Abstract
Studies describing the tumor as a hierarchically organized cell population have changed the classical oncogenesis view and propose new therapeutic strategies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to sustain tumor initiation/maintenance, therapy resistance, and systemic metastases. Targeting this tumor cell population is crucial to achieve a true cancer cure. A large research effort is now aiming to develop drugs targeting CSCs, based either on a priori understanding of key pathways regulating CSC biology or on high-throughput screening to identify novel targets and compounds.
MeSH terms
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology
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CD24 Antigen / analysis
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Cadherins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Drug Discovery
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Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
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Female
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Humans
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Hyaluronan Receptors / analysis
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
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NF-kappa B / metabolism
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
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Signal Transduction
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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CD24 Antigen
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Cadherins
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Hyaluronan Receptors
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NF-kappa B