Open AccessImmune responses to human cancer stem‐like cells/cancer‐initiating cells
Author(s) -
Hirohashi Yoshihiko,
Torigoe Toshihiko,
Tsukahara Tomohide,
Kanaseki Takayuki,
Kochin Vitaly,
Sato Noriyuki
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.12830
Subject(s) - ctl* , cancer stem cell , immune system , immunotherapy , cancer immunotherapy , cancer , cancer research , antigen , medicine , cytotoxic t cell , cancer cell , immunology , stem cell , biology , cd8 , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Cancer stem‐like cells ( CSC )/cancer‐initiating cells ( CIC ) are defined as minor subpopulations of cancer cells that are endowed with properties of higher tumor‐initiating ability, self‐renewal ability and differentiation ability. Accumulating results of recent studies have revealed that CSC / CIC are resistant to standard cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and molecular targeting therapy, and eradiation of CSC / CIC is, thus, critical to cure cancer. Cancer immunotherapy is expected to become the “fourth” cancer therapy. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes ( CTL ) play an essential role in immune responses to cancers, and CTL can recognize CSC / CIC in an antigen‐specific manner. CSC / CIC express several tumor‐associated antigens ( TAA ), and cancer testis ( CT ) antigens are reasonable sources for CSC / CIC ‐targeting immunotherapy. In this review article, we discuss CSC / CIC recognition by CTL , regulation of immune systems by CSC / CIC , TAA expression in CSC / CIC , and the advantages of CSC / CIC ‐targeting immunotherapy.