Title: Targeting Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Author(s): Francesco Crea, Lesley A. Mathews, William L. Farrar and Elaine M. Hurt
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Prostate, cancer stem cells, tumor-initiating cells, molecular therapies, transforming growth factor beta, hedgehog, notch, betacatenin
Abstract: Cancer stem cells are the sub-population of cells present within tumors responsible for tumorigenesis. These cells have unique biological properties including self-renewal and the ability to differentiate. Furthermore, it is thought that these cells are more resistant to conventional chemotherapy and, as a result, are responsible for patient relapse. We will discuss the identification of prostate cancer stem cells, their unique properties and how these cells may be targeted for more efficacious therapies.