title: Wound healing and cancer stem cells: inflammation as a driver of treatment resistance in breast cancer.
abstract: The relationship between wound healing and cancer has long been recognized. The mechanisms that regulate wound healing have been shown to promote transformation and growth of malignant cells. In addition, chronic inflammation has been associated with malignant transformation in many tissues. Recently, pathways involved in inflammation and wound healing have been reported to enhance cancer stem cell (CSC) populations. These cells, which are highly resistant to current treatments, are capable of repopulating the tumor after treatment, causing local and systemic recurrences. In this review, we highlight proinflammatory cytokines and developmental pathways involved in tissue repair, whose deregulation in the tumor microenvironment may promote growth and survival of CSCs. We propose that the addition of anti-inflammatory agents to current treatment regimens may slow the growth of CSCs and improve therapeutic outcomes.
authors: Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., Newark, DE, USA. ; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
authors: Kimberly M
authors: KM
authors: Arnold
authors: Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., Newark, DE, USA. ; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
authors: Lynn M
authors: LM
authors: Opdenaker
authors: Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., Newark, DE, USA. ; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Flynn
authors: Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., Newark, DE, USA. ; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Sims-Mourtada
keywords: cancer stem cells; developmental pathways; inflammation; tumor microenvironment