Cancer Stem Cells: Powerful Targets to Improve Current Anticancer Therapeutics

Autor(es)

Bighetti-Trevisan, Rayana L. ^[1] ; Sousa, Lucas O. ^[2] ; Castilho, Rogerio M. ^[3] ; Almeida, Luciana O. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Basic & Oral Biol, Tissue Culture Lab, Sch Dent, BR-14040904 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Clin Anal Toxicol & Food Sci, Lab Markers & Cell Signaling Canc, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Michigan, Sch Dent, Dept Periodont & Oral Med, Lab Epithelial Biol, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 - USA

• Tipo de documento: Artigo de Revisão
• Fonte: STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL; v. 2019, NOV 12 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

A frequent observation in several malignancies is the development of resistance to therapy that results in frequent tumor relapse and metastasis. Much of the tumor resistance phenotype comes from its heterogeneity that halts the ability of therapeutic agents to eliminate all cancer cells effectively. Tumor heterogeneity is, in part, controlled by cancer stem cells (CSC). CSC may be considered the reservoir of cancer cells as they exhibit properties of self-renewal and plasticity and the capability of reestablishing a heterogeneous tumor cell population. The endowed resistance mechanisms of CSC are mainly attributed to several factors including cellular quiescence, accumulation of ABC transporters, disruption of apoptosis, epigenetic reprogramming, and metabolism. There is a current need to develop new therapeutic drugs capable of targeting CSC to overcome tumor resistance. Emerging in vitro and in vivo studies strongly support the potential benefits of combination therapies capable of targeting cancer stem cell-targeting agents. Clinical trials are still underway to address the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of combination treatment. This review will address the main characteristics, therapeutic implications, and perspectives of targeting CSC to improve current anticancer therapeutics. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/11780-8 - Estudo de modificações epigenéticas associadas ao acúmulo de células-tronco do câncer em carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço: implicações na resistência à quimioterapia
• Beneficiário: Luciana Oliveira de Almeida
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 18/02959-7 - Estudo de modificações epigenéticas associadas ao acúmulo de células-tronco do câncer em carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço: implicações na resistência à quimioterapia
• Beneficiário: Luciana Oliveira de Almeida
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Jovens Pesquisadores