Title:Insights into the Biological Properties of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: Implications for Cancer Progression and Therapy
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Author(s): Jafar Poodineh, Azimeh Akhlaghpour, Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati, Fatemeh Khojasteh Pour, Shahab Uddin, Maryam Farzaneh*Shirin Azizidoost*
Affiliation:
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz
Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Atherosclerosis Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University
of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Keywords:
Prostate , prostate cancer stem cells , signaling pathways , miRNAs , LncRNAs, AR.
Abstract: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second prevalent cancer in men. Recent studies have highlighted
the critical role of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) in driving tumor initiation and metastasis
of the prostate tissue. PCSCs are a rare population of cells in the prostate that possess self-renewal
and differentiation capabilities, making them a potential therapeutic target for effective PCa
treatment. Therefore, targeting PCSCs might be a novel strategy for the treatment of PCs. Research
has shown that various signaling pathways, such as Notch, SHH, TGF-β, Wnt, STAT3,
AKT, and EGFR, are involved in regulating PCSC proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally,
non-coding RNAs, such as long ncRNAs and miRNAs, have emerged as critical regulators
of PCSC pathogenesis and drug resistance. Here, we highlight that targeting these pathways could
offer new opportunities for the management of PCa. This review summarizes the current knowledge
surrounding the essential signaling pathways implicated in PCSC tumorigenesis and invasiveness.
