Open AccessThe role of cancer stem cells in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Magdalena Szaryńska,
Agata Olejniczak,
Zbigniew Kmieć
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
postępy higieny i medycyny doświadczalnej
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.275
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1732-2693
pISSN - 0032-5449
DOI - 10.5604/17322693.1227897
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , cancer stem cell , cancer , metastasis , disease , pathogenesis , medicine , stage (stratigraphy) , oncology , cancer research , stem cell , mouse model of colorectal and intestinal cancer , immunology , biology , paleontology , genetics
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, accounting for about 10% of total adult malignancies worldwide. The majority of CRC cases are diagnosed at the late stage; thus the investigation of the pathogenesis of early-stage disease and its detection could prevent formation of metastasis, a leading cause of death. This review highlights the recent progress in the understanding of the development of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the colon epithelium and mechanisms of their proliferation. Moreover, we describe the role of the CSCs in resistance to chemotherapy and formation of metastases. We present evidence for the importance of the interactions between CSCs and their environment in the propagation of the disease. It is hoped that further studies of colorectal cancer CSCs could be helpful in the early detection and improved therapy of this neoplasm.