Targeting Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt pathways in cancer stem cells: clinical update.

ABSTRACT: During the past decade, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been increasingly identified in many malignancies. Although the origin and plasticity of these cells remain controversial, tumour heterogeneity and the presence of small populations of cells with stem-like characteristics is established in most malignancies. CSCs display many features of embryonic or tissue stem cells, and typically demonstrate persistent activation of one or more highly conserved signal transduction pathways involved in development and tissue homeostasis, including the Notch, Hedgehog (HH), and Wnt pathways. CSCs generally have slow growth rates and are resistant to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Thus, new treatment strategies targeting these pathways to control stem-cell replication, survival and differentiation ar

SUBMITTER: Takebe N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4520755 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature