Mitranovici Melinda-Ildiko, Caravia Laura Georgiana, Moraru Liviu, Pușcașiu Lucian
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, "George Emil Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.
Pharmaceutics. 2025 Feb 20;17(3):277. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17030277.
Increasing evidence shows that a very small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and metastasis. CSCs usually reside in hypoxic tumor regions and are characterized by high tumorigenicity. Their inaccessible nature allows them to avoid the effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In addition, conventional chemo- and radiotherapy is potentially toxic and could help CSCs to spread and survive. New therapeutic targets against CSCs are sought, including different signaling pathways and distinct cell surface markers. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided hope for the development of new therapeutic avenues to eradicate CSCs. In this review, we present newly discovered nanoparticles that can be co-loaded with an apoptosis-inducing agent or differentiation-inducing agent, with high stability, cellular penetration, and drug release. We also summarize the molecular characteristics of CSCs and the signaling pathways responsible for their survival and maintenance. Controlled drug release targeting CSCs aims to reduce stemness-related drug resistance, suppress tumor growth, and prevent tumor relapse and metastases.
越来越多的证据表明，极少量的癌症干细胞（CSCs）会导致癌症复发、耐药和转移。癌症干细胞通常存在于缺氧的肿瘤区域，具有高致瘤性。其难以接近的特性使它们能够避免化疗、放疗和手术等传统治疗的影响。此外，传统的化疗和放疗具有潜在毒性，可能会帮助癌症干细胞扩散和存活。人们正在寻找针对癌症干细胞的新治疗靶点，包括不同的信号通路和独特的细胞表面标志物。纳米技术的最新进展为开发根除癌症干细胞的新治疗途径带来了希望。在这篇综述中，我们介绍了新发现的纳米颗粒，它们可以与凋亡诱导剂或分化诱导剂共同负载，具有高稳定性、细胞穿透性和药物释放能力。我们还总结了癌症干细胞的分子特征以及负责其存活和维持的信号通路。针对癌症干细胞的可控药物释放旨在降低与干性相关的耐药性，抑制肿瘤生长，并预防肿瘤复发和转移。
