title: Targeting cancer stem cell-specific markers and/or associated signaling pathways for overcoming cancer drug resistance.
abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of tumor cells with capabilities of self-renewal, dedifferentiation, tumorigenicity, and inherent chemo-and-radio therapy resistance. Tumor resistance is believed to be caused by CSCs that are intrinsically challenging to common treatments. A number of CSC markers including CD44, CD133, receptor tyrosine kinase, aldehyde dehydrogenases, epithelial cell adhesion molecule/epithelial specific antigen, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 have been proved as the useful targets for defining CSC population in solid tumors. Furthermore, targeting CSC markers through new therapeutic strategies will ultimately improve treatments and overcome cancer drug resistance. Therefore, the identification of novel strategies to increase sensitivity of CSC markers has major clinical implications. This review will focus on the innovative treatment methods such as nano-, immuno-, gene-, and chemotherapy approaches for targeting CSC-specific markers and/or their associated signaling pathways.
authors: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Peyman
authors: P
authors: Ranji
authors: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Tayyebali
authors: T
authors: Salmani Kesejini
authors: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Saeedikhoo
authors: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. aalizadeh@sina.tums.ac.ir.
authors: Ali Mohammad
authors: AM
authors: Alizadeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors
keywords: Cancer stem cell; Drug resistance; Gene therapy; Immunotherapy; Nanotechnology; Review