Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed by adipocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)

SUBMITTER: Gaggianesi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8330815 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature