Gastric cancer stem cells.
Cancer stem cells are defined as the unique subpopulation in the tumors that possess the ability to initiate tumor growth and sustain self-renewal as well as metastatic potential. Accumulating evidence in recent years strongly indicate the existence of cancer stem cells in solid tumors of a wide variety of organs. In this review, we will discuss the possible existence of a gastric cancer stem cell. Our recent data suggest that a subpopulation with a defined marker shows spheroid colony formation in serum-free media in vitro, as well as tumorigenic ability in immunodeficient mice in vivo. We will also discuss the possible origins of the gastric cancer stem cell from an organ-specific stem cell versus a recently recognized new candidate bone marrow-derived cell (BMDC). We have previously shown that BMDC contributed to malignant epithelial cells in the mouse model of Helicobacter-associated gastric cancer. On the basis of these findings from animal model, we propose that a similar phenomenon may also occur in human cancer biology, particularly in the cancer origin of other inflammation-associated cancers. The expanding research field of cancer stem-cell biology may offer a novel clinical apparatus to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Takaishi
Shigeo
S
Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Okumura
Tomoyuki
T
Wang
Timothy C
TC
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*