Cancer stem cells: Regulation programs, immunological properties and immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT: It is becoming increasingly clear that virtually all types of human cancers harbor a small population of stem-like cancer cells (i.e., cancer stem cells, CSCs). These CSCs preexist in primary tumors, can self-renew and are more tolerant of standard treatments, such as antimitotic and molecularly targeted agents, most of which preferentially eliminate differentiated and proliferating cancer cells. CSCs are therefore postulated as the root of therapy resistance, relapse and metastasis. Aside from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, immunotherapy is now established as the fourth pillar in the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with cancer, especially late-stage and advanced cancers. A better understanding of CSC immunological properties should lead to development of novel immunologic ap

SUBMITTER: Zhang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7859848 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature