Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) represent a heterogeneous subpopulation of rare cells within breast cancer tumors, displaying an enhanced tumor initiating capability and underlying disease progression and therapy resistance. Unraveling their phenotypic, biological and functional profile is a major challenge in the context of diminishing patient mortality. In this review, following a brief description on how cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their microenvironment contribute to tumor preservation and heterogeneity, we summarize the current literature regarding the molecular signature of BCSCs either localized in the primary tumor or circulating in the blood of breast cancer patients. We present recent data on specific stem and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers designating the BCSC subpopulation and underline their pathogenic significance. The molecular characterization of BCSCs has promoted the design of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the BCSC subpopulation which are currently being experimentally and clinically evaluated. We highlight recent advances on the development of novel BCSC-targeting therapeutic strategies including the inhibition of cell signaling pathways, differentiation therapy, metabolic interference and nucleotide-, bio- and nano-technology based approaches. Eliminating the chemo- and radio-resistance properties of breast cancer tumor cells via BCSC-directed therapies, combined to conventional therapeutic approaches, will augment the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment and improve the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients.
Keywords: Breast cancer, cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, targeting of cancer stem cells.
Current Cancer Drug Targets
Title:Cancer Stem Cells in Solid and Liquid Tissues of Breast Cancer Patients: Characterization and Therapeutic Perspectives
Volume: 15 Issue: 3
Author(s): Rena Chiotaki, Hara Polioudaki and Panayiotis A. Theodoropoulos
Affiliation:
Keywords: Breast cancer, cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, targeting of cancer stem cells.
Abstract: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) represent a heterogeneous subpopulation of rare cells within breast cancer tumors, displaying an enhanced tumor initiating capability and underlying disease progression and therapy resistance. Unraveling their phenotypic, biological and functional profile is a major challenge in the context of diminishing patient mortality. In this review, following a brief description on how cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their microenvironment contribute to tumor preservation and heterogeneity, we summarize the current literature regarding the molecular signature of BCSCs either localized in the primary tumor or circulating in the blood of breast cancer patients. We present recent data on specific stem and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers designating the BCSC subpopulation and underline their pathogenic significance. The molecular characterization of BCSCs has promoted the design of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the BCSC subpopulation which are currently being experimentally and clinically evaluated. We highlight recent advances on the development of novel BCSC-targeting therapeutic strategies including the inhibition of cell signaling pathways, differentiation therapy, metabolic interference and nucleotide-, bio- and nano-technology based approaches. Eliminating the chemo- and radio-resistance properties of breast cancer tumor cells via BCSC-directed therapies, combined to conventional therapeutic approaches, will augment the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment and improve the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Chiotaki Rena, Polioudaki Hara and Theodoropoulos A. Panayiotis, Cancer Stem Cells in Solid and Liquid Tissues of Breast Cancer Patients: Characterization and Therapeutic Perspectives, Current Cancer Drug Targets 2015; 15 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009615666150211102503
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009615666150211102503 |
Print ISSN 1568-0096 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5576 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Cancer Biomarkers and Potential Drug Targets: From Diagnosis to Therapy
Cancer biomarkers play a crucial role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. They provide valuable information for cancer detection, risk assessment, treatment selection, and monitoring response to therapy. With advancements in molecular biology and high-throughput technologies, there has been an increasing interest in identifying and characterizing cancer biomarkers ...read more
Novel Therapeutic Approaches to Target Drug Resistant Tumors
With the development of disciplines such as chemical biology and molecular biology, the genes or proteins closely related to tumor occurrence and development have gradually become clear. Targeted therapies targeting these genes or proteins provide more effective methods for tumor treatment. Tumor targeted drugs generally only act on specific targets ...read more
ROLE OF IMMUNE AND GENOTOXIC RESPONSE BIOMARKERS IN TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT IN CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Biological biomarkers have been used in medical research as an indicator of a normal or abnormal process inside the body, or of a disease. Nowadays, various researchers are in process to explore and investigate the biological markers for the early assessment of cancer. DNA Damage response (DDR) pathways and immune ...read more
Targeting the battlefield between host and tumor: basic research and clinical practice on reshaping tumor immune microenvironment
Immune system protects host against malignant tumors through effector cells and molecules. Cancer development and its response to therapy are regulated by inflammation, which either promotes or suppresses cancer progression. Chronic inflammation facilitates cancer progression and treatment resistance, whereas induction of acute inflammatory reactions often lead to anti-cancer immune responses. ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Osimertinib Quantitative and Gene Variation Analyses in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of a Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patient with Leptomeningeal Metastases
Current Cancer Drug Targets COX-2, Cell Proliferation and PMA in Head-and-Neck Cancer Cells
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Carotenoids and Modulation of Cancer: Molecular Targets
Current Pharmacogenomics Recent Advancements in Diagnosis and Therapy of Liver Cirrhosis
Current Drug Targets Therapeutic Vaccines Explored in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacogenetics, Regulation and Structural Properties of the Drugmetabolizing Enzymes Arylamine N-acetyltransferases
Current Pharmacogenomics Novel Targets for Apoptosis Modulation: BAG3 Protein and Other Co- Chaperones
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Tumor-Targeting Peptides: Ligands for Molecular Imaging and Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Indolealkylamines from Toad Vertebrates and Sea Invertebrates - Their Identification and Potential Activities on the Central Nervous System
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Computational Models for 5αR Inhibitors for Treatment of Prostate Cancer: Review of Previous Works and Screening of Natural Inhibitors of 5αR2
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Functions of S100 Proteins
Current Molecular Medicine OA-4 Inhibits Osteoclast Formation and Bone Resorption via Suppressing RANKL Induced P38 Signaling Pathway
Current Medicinal Chemistry Blood-Brain Barrier Transport of Drugs for the Treatment of Brain Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Evaluation of Novel DTX-Loaded Multifunctional Heparin-Based Polymeric Micelles Targeting Folate Receptors and Endosomes
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Reconstruction, Topological and Gene Ontology Enrichment Analysis of Cancerous Gene Regulatory Network Modules
Current Bioinformatics Gene Therapy for Heart Transplantation-Associated Acute Rejection, Ischemia / Reperfusion Injury and Coronary Arteriosclerosis
Current Gene Therapy Mechanisms of Angiogenesis: Perspectives from Antiangiogenic Tumor Therapies
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Novel Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: What we have Learned from Animal Studies
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Anticancer Drug Design Using Scaffolds of β-Lactams, Sulfonamides, Quinoline, Quinoxaline and Natural Products. Drugs Advances in Clinical Trials
Current Medicinal Chemistry Transcriptionally Targeted Adenovirus Vectors
Current Gene Therapy