Tumor stem cells
Tumor stem cells (TSCs), also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are a subpopulation of cancer cells that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells. These cells are believed to persist in tumors as a distinct population and cause relapse and metastasis by giving rise to new tumors.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Tumor stem cells exhibit several key characteristics that distinguish them from other cancer cells. These include:
- Self-renewal: TSCs have the ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining the undifferentiated state.
- Potency: TSCs have the capacity to differentiate into multiple cell types found in the tumor.
- Tumorigenic: TSCs are capable of initiating a tumor, i.e., they can reproduce the original tumor when injected into a host organism.
Identification[edit | edit source]
Identifying TSCs is challenging due to their rarity and the lack of specific biomarkers. However, several methods have been developed to isolate and study these cells. These include flow cytometry, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
Role in Cancer[edit | edit source]
Tumor stem cells are believed to play a crucial role in cancer progression and therapy resistance. They are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation, growth, recurrence, and metastasis. Moreover, TSCs are often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which kill the bulk of the tumor cells but leave the TSCs intact. This resistance is believed to be due to several mechanisms, including increased DNA repair, resistance to apoptosis, and the expression of drug efflux pumps.
Therapeutic Implications[edit | edit source]
The discovery of TSCs has significant implications for cancer therapy. Targeting these cells could potentially improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments and prevent relapse. Several strategies are being explored to target TSCs, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and the use of small molecule inhibitors.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
 | This oncology article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
50px This stem cell related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
