What Are Cancer Stem Cells?
Cancer Stem Cell (CSC), also known as cancer stem cell, tumor stem cell, refers to cancer cells with stem cell properties, that is, "self-renewal" and "multicellular differentiation" (differentiation) and other capabilities.
Cancer stem cells
- Cancer Stem Cell (CSC), also known as cancer stem cell, tumor stem cell,
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- Such cells are relatively rare for several tumor types. Based on this, the researchers have summarized some treatments based on a "cancer stem cell model" that targets these stem cells, not the entire tumor or the entire cell population. New research suggests that at least for human melanoma, cancer stem cell models may not be applicable. Tumor formation potential is a common feature of melanoma cells. In these experiments, researchers took melanoma cells from 12 patients and performed xenograft analysis, and found that about a quarter of melanoma cells could form tumors in mice. This shows that a range of different cancer cells have the potential to help tumors develop, and thus has questioned therapies specifically targeting the small cell population of cancer stem cells. The cover image of this issue shows melanoma cells and tumors formed from these cells.
- If cancer stem cells are not completely removed in cancer treatment, cancer can easily recur and metastasize. Researchers at Kyoto University in Japan say they have found a marker protein contained in cancer stem cells, which is expected to "cut off the grass".
- A research team led by Professor of Gastroenterology of Kyoto University Chiba Maki noticed in the study that a protein in the digestive tract, Dclk1, analyzed laboratory mice with colorectal cancer and found that cells containing this protein persisted for a longer period of time Produce cancer cells. They successfully removed cells containing Dclk1 protein through genetic manipulation. The area of colorectal cancer tissue in the experimental mice was reduced by more than 80%, and some even completely disappeared, and no side effects were found.
- If cancer stem cells are not completely removed in the treatment of cancer, cancer can easily recur and metastasize. Therefore, it is necessary to find cancer stem cells and "cut off the grass". However, some of the marker substances contained in cancer stem cells that have been previously discovered are also present in normal stem cells. If these substances are targeted to remove cancer stem cells, normal stem cells will be accidentally injured and side effects will occur.
- Researchers said that this is the first time that a marker substance found only in cancer stem cells can be targeted, which can achieve precise attack on cancer stem cells and is expected to be used to develop anticancer drugs with almost no side effects. In addition, Dclk1 protein is likely to be a marker protein for other cancers such as pancreatic cancer and gastric cancer.
- Related results were published in the new online edition of Nature Genetics. [1]