Open AccessCancer stem cells in human gastrointestinal cancer
Author(s) -
Taniguchi Hiroaki,
Moriya Chiharu,
Igarashi Hisayoshi,
Saitoh Anri,
Yamamoto Hiroyuki,
Adachi Yasushi,
Imai Kohzoh
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.13069
Subject(s) - gastrointestinal cancer , cancer stem cell , cancer , cancer research , colorectal cancer , pancreatic cancer , medicine , population , stem cell , pancreas , metastasis , pathology , biology , genetics , environmental health
Cancer stem cells ( CSC s) are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation, drug and radiation resistance, invasive growth, metastasis, and tumor relapse, which are the main causes of cancer‐related deaths. Gastrointestinal cancers are the most common malignancies and still the most frequent cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Because gastrointestinal CSC s are also thought to be resistant to conventional therapies, an effective and novel cancer treatment is imperative. The first reported CSC s in a gastrointestinal tumor were found in colorectal cancer in 2007. Subsequently, CSC s were reported in other gastrointestinal cancers, such as esophagus, stomach, liver, and pancreas. Specific phenotypes could be used to distinguish CSC s from non‐ CSC s. For example, gastrointestinal CSC s express unique surface markers, exist in a side‐population fraction, show high aldehyde dehydrogenase‐1 activity, form tumorspheres when cultured in non‐adherent conditions, and demonstrate high tumorigenic potential in immunocompromised mice. The signal transduction pathways in gastrointestinal CSC s are similar to those involved in normal embryonic development. Moreover, CSC s are modified by the aberrant expression of several micro RNA s. Thus, it is very difficult to target gastrointestinal CSC s. This review focuses on the current research on gastrointestinal CSC s and future strategies to abolish the gastrointestinal CSC phenotype.