How close are we to targeting the leukemia stem cell?

There are a number of approaches for selective targeting of leukemic stem cells (LSCs). These include targeting stem-cell properties, such as self-renewal, inducing cycling of quiescent LSCs to sensitize them to conventional agents, employing or inducing immune-based mechanisms, and targeting tumor-specific physiology. Agents such as parthenolide inhibit the ability of leukemic stem cells to respond to oxidative stress and make leukemic stem cells and bulk leukemic cells susceptible to cell death, while normal stem cells remain relatively unharmed by these agents. The major mechanism of action of these small molecules appears to revolve around the aberrant glutathione metabolism pathway found in leukemic cells.