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Prostate cancer stem/progenitor cells: Identification, characterization, and implications
Author(s) -
Tang Dean G.,
Patrawala Lubna,
Calhoun Tammy,
Bhatia Bobby,
Choy Grace,
SchneiderBroussard Robin,
Jeter Collene
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
molecular carcinogenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1098-2744
pISSN - 0899-1987
DOI - 10.1002/mc.20255
Subject(s) - prostate cancer , progenitor cell , biology , cancer stem cell , cancer research , stem cell , carcinogenesis , prostate , metastasis , progenitor , hyperplasia , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics
Several solid tumors have now been shown to contain stem cell‐like cells called cancer stem cells (CSC). These cells, although generally rare, appear to be highly tumorigenic and may be the cells that drive tumor formation, maintain tumor homeostasis, and mediate tumor metastasis. In this Perspective , we first provide our insight on how a CSC should be defined. We then summarize our current knowledge of stem/progenitor cells in the normal human prostate (NHP), an organ highly susceptible to hyperproliferative diseases such as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). We further review the evidence that cultured PCa cells, xenograft prostate tumors, and patient tumors may contain stem/progenitor cells. Along with our discussion, we present several methodologies that can be potentially used to identify putative tumor‐reinitiating CSC. Finally, we present a hypothetical model for the hierarchical organization of human PCa cells and discuss the implications of this model in helping understand prostate carcinogenesis and design novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.