Update on acute myeloid leukemia stem cells: New discoveries and therapeutic opportunities.

ABSTRACT: The existence of cancer stem cells has been well established in acute myeloid leukemia. Initial proof of the existence of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) was accomplished by functional studies in xenograft models making use of the key features shared with normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) such as the capacity of self-renewal and the ability to initiate and sustain growth of progenitors in vivo. Significant progress has also been made in identifying the phenotype and signaling pathways specific for LSCs. Therapeutically, a multitude of drugs targeting LSCs are in different phases of preclinical and clinical development. This review focuses on recent discoveries which have advanced our understanding of LSC biology and provided rational targets for development of novel therapeutic agen

SUBMITTER: Stahl M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5080639 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature