Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.606
Revised: August 29, 2014
Accepted: September 6, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Processing time: 65 Days and 5.4 Hours
Cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought to be malignant cells that have the capacity to initiate and maintain tumor growth and survival. Studies have described CSC in various gastrointestinal neoplasms such as colon, pancreas and liver and gastroesophageal tumors. The mechanism by which CSC develop remains unclear. Several studies have explored the role of dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin, transformation growth factor-beta and hedhog pathways in generation of CSC. In this review, we discuss the various molecular abnormalities that may be related to formation of CSC in gastrointestinal malignancies, strategies to identify CSC and therapeutic strategies that are based on these concepts. Identification and targeting CSC is an intriguing area and may provide a new therapeutic option for patients with cancer including gastrointestinal malignancies. Although great progress has been made, many issues need to be addressed. Precise targeting of CSC will require precise isolation and characterization of those cells. This field is also evolving but further research is needed to identify markers that are specific for CSC. Although the application of this field has not entered the clinic yet, there continues to be significant optimism about its potential utility in overcoming cancer resistance and curing patients with cancer.
Core tip: Cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought to be malignant cells that have the capacity to initiate and maintain tumor growth and survival. Several studies have explored the role of dysregulation of the Wnt/β- catenin, transformation growth factor-beta and hedhog pathways in generation of CSC. The exact machismo of their development, however, remains unknown. Several investigators have researched modalities to identify and target CSC. In this review, we summarize the recent evidence exploring the mechanisms of development, identification and targeting of CSC in gastrointestinal malignancies.