Abstract
Recent insights regarding the function of cancer stem cells are particularly intriguing when considered in the context of the metastatic cascade. As evidence for the direct involvement of cancer stem cells in initiating the growth of metastatic lesions is scant, this chapter will focus on known events in malignant transformation that are likely to involve or affect cancer stem cells, which may give rise to primary tumors of varying degrees of malignancy and metastatic potentials. The role of cancer stem cells in the later steps of the metastasis cascade will also be discussed. Finally, this chapter will explore potential characteristics vulnerabilities of cancer stem cells involved in metastasis, and speculate on how these weaknesses may be exploited to generate novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Stem Cell Research |
| Subtitle of host publication | New Developments |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 235-250 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781619420816 |
| State | Published - 2012 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Medicine