Characteristics of leukemic stem cells in acute leukemia and potential targeted therapies for their specific eradication.

ABSTRACT: In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a small cell population that contains stem cell features such as lack of differentiation, self-renewal potential, and drug resistance, can be identified. These so-called leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are thought to be responsible for relapse initiation after initial treatment leading to successful eradication of the bulk AML cell population. Since many studies have aimed to characterize and eliminate LSCs to prevent relapse and increase survival rates of patients, LSCs are one of the best characterized cancer stem cells. The specific elimination of LSCs, while sparing the healthy normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), is one of the major challenges in the treatment of leukemia. This review focuses on several surface markers and intracellular transcription fac

SUBMITTER: Hansen Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9255252 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature