A Review of Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors

Abstract

 Cancer is defined by the uncontrolled  development of aberrant cells that may infiltrate and  destroy surrounding tissues. This description suggests  that all cancer cells inside a tumour are aberrant in the  same way, and therefore have the same ability to start and  maintain the tumour. It has long been recognized that the  individual cells that make up a tumour may have  considerable functional and morphologic heterogeneity.  A growing body of data suggests that many solid tumour  are structured in a hierarchical fashion, with the small  fraction of cancer stems cells as well as tumors initiating  cell driving tumour development. These cell are the only  ones capable of starting and driving tumour development,  although making up a tiny proportion of the total tumour  population. CSCs may be resistant to chemotherapy as  well as radiation treatment, according to new research,  which has sparked a lot of discussion and curiosity about  their potential therapeutic use.