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Interpretation of interlocking key issues of cancer stem cells in malignant solid tumors

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Abstract

Objective

In this review, several interlinking issues related to cancer stem cells (CSCs) in malignant solid tumors are sequentially discussed.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane library, combining the words CSCs, solid tumor, isolation, identification, origination, therapy, target and epithelial–mesenchymal transition.

Results

Because a primary problem is the isolation of CSCs, we first analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of recently used methods, which were mostly based on the physical or immunochemical characteristics of CSCs. Once CSCs are isolated, they should be identified by their stem cell properties. Here, we suggest how to establish a standard identification strategy. We also focused on the origination hypotheses of CSCs. The supporting molecular mechanisms for each theory were thoroughly analyzed and integrated. Especially, epithelial– mesenchymal transition is an increasingly recognized mechanism to generate CSCs that are endowed with a more invasive and metastatic phenotype. Finally, we discuss putative strategies of eliminating CSCs as effective cancer therapies.

Conclusion

After several interlocking issues of CSCs are thoroughly clarified, these CSCs in solid malignant tumors may specifically be targeted, which raises a new hope for eliminating these tumors.

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Abbreviations

CSCs:

Cancer stem cells

DGC:

Density-gradient centrifugation

EMT:

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition

FACS:

Fluorescent activated cells sorting

HCSCs:

Hepatic cancer stem cells

HNSCs:

Hepatic normal stem cells

NOD/SCID:

Non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency

NSCs:

Normal stem cells

NSP:

Non side population

SP:

Side population

SP-HNCs:

Side population of hepatic normal cells

SP-HCCs:

Side population of hepatic cancer cells

TDDS:

Targeting drug delivery systems

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Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks go to Fu-qin Zhang (the Fourth Military Medical University, China) for data collection. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81170419, 81172061, 81000309, 81272648, 81001695). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, or preparation of the manuscript.

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The authors indicate no potential conflicts of interest.

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  1. PLA Center of General Surgery, General Hospital of Chengdu Army Region, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610083, China

    Wei-hui Liu, Hong-tao Yan, Tao Wang, Zhu Huang & Li-jun Tang

  2. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China

    Wei-hui Liu, Nan You & Ning Zhang

  3. Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China

    Hong-bao Liu

Authors
  1. Wei-hui Liu
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  2. Nan You
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  3. Ning Zhang
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  4. Hong-tao Yan
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  5. Tao Wang
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  6. Zhu Huang
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  7. Hong-bao Liu
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  8. Li-jun Tang
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hong-bao Liu or Li-jun Tang.

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Wei-hui Liu, Nan You, Ning Zhang, Hong-tao Yan, Tao Wang, Zhu Huang equally contributed to this work. Hong-bao Liu, Li-jun Tang were co-corresponding authors.

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Liu, Wh., You, N., Zhang, N. et al. Interpretation of interlocking key issues of cancer stem cells in malignant solid tumors. Cell Oncol. 35, 397–409 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13402-012-0110-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13402-012-0110-8

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