Does an inability to eradicate normal stem cells preclude the cure of some cancers?
Presently, identified signal transduction pathways do not alter normal stem-cell survival. With prostate cancer as a model, the argument is advanced that an inability to eradicate normal androgen-dependent prostate stem-cells precludes successful treatment of transformed, androgen-independent and metastatic progeny. While applying this idea to cancers of non-essential organs or to endocrine cancers seems feasible, the inutility of this approach for most other malignancies appears likely, although not certain.
Anderson
K M
KM
Department of Medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Bonomi
P
P
Harris
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015415:Biomarkers; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D011453:Prostaglandins; D019098:Telomerase