Search results for "CANCER STEM CELLS."

FACS-based protocol to assess cytotoxicity and clonogenic potential of colorectal cancer stem cells using a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway reporter

2021

Summary Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in tumor initiation and progression. A real-time tool to evaluate the activation of CSC-specific signaling pathways is crucial for the study of this cancer cell subset. Here, we present a protocol to monitor, in vitro, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is considered a functional biomarker for colorectal CSCs (CR-CSCs). This flow-cytometry-based protocol allows it to isolate CR-CSCs and to evaluate their cytotoxicity upon anti-tumor treatments. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Di Franco et al. (2021).

STEM CELLS IN BREAST CANCER DEVELOPMENT AND MALIGNANT PROGRESSION

Cancer Stem Cells: to be or not to be, is that the problem?

2014

THE TUMOR CELL IDENTITY: A GATEWAY TO THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION

It is now well established that within a tumor mass there is a hierarchical organization, stemming from a cell subpopulation retaining the highest tumorigenic potential, referred as cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for tumor initiation and progression. Although recent advances in stem cell biology led to the acquisition of new view of thyroid carcinoma as a stem cell disease, the cellular origin of thyroid CSCs remains unknown. In Chapter 1 it is critically discussed the potential role of thyroid stem cells (TSCs) in light of the available information on the oncogenic role of genetic alterations underlying the thyroid carcinogenesis. Understanding the key events that regulate thyroid t…

Let-7d-5p miRNA shows oncogenic functions in triple negative breast cancer

2018

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of BC which lack of targeted therapies and is associated with poor prognosis. The presence of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) could be responsible for TNBC resistance to therapy, recurrence and metastasis, and might explain the difficult of its eradication. MiRNAs -a class of small non-coding RNAs- can modulate gene expression and their dysregulation may cause cancer formation. The let-7 family is dysregulated in various cancers and often its roles are unclear and of difficult interpretation. For example, let-7d can be over- or down-expressed and can act as tumor suppressor or oncogene. Here, we evaluated the expression profiles o…

Adipose stem cells on the basis of tumor transformation

Mesenchymal stem cells thanks to their differentiated multipotent ability are considered the most promising candidate for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The source of mesenchymal stem cells up to about 20 years was represented by the bone marrow, but due to their limited amount of cells together with a very invasive and painfull surgical treatment, poorly accepted by patients, has led the scientific community to investigate an alternative mesenchymal stem cells source with similar properties. In particular, the adipose tissue has attracted the greatest interest thanks to its relative abundance, the easy of availability and the large amounts of mesenchymal stem cells which are…

The C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 1 Sustains Breast Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Promotes Tumor Progression and Immune Escape Programs

2021

Breast cancer (BC) mortality is mainly due to metastatic disease, which is primarily driven by cancer stem cells (CSC). The chemokine C-X-C motif ligand-1 (CXCL1) is involved in BC metastasis, but the question of whether it regulates breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) behavior is yet to be explored. Here, we demonstrate that BCSCs express CXCR2 and produce CXCL1, which stimulates their proliferation and self-renewal, and that CXCL1 blockade inhibits both BCSC proliferation and mammosphere formation efficiency. CXCL1 amplifies its own production and remarkably induces both tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive factors, includingSPP1/OPN,ACKR3/CXCR7,TLR4,TNFSF10/TRAILandCCL18and, to a lesser exte…

Cancer Stem Cells: From Birth to Death

2019

Abstract Conspicuous investigations have proven the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the onset and progression of a plethora of liquid and solid neoplasms. CSCs are endowed with the capability of initiating tumor growth and becoming dormant at distant organ sites just waiting for optimal conditions amenable for metastatic outgrowth. This cancer subpopulation is inherently resistant to anticancer therapeutics, and its targeting could avoid metastatic disease, which is largely incurable, and clinical relapses. CSCs are considered the Achilles heel of cancer. However, many efforts are necessary to identify univocal CSC markers as well as specific CSC biomarkers of therapeutic response. Here…

Role of exosomes released by colon cancer stem cells in the modulation of tumor microenvironment.

2014

Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment

2021

Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor…