Epigenetic regulation of cancer stem cell formation and maintenance.

Cancerous tumours contain a rare subset of cells with stem-like properties that are termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are defined by their ability to divide both symmetrically and asymmetrically, to initiate new tumour growth and to tolerate the foreign niches required for metastatic dissemination. Accumulating evidence suggests that tumours arise from cells with stem-like properties, the generation of CSCs is therefore likely to be an initiatory event in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, CSCs in established tumours exist in a dynamic and plastic state, with nonstem tumour cells thought to be capable of de-differentiation to CSCs. The regulation of the CSC state both during tumour initiation and within established tumours is a desirable therapeutic target and is mediated by epigenetic factors. In this review, we will explore the epigenetic parallels between induced pluripotency and the generation of CSCs, and discuss how the epigenetic regulation of CSCs opens up novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention. © 2020 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.

Citation

Rhiannon French, Siim Pauklin. Epigenetic regulation of cancer stem cell formation and maintenance. International journal of cancer. 2021 Jun 15;148(12):2884-2897

Mesh Tags

Substances

PMID: 33197277

search → result