Colon Cancer Stem Cells: Promise of Targeted Therapy

The document from May 2010 explores the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the potential for targeted therapies. It discusses the identification of CSCs through markers like CD133 and Lgr5, and the importance of signaling pathways such as Wnt, BMP, Notch, and Shh in regulating the stem cell niche. The research indicates that a small fraction of colon cancer cells, particularly CD133+ cells, have the ability to initiate tumors and are resistant to conventional therapies, which contributes to cancer relapse. The document suggests that targeting CSCs could improve treatment outcomes, and it reviews novel therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors and the induction of CSC differentiation. However, it also acknowledges the limitations of the CSC theory and the need for further studies to accurately identify cancer-initiating cells and to develop effective treatments against them.