Open AccessStem cells as therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Alicja Zalewski,
Adam E. Snook,
Scott A. Waldman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
personalized medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.489
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1744-828X
pISSN - 1741-0541
DOI - 10.2217/pme-2020-0099
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , medicine , cancer stem cell , disease , cancer , metastasis , oncology , stem cell , cancer research , biology , genetics
Colorectal cancer continues to represent a significant burden on public health as the second highest cause of cancer mortality, when men and women are combined, in the US. About 50% of patients either present with late-stage metastatic disease, or develop metastatic recurrences, and ultimately die. In turn, this mortality largely reflects cancer stem cells, tumor-initiating cells that are responsible for cancer progression, drug resistance, recurrence and metastasis. This review summarizes the unique properties of colorectal cancer stem cells, and the emerging strategies by which they can be selectively targeted as a therapeutic approach to eradicating this disease.