Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies

Stem cells have emerged as a pivotal area of research in the field of oncology, offering new insights into the mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of stem cells in cancer, focusing on cancer stem cells (CS...

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Main Authors: Laurence Haddadin, Xueqin Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Cells
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/7/538
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author Laurence Haddadin
Xueqin Sun
author_facet Laurence Haddadin
Xueqin Sun
author_sort Laurence Haddadin
collection DOAJ
description Stem cells have emerged as a pivotal area of research in the field of oncology, offering new insights into the mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of stem cells in cancer, focusing on cancer stem cells (CSCs), their characteristics, and their implications for cancer therapy. We discuss the origin and identification of CSCs, their role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance, and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs. Additionally, we explore the use of normal stem cells in cancer therapy, focusing on their role in tissue regeneration and their use as delivery vehicles for anticancer agents. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future directions in stem cell research in cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-bb2822feb3174bb2abbb5a2ad7a0ec2d2025-08-20T03:06:27ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-04-0114753810.3390/cells14070538Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic StrategiesLaurence Haddadin0Xueqin Sun1Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USACancer Genome and Epigenetics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USAStem cells have emerged as a pivotal area of research in the field of oncology, offering new insights into the mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of stem cells in cancer, focusing on cancer stem cells (CSCs), their characteristics, and their implications for cancer therapy. We discuss the origin and identification of CSCs, their role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance, and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs. Additionally, we explore the use of normal stem cells in cancer therapy, focusing on their role in tissue regeneration and their use as delivery vehicles for anticancer agents. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future directions in stem cell research in cancer.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/7/538cancerstem cellssignaling pathwaysgeneticsepigeneticstumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Laurence Haddadin
Xueqin Sun
Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
Cells
cancer
stem cells
signaling pathways
genetics
epigenetics
tumor microenvironment
title Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_full Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_fullStr Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_short Stem Cells in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
title_sort stem cells in cancer from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies
topic cancer
stem cells
signaling pathways
genetics
epigenetics
tumor microenvironment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/7/538
work_keys_str_mv AT laurencehaddadin stemcellsincancerfrommechanismstotherapeuticstrategies
AT xueqinsun stemcellsincancerfrommechanismstotherapeuticstrategies