You may be wondering what exactly cancer stem cells are. Here’s the short version: CSCs are cancer-derived stem cells that divide and self-renew. They are resistant to chemotherapeutic agents because they do not divide rapidly, and their niche protects them from damaging anti-cancer drugs. CSCs also express proteins that recruit and activate niche-forming cells. These cells also have overactivated anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, so chemotherapeutic agents do not kill them.
Besides facilitating tumour growth and metastasis, CSCs are also required to sustain their functions. Tumour microenvironment is an integral part of tumour progression, recruiting cellular components and modulating the extracellular matrix. Moreover, tumour size causes hypoxia, so new vasculatures are formed to ensure adequate diffusion of nutrients and oxygens. A role for CSCs in tumour progression is played by the niche. It regulates stemness properties and activates key signalling pathways that promote self-renewal, angiogenesis, and long-term survival.
CSCs are a robust subset of cancer cells that are similar to the normal stem cells in the human body. These cells have the unique ability to continuously divide and differentiate and are one of the causes of tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis. Cancer stem cells can reactivate after a certain time and cause new, aggressive metastases. If these metastases continue to grow, they can become fatal.
It is critical to understand the role of genetic diversity in CSCs to identify their tumorigenic potential. This is crucial for understanding how these cells respond to therapeutics and prevent their malignant transformation. The genetic diversity of tumor cells must be understood to determine whether or not a cancer stem cell is a beneficial part of a tumor’s microenvironment. If CSCs can change their environment, then a tumor can, too.
The CSC model suggests that tumors are made up of a heterogeneous population of mutant cells that are host to several different types of stem cells. The optimal stem cell line may be more effective in a certain environment, whereas secondary stem cell lines may adapt to a therapeutic intervention. This complicates attempts to pinpoint the source of a tumor stem cell. These findings, however, will continue to influence research and patient care.
As a result of advances in cellular biology, the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in anticancer therapy is increasingly evident. This is partly because of their potential to regulate tumor behavior. CSCs have also become resistant to anticancer drugs, so targeting them is crucial for patient survival. With the help of tumors-on-chip technology, researchers can develop effective drugs that target CSCs while avoiding the ethical concerns associated with animal experiments.
Molecular and cellular processes play a crucial role in tumour progression. Different molecular subtypes exhibit varying levels of CD133 phenotypic markers, and different GSCs are proneural or mesenchymal. These studies have provided evidence for the complex hierarchy of CD133-GSCs, which give rise to intermediate progenitors and differentiated progenies. Other markers that identify GSC include CD15, L1CAM, and A2B5.
