Cancer Stem Cells and Pediatric Solid Tumors

Cancers

Gregory K. Friedman¹ 

[1] Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA

关键词: cancer stem cells;    pediatrics;    CD133;    cancer initiating cells;    tumor stem cells;    tumor initiating cells;    cancer progenitor cells;    tumor progenitor cells;    children;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cancers3010298

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Recently, a subpopulation of cells, termed tumor-initiating cells or tumor stem cells (TSC), has been identified in many different types of solid tumors. These TSC, which are typically more resistant to chemotherapy and radiation compared to other tumor cells, have properties similar to normal stem cells including multipotency and the ability to self-renew, proliferate, and maintain the neoplastic clone. Much of the research on TSC has focused on adult cancers. With considerable differences in tumor biology between adult and pediatric cancers, there may be significant differences in the presence, function and behavior of TSC in pediatric malignancies. We discuss what is currently known about pediatric solid TSC with specific focus on TSC markers, tumor microenvironment, signaling pathways, therapeutic resistance and potential future therapies to target pediatric TSC.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.