Cancer Stem Cell
From CasGroup
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'''Cancer stem cells''' (CSCs) are cancer cells (found within tumors or cancers) that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells. They are defined by their ability to (i) fully recapitulate the tumor of origin when transplanted, and (ii) self-renew. Both properties suggest that CSCs are required for tumor maintenance and metastasis; thus, it has been predicted that CSC elimination is required for cure. If treatments of cancer do not properly destroy enough CSCs, the tumor will reappear. | '''Cancer stem cells''' (CSCs) are cancer cells (found within tumors or cancers) that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells. They are defined by their ability to (i) fully recapitulate the tumor of origin when transplanted, and (ii) self-renew. Both properties suggest that CSCs are required for tumor maintenance and metastasis; thus, it has been predicted that CSC elimination is required for cure. If treatments of cancer do not properly destroy enough CSCs, the tumor will reappear. | ||
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| + | Like queen bees in a bee hive, cancer stem cells are constantly replenishing their "hive" of tumor cells. Therapies that kill off the workers may reduce the size of the tumor, but will ultimately be unsuccessful unless they also eliminate the stem cells working behind the scenes. They will suppress the symptoms of the disease, but won't kill the root cause. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
