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Prostate cancer stem cells and their potential roles in metastasis
Author(s) -
Li Hangwen,
Tang Dean G.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.21806
Subject(s) - cancer stem cell , metastasis , prostate cancer , cancer research , medicine , context (archaeology) , stem cell , progenitor cell , cancer , cancer cell , population , side population , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , paleontology , environmental health
Abstract Most solid tumors have now been reported to contain stem cell‐like cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are endowed with high tumorigenic capacity and may be the cells that drive tumor formation, maintain tumor homeostasis, and mediate tumor metastasis. Since these self‐renewing cancer cells may be the sole population to develop a primary tumor, it is predicted that CSCs may also represent the lethal seeds of metastasis, as supported by a flurry of recent studies on the relationship between CSCs and metastasis. Herein, we summarize current knowledge of stem/progenitor cells and CSCs, especially in the context of normal human prostate and prostate cancer. We further update the recently gained knowledge on the involvement of CSCs in metastasis. We also discuss the fundamental influence of tumor microenvironment on the manifestation of CSCs and metastasis. Finally, we discuss the clinical implication of CSC‐based therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:558–562. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.