Tumor-Initiating Cells: a criTICal review of isolation approaches and new challenges in targeting strategies

Molecular Cancer

Review

Pit Ullmann¹  Serge Haan¹  Elisabeth Letellier¹  Komal Qureshi-Baig¹ 

[1] Life Sciences Research Unit, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Belvaux, Luxembourg;

关键词: Colorectal cancer;    Cancer stem cells;    Tumor-initiating cells;    Culturing conditions;    Surface markers;    Spheroid Culture Systems;    Metabolic identity;    Targeted therapy;    Inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12943-017-0602-2

 received in 2016-10-25, accepted in 2017-01-20,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Most cancers contain a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Targeting TICs may be essential to achieve cure, because of their self-renewal and tumorigenic properties as well as their resistance to conventional therapies. Despite significant advances in TIC biology, their isolation and identification remain largely disputed and incompletely established. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in isolation and culturing approaches of TICs, with focus on colorectal cancer (CRC). We feature recent findings on TIC-relevant signaling pathways and the metabolic identity of TICs, as well as their current clinical implications. Lastly, we highlight the influence of inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity on TIC function and targeting approaches.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017