STEM CELL AND CANCER STEM CELL: A Tale of Two Cells

Abstract

A B S T R A C TStem cells are vital for regenerating and repairing the organs such as the heart, lungs, skin, germ cells and other tissues. But the characteristics of normal stem cells and the discovery of origin of leukemia have headed the scientist to the hypothesis that cancer may initiate from stem cell-like cells. Cancer stem cells are now thought to be responsible for cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence and drug resistance. There are some similarities and differences between CSCs and healthy stem cells in signaling pathways (Wnt/ β-catenin, Hh, Notch), epigenetic modifications, telomere maintenance, and degree of dependence on the stem cell niche, maintenance of multipotency and self-renewability of respective progenitor cells. Distinct and specific surface biomarker phenotypes can be used to distinguish CSC from other tumor cells and normal stem cells through single and combination of markers such as CD44, CD34 + CD38 × and CD133. Recently, miRNAs have been tried as a marker and therapeutic agents against cancers stem cell such as miR-34a, miR-199a, miR-181, miR-125b-2 and miR-128. However, targeting CSCs without harming their normal counterparts is an advantageous way in the design of novel therapies but many questions remain unknown.

Detecting the Origin of Cancer‐Mobile Quantum Probe for Single Cancer Stem Cell Detection

“…Cell Cycle Regulation : One of the major differences between cancer cells and cancer stem cells is the regulation of cellular division. CSC exhibit extensive modifications in cellular regulatory pathways resulting in dysregulated growth patterns . Studies have established that cancer stem cells are less mitotically active compared to cancer cells due to the predominance of asymmetric cell division .…”

Cancer Stem Cells: From an Insight into the Basics to Recent Advances and Therapeutic Targeting

“…The cells present in CSC niche produce some factors which further help in stimulating the self-renewal property of CSCs and induce angiogenesis (Figure 2) [15]. Some additional factors, secreted by immune cells and other stromal cells that are recruited by cells residing in CSC niches, promote tumor cell invasion and [5,7,9,10].…”

Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Modeling: Challenges and Future Directions

“…The CSC pools carry specific surface biomarkers and have short telomeres that can initiate a rapid tumor growth. [ 53 ] When healthy stem cells transform to CSCs evading from immune surveillance and dysfunctional cell divisions can be observed. Differentiated cells can transform the other cells by their cancerous components.…”