Epigenetic regulation of cancer stem cell formation and maintenance

Journal article : Review

Cancerous tumours contain a rare subset of cells with stem-like properties that are termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are defined by their ability to divide both symmetrically and asymmetrically, to initiate new tumour growth and to tolerate the foreign niches required for metastatic dissemination. Accumulating evidence suggests that tumours arise from cells with stem-like properties, the generation of CSCs is therefore likely to be an initiatory event in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, CSCs in established tumours exist in a dynamic and plastic state, with non-stem tumour cells thought to be capable of de-differentiation to CSCs. The regulation of the CSC state both during tumour initiation and within established tumours is a desirable therapeutic target and is mediated by epigenetic factors. In this review we will explore the epigenetic parallels between induced pluripotency and the generation of CSCs, and discuss how the epigenetic regulation of CSCs opens up novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Authors: French, R; Pauklin, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: International Journal of Cancer
• Volume: 148
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2884-2897
• Publication date: 2020-11-30
• Acceptance date: 2020-11-11
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33398
• EISSN: 1097-0215
• ISSN: 0020-7136
• Pmid: 33197277
• Language: English
• Keywords: tumorigenesis; epigenetics; cancer therapy; induced pluripotent stem cells; early detection of cancer; FFR; cancer stem cells
• Subtype: Review