Potential targets for improving radiosensitivity of breast tumor-initiating cells.
Recent studies have suggested that a specific small population of cells termed tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may be intrinsically resistant to therapy including radiation, and may therefore be the primary mediators of recurrence. Numerous targets are being explored using multiple approaches for their involvement in the self-renewal or survival as well as radioresistance of breast TICs. These studies will provide a broad range of compounds to be tested and to develop novel TIC radiosensitizers that will improve clinical outcome and decrease recurrence of cancer after radiation. In this review we will discuss recent efforts to identify and target these cells to selectively radiosensitize them with novel agents, as well as the TIC radiosensitizing potential of current therapies already in clinical use.
Xu
Wei
W
Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Debeb
Bisrat G
BG
Lacerda
Lara
L
Woodward
Wendy A
WA
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008954:Models, Biological; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents