Lung Cancer Stem Cells: Drivers of a Genetically and Histologically Complex Disease

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The study of cancer stem cells (CSCs) may offer new ways to combat and control lung cancer growth. However, CSCs have not been precisely defined in human lung cancers. The resemblance of CSCs to normal cell counterparts likely varies with regard to multiple factors, including the genetic lesions initiating tumorigenesis and progression, the tumor microenvironment, and the cell of origin of the tumor-that is, the cell type in which oncogenesis occurs. Almost every epithelial cell type in the adult lung has been described with stem cell properties in some context, making links between "normal" lung stem cells and tumorigenic cells more complex. Studies in human lung cancer and mouse models aim to determine if cellular hierarchies exist within the predominant subtypes of lung cancer, and if so, how the genetic mutations present in the tumors modulate these hierarchies. CSCs and their links to metastasis, drug resistance, and immunotherapy could provide new opportunities for the assessment and treatment of lung cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCancer Stem Cells
Subtitle of host publicationTargeting the Roots of Cancer, Seeds of Metastasis, and Sources of Therapy Resistance
Pages149-175
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9780128039342
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Alveolar type 2 cells
  • Basal cells
  • Bronchioalveolar stem cells
  • Genetically engineered mouse models
  • Lung cancer
  • Small cell lung cancer
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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