Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer
Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the “soil” adapted...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Advanced Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224002510 |
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| author | Hao Zhong Shiyue Zhou Shuangshuang Yin Yuling Qiu Bo Liu Haiyang Yu |
| author_facet | Hao Zhong Shiyue Zhou Shuangshuang Yin Yuling Qiu Bo Liu Haiyang Yu |
| author_sort | Hao Zhong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the “soil” adapted to tumor growth, helping CSCs evade immune killing, enhance their chemical resistance, and promote cancer progression. Aim of review: We aim to elaborate the tight connection between CSCs and immunosuppressive components of the TME. We attempt to summarize and provide a therapeutic strategy to eradicate CSCs based on the destruction of the tumor ecological niche. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: This review is focused on three main key concepts. First, we highlight that CSCs recruit and transform normal cells to construct the TME, which further provides ecological niche support for CSCs. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the immunosuppressive components of the TME, targeting strategies and summarize the progress of corresponding drugs in clinical trials. Third, we explore the multilevel insights of the TME to serve as an ecological niche for CSCs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-daae624869174857b5720ebe3ecb21ac |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2090-1232 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Advanced Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-daae624869174857b5720ebe3ecb21ac2025-08-20T02:19:47ZengElsevierJournal of Advanced Research2090-12322025-05-017127929610.1016/j.jare.2024.06.014Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancerHao Zhong0Shiyue Zhou1Shuangshuang Yin2Yuling Qiu3Bo Liu4Haiyang Yu5State Key Laboratory of Component‐Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Component‐Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Component‐Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Corresponding author at: School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070.State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China; Corresponding author at: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610065.State Key Laboratory of Component‐Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Corresponding author at: State Key Laboratory of Component‐Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617.Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the “soil” adapted to tumor growth, helping CSCs evade immune killing, enhance their chemical resistance, and promote cancer progression. Aim of review: We aim to elaborate the tight connection between CSCs and immunosuppressive components of the TME. We attempt to summarize and provide a therapeutic strategy to eradicate CSCs based on the destruction of the tumor ecological niche. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: This review is focused on three main key concepts. First, we highlight that CSCs recruit and transform normal cells to construct the TME, which further provides ecological niche support for CSCs. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the immunosuppressive components of the TME, targeting strategies and summarize the progress of corresponding drugs in clinical trials. Third, we explore the multilevel insights of the TME to serve as an ecological niche for CSCs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224002510Cancer stem cellsTumor microenvironmentTumor associated macrophagesCancer associated fibroblastsMyeloid-derived suppressor cellsRegulatory T cells |
| spellingShingle | Hao Zhong Shiyue Zhou Shuangshuang Yin Yuling Qiu Bo Liu Haiyang Yu Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer Journal of Advanced Research Cancer stem cells Tumor microenvironment Tumor associated macrophages Cancer associated fibroblasts Myeloid-derived suppressor cells Regulatory T cells |
| title | Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| title_full | Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| title_fullStr | Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| title_short | Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| title_sort | tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer |
| topic | Cancer stem cells Tumor microenvironment Tumor associated macrophages Cancer associated fibroblasts Myeloid-derived suppressor cells Regulatory T cells |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224002510 |
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