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Review article

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in Drug Resistance and their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer Treatment

Lan Thi PhiSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaIta Novita SariSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaYinggui YangSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaSanghyun LeeSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaNayoung JunSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaKwang Seock KimSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaYun Kyung LeeSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of KoreaHyog Young KwonSoonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
2018en
ABI

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are suggested to be responsible for drug resistance and cancer relapse due in part to their ability to self-renew themselves and differentiate into heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells. Thus, it is important to understand the characteristics and mechanisms by which CSCs display resistance to therapeutic agents. In this review, we highlight the key features and mechanisms that regulate CSC function in drug resistance as well as recent breakthroughs of therapeutic approaches for targeting CSCs. This promises new insights of CSCs in drug resistance and provides better therapeutic rationales to accompany novel anticancer therapeutics.

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