Cancer Stem Cells: Origins and Characteristics

Questions and Answers

What is the defining characteristic of cancer stem cells?

Capacity for self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity

Which source can give rise to cancer stem cells by losing their proliferative capacity?

Differentiated cells

How do cancer stem cells contribute to tumor initiation?

By acquiring a stem cell-like phenotype through EMT

Which characteristic distinguishes cancer stem cells from normal stem cells?

Highly dysregulated differentiation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell can be transformed during tissue regeneration to become cancer stem cells?

Tissue resident stem cells Signup and view all the answers

In what situation can differentiated cells contribute to the population of cancer stem cells?

Upon induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates normal stem cells from CSCs in terms of chromosomal arrangement?

Normal stem cells are diploid with long telomeres, while CSCs are aneuploid with short telomeres. Signup and view all the answers

How can CSCs be identified and enriched?

Using cell surface markers like CD44, CD24, and CD133. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing characteristic of CSCs in terms of their response to therapeutic treatments?

CSCs are highly resistant to treatments. Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding the stem cell niche important in cancer research?

To develop targeted therapies to combat cancer. Signup and view all the answers

Which cellular therapeutic approach is used to target therapy-resistant CSCs?

Targeted cellular therapy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells within tumors that have the capacity for self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity when transplanted into an animal host. These cells are associated with tumor initiation and can cause relapses.

Origins of Cancer Stem Cells

CSCs can arise from various sources:

Tissue resident stem cells: These cells can be transformed during tissue regeneration and can be responsible for tumor initiation.
Transformed differentiated cells: These cells can lose their proliferative capacity and support organ homeostasis through asymmetric division and terminal differentiation.
Progenitor cells: These cells possess the partial ability for self-renewal and may be more abundant in the tumor.
Differentiated cells: Upon induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), differentiated cells can acquire stem cell-like phenotype and contribute to the CSC population.

Characteristics of Cancer Stem Cells

CSCs share some characteristics with normal stem cells:

Self-renewal: CSCs have extensive proliferative potential with limited growth, which contributes to their long life span.
Differentiation: CSCs can initiate tumorigenesis through highly dysregulated differentiation.

However, there are also differences between normal stem cells and CSCs:

Stem cell niche: The stem cell niche is supportive and provides homeostasis maintenance in normal stem cells, while it is altered and deregulated due to dominant proliferation in CSCs.
Chromosomal arrangement: Normal stem cells are stable and normally diploid with relatively long telomeres, while CSCs are aneuploid and have short telomeres.
Therapeutic treatments: Normal stem cells are moderately sensitive to treatments, while CSCs are highly resistant.

Markers for Identifying Cancer Stem Cells

CSCs can be identified and enriched using cell surface markers such as CD44, CD24, and CD133.

Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells

Targeted cellular therapeutic approaches can be used to eliminate therapy-resistant CSCs that cause tumor recurrence.

In summary, cancer stem cells are a critical component of tumor initiation and growth. Understanding their origins, characteristics, and markers is crucial for developing targeted therapies to combat cancer.