Cancer stem cells – a new chance for successful treatment of cancer

Abstract

Cancer stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of being transformed into all types of cells comprising the tumour mass. As demonstrated by recent findings, they are responsible for the development of both haematopoietic malignancies and solid lesions. Cancer stem cells determine the unlimited growth of tumours and the variety of their morphology; they are also suspected of being the factor responsible for metastases. Their capability for renewal is the cause of disease recurrences even after long remission periods. Studies have shown that cancer stem cells may develop from normal stem cells, mature cells, and differentiated, or already transformed cells. What differentiate these cells from other cancer cells are rare mitotic divisions, which play a protective role for the cancer genome. StreszczenieNowotworowe komórki macierzyste to niezróżnicowane komórki zdolne do przekształcania się we wszystkie typy komórek budujących masę nowotworu. Jak się okazało w ostatnich latach, odpowiedzialne są zarówno za rozwój nowotworów układu krwiotwórczego, jak i powstawanie zmian litych. To właśnie te komórki warunkują nieograniczony wzrost nowotworów, ich różnorodność w budowie morfologicznej oraz -jak się przypuszcza -są czynnikiem powodującym powstawanie przerzutów. Ich zdolność do odnowy jest przyczyną nawrotów choroby, nawet po dłuższych okresach remisji. Wyniki badań wykazały, że nowotworowe komórki macierzyste mogą się rozwijać z prawidłowych komórek macierzystych, komórek dojrzałych, zróżnicowanych oraz komórek już transformowanych nowotworowo. Cechą wyróżniającą nowotworowe komórki macierzyste, w odróżnieniu od pozostałych komórek nowotworowych, są rzadkie podziały mitotyczne, pełniące funkcję ochronną dla genomu komórek nowotworu. Stem cellsNormal stem cells (NSC) are relatively non-specialised cells capable of division leading to identical offspring cells (self-renewal potential), as well as differentiation into one or more types of specialised cells in particular conditions (differentiation potential). This distinguishes these cells from other cells of the human body, which die after reaching their division limit.Stem cell divisions can be classified into two types: symmetric division leading to two stem cells that maintain the traits of the parent cell; and asymmetric division, leading to one stem cell identical to the parent cell and another one that undergoes differentiation or, in particular conditions, apoptosis [1]. Stem cells collected from blastocyst embryos are capable of differentiating into any type of systemic cells; these are referred to as embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are also present in mature organisms; they are known as somatic or adult stem cells. However, they are capable of differentiating only into some types of specialised cells. Although the quantity of NSCs in the human body is very low (they account for less than one per million of all body cells), ongoing studies have allowed us to isolate and multiply these cells with ever increasing efficacy while offering chances for b...

Cancer Stem Cells as a new promising approach of efficient oncological treatment - the review of literature

“…Significant breakthrough in research about cells responsible for oncogenesis became cancer stem cells (CSCs). Results of this research abolished certain theory that tumours consisted with a group of homogeneous cells [2].…”

“…In comparison to normal cells, CSCs have specific propertiesthey have unlimited capability for self-regeneration. Hence, they account for growth, metastases and recurrence of tumour after initial treatment response [2,3]. Thanks to a diverse morphology they are seemingly responsible for metastases occurrence as well as refractoriness to typical chemotherapy [3].…”