Cell surface markers and signaling pathways of cancer stem cells: target for potent therapeutics

Stem cell markers play a significant role in the isolation and identification of specific stem cell population, whereas cancer stem cell (CSC) markers are important in the therapeutic strategies of tumor. CSCs are a small subpopulation of cells that have the capability of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumor-initiating capabilities. They originate from either differentiated cells or adult stem cells. This highly adaptive characteristic of the CSCs causes chemotherapy and other treatments to fail as well as allow tumor progression/relapse. CSC surface markers provide molecular targeted therapies for various cancers. CSCs are regulated by transcriptional factors and different signaling pathways that include Wnt signaling, Hedgehog, Notch pathway, and PI3K and PTEN pathways. Potential therapeutics can target specific complex cellular-level activity to interfere with CSCs growth, resistance, and adaptability to shifting from one energy source to another.