title: Targeting cancer-initiating cell drug-resistance: a roadmap to a new-generation of cancer therapies?
abstract: The occurrence of drug resistance in oncology accounts for treatment failure and relapse of diverse tumor types. Cancers contain cells at various stages of differentiation together with a limited number of 'cancer-initiating cells' able to self-renew and divide asymmetrically, driving tumorigenesis. Cancer-initiating cells display a range of self-defense systems that include almost all mechanisms of drug-resistance. Different molecular pathways and markers, identified in this malignant sub-population, are becoming targets for novel compounds and for monoclonal antibodies, which may be combined with conventional drugs. These interventions might eliminate drug-resistant cancer-initiating cells and lead to remission or cure of cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Lung Cancer Unit, National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. angela.alama@istge.it
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alama
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Orengo
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrini
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gangemi
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004260:DNA Repair; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents