado-like survival behaviors of TSCs to eventually overcome cancer. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/50880-4 - Stem cells: from basic studies of kinin and purinergic receptor roles towards therapeutical applications
Grantee:Alexander Henning Ulrich
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants