Could Vitamin D Analogues Be Used to Target Leukemia Stem Cells?
Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are defined as cells that possess the ability to self-renew and give rise to the differentiated cancer cells that comprise the tumor. These LSCs seem to show chemo-resistance and radio-resistance leading to the failure of conventional cancer therapies. Current therapies are directed at the fast growing tumor mass leaving the LSC fraction untouched. Eliminating LSCs, the root of cancer origin and recurrence, is considered to be a hopeful approach to improve survival or even to cure cancer patients. In order to achieve this, the characterization of LSCs is a prerequisite in order to develop LSC-based therapies to eliminate them. Here we review if vitamin D analogues may allow an avenue to target the LSCs.
Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biolog&#237;a Molecular y Celular del C&#225;ncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain. idoia.g@usal.es.|Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. idoia.g@usal.es.
Idoia
I
García-Ramírez
Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biolog&#237;a Molecular y Celular del C&#225;ncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain. trioney@usal.es.|Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. trioney@usal.es.
Alberto
A
Martín-Lorenzo
Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biolog&#237;a Molecular y Celular del C&#225;ncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain. ighe@usal.es.|Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. ighe@usal.es.
Inés
I
González-Herrero
Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biolog&#237;a Molecular y Celular del C&#225;ncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain. guillermorh@usal.es.|Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. guillermorh@usal.es.
Guillermo
G
Rodriguez-Hernández
Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. cvd@usal.es.
Carolina
C
Vicente-Dueñas
Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biolog&#237;a Molecular y Celular del C&#225;ncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain. isg@usal.es.|Cancer Research Area, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain. isg@usal.es.
Isidro
I
Sánchez-García
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D
cancer; cancer stem cells; leukemia therapy; mouse models; stem cells; vitamin D