Sato Ryo, Semba Takashi, Saya Hideyuki, Arima Yoshimi
Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Stem Cells. 2016 Aug;34(8):1997-2007. doi: 10.1002/stem.2406. Epub 2016 Jun 20.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-like properties that are able to self-renew, generate differentiated daughter cells, and give rise to heterogeneous tumor tissue. Tumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer and underlies resistance to anticancer therapies and disease progression. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible phenomenon that is mediated by EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and plays an important role in normal organ development, wound healing, and the invasiveness of cancer cells. Recent evidence showing that overexpression of several EMT-TFs is associated with stemness in cancer cells has suggested the existence of a link between EMT and CSCs. In this review, we focus on the roles of CSCs and EMT signaling in driving tumor heterogeneity. A better understanding of the dynamics of both CSCs and EMT-TFs in the generation of tumor heterogeneity may provide a basis for the development of new treatment options for cancer patients. Stem Cells 2016;34:1997-2007.
癌症干细胞(CSCs)是具有干细胞样特性的一小部分癌细胞亚群,能够自我更新,产生分化的子代细胞,并形成异质性肿瘤组织。肿瘤异质性是癌症的一个标志,是抗癌治疗耐药性和疾病进展的基础。上皮-间质转化(EMT)是一种由EMT诱导转录因子(EMT-TFs)介导的可逆现象,在正常器官发育、伤口愈合和癌细胞侵袭中起重要作用。最近有证据表明,几种EMT-TFs的过表达与癌细胞的干性相关,这提示EMT与CSCs之间存在联系。在本综述中,我们重点关注CSCs和EMT信号在驱动肿瘤异质性中的作用。更好地理解CSCs和EMT-TFs在肿瘤异质性产生中的动态变化,可能为开发癌症患者的新治疗方案提供依据。《干细胞》2016年;34:1997 - 2007。