Research progression in colorectal cancer stem cells.
- Author:
Ting-yu WU
1
;
Long CUI
Author Information
1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanghai Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Biomarkers, Tumor;
metabolism;
Colorectal Neoplasms;
metabolism;
pathology;
Humans;
Neoplastic Stem Cells;
metabolism;
pathology;
Signal Transduction
- From:
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
2013;16(3):297-300
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) as a common malignancy in the digestive tract, its incidence and mortality increase significantly in China. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a small fraction of tumor initiating cells that are endowed with both self-renewal and tumor growth potential. They may be responsible for tumor progression, metastasis, relapse and drug-resistance. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of tumorigenic CSCs in CRC may help to devise novel diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This review briefly discusses the most recent advances in research on colorectal cancer stem cells including definition of the cancer stem cells, origin and specific markers of the colorectal CSCs. Transduction signal pathway involved in CSCs, potential therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs, and current issues in CSCs related research are also discussed.
