Open AccessCancer stem cell–immune cell crosstalk in tumour progression
Author(s) -
Defne Bayik,
Justin D. Lathia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nature reviews. cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 19.575
H-Index - 442
eISSN - 1474-1768
pISSN - 1474-175X
DOI - 10.1038/s41568-021-00366-w
Subject(s) - immunosurveillance , immune system , crosstalk , tumor microenvironment , biology , cancer stem cell , cancer research , tumour heterogeneity , metastasis , cell , immunology , stem cell , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , physics , optics
Cellular heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment are independent yet synergistic drivers of tumour progression and underlie therapeutic resistance. Recent studies have highlighted the complex interaction between these cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic mechanisms. The reciprocal communication between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and infiltrating immune cell populations in the tumour microenvironment is a paradigm for these interactions. In this Perspective, we discuss the signalling programmes that simultaneously induce CSCs and reprogramme the immune response to facilitate tumour immune evasion, metastasis and recurrence. We further highlight biological factors that can impact the nature of CSC-immune cell communication. Finally, we discuss targeting opportunities for simultaneous regulation of the CSC niche and immunosurveillance.