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Cancer stem cells, microRNAs, and therapeutic strategies including natural products

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Abstract

Embryonic stem cells divide continuously and differentiate into organs through the expression of specific transcription factors at specific time periods. Differentiated adult stem cells on the other hand remain in quiescent state and divide by receiving cues from the environment (extracellular matrix or niche), as in the case of wound healing from tissue injury or inflammation. Similarly, it is believed that cancer stem cells (CSCs), forming a smaller fraction of the tumor bulk, also remain in a quiescent state. These cells are capable of initiating and propagating neoplastic growth upon receiving environmental cues, such as overexpression of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Candidate CSCs express distinct biomarkers that can be utilized for their identification and isolation. This review focuses on the known and candidate cancer stem cell markers identified in various solid tumors and the promising future of disease management and therapy targeted at these markers. The review also provides details on the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), and the miRNA- and natural product-based therapies that could be applied for the treatment of cancer stem cells.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Eugene Han for his help with the figures. The study was supported by funds from VAGLAHS, West Los Angeles Surgical Education Research Center, UCLA Academic Senate (Marilene B. Wang), Departments of Medicine (Raj K. Batra) and head and Neck Surgery (MBW), and NIH (R21 CA116826-01 to MBW) and Merit grant from the Veterans Administration, Washington, DC (Eri S. Srivatsan).

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None of the authors have any financial interest in this review article

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, VAGLAHS West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Darshni Vira, Saroj K. Basak & Marilene B. Wang

  2. Department of Surgery, VAGLAHS West Los Angeles/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Mysore S. Veena

  3. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Darshni Vira & Marilene B. Wang

  4. Department of Medicine, VAGLAHS West Los Angeles/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Saroj K. Basak & Raj K. Batra

  5. Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, VAGLAHS West Los Angeles/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA

    Eri S. Srivatsan

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  1. Darshni Vira
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  2. Saroj K. Basak
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  3. Mysore S. Veena
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  4. Marilene B. Wang
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Correspondence to Raj K. Batra or Eri S. Srivatsan.

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Marilene B. Wang, Raj K. Batra, and Eri S. Srivatsan are members of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90073

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Vira, D., Basak, S.K., Veena, M.S. et al. Cancer stem cells, microRNAs, and therapeutic strategies including natural products. Cancer Metastasis Rev 31, 733–751 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-012-9382-8

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