The strategies to cure cancer patients by eradicating cancer stem-like cells

Abstract

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of cancer cells, possess remarkable capability in proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Their presence is recognized as a crucial factor contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. CSCs have garnered significant attention as a therapeutic focus and an etiologic root of treatment-resistant cells. Increasing evidence indicated that specific biomarkers, aberrant activated pathways, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and immunoevasion are considered the culprits in the occurrence of CSCs and the maintenance of CSCs properties including multi-directional differentiation. Targeting CSC biomarkers, stemness-associated pathways, TME, immunoevasion and inducing CSCs differentiation improve CSCs eradication and, therefore, cancer treatment. This review comprehensively summarized these targeted therapies, along with their current status in clinical trials. By exploring and implementing strategies aimed at eradicating CSCs, researchers aim to improve cancer treatment outcomes and overcome the challenges posed by CSC-mediated therapy resistance.

Epigenetic Effects of Resveratrol on Oncogenic Signaling in Breast Cancer

“…Herein, exploring this dataset (GSE80794) and applying bioinformatic tools such as Gene Ontology, KEGG, and the DAVID knowledgebase, we have found that RSV-hypermethylated targets are enriched with key oncogenic signal transduction pathways, including Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, TGF-β, MAPK, and AKT ( Figure 1 A). These pathways are well established to drive cancer development [ 45 ]. RSV-hypermethylated targets, which are classified within a specific functional category of a given signaling pathway and distinguished by the most significant increase in DNA methylation following RSV treatment compared to the control (Ctrl; cells treated with vehicle-ethanol), are illustrated in Figure 1 A.…”

“…One of the mechanisms by which oncogenic growth occurs in breast cancer is through a variety of established signaling pathways including the Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, TGF-beta, MAPK, and AKT pathways [ 45 ]. Each pathway consists of a cascade of signaling molecules resulting in an aspect of development or growth that is crucial during the early developmental stages of life and silenced following the normal stages of growth and development.…”

Functions of Differentially Regulated miRNAs in Breast Cancer Progression: Potential Markers for Early Detection and Candidates for Therapy

“…Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) with stem cell-like properties can propagate human tumors with heterogeneous tumor populations in immunodeficient mice, such as human-breast-tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) or breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) that can regenerate breast tumors in an in vivo model. Additionally, BTICs self-renew and asymmetrically divide into differentiated cancer cells, and these are trusted to be accountable for cancer stem-like cells that drive breast tumor formation, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance [ 66 , 73 ]. Liu et al proved that BCSCs are involved in the spontaneous metastases of human breast cancer in mouse breast cancer orthotopic models [ 74 ].…”

Cathepsin L promotes oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma development and may be associated with tumour-associated macrophages

“…This action weakens the defense system of the body against tumours, enabling them to evade the immune system [ [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] ]. Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between multiple resistant cell populations in the TME and development, invasion, and metastasis [ [8] , [9] , [10] ]. For instance, the predictive role of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in ESCC has been highlighted [ 11 , 12 ].…”