Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells within a tumor that are responsible for tumorigenesis and contribute to drug resistance. The CSC displays an anchorage-independent survival, active DNA-repair capacity, and relative quiescence and is capable of self-renewing and maintaining tumor growth and heterogeneity. | Turkish Journal of Biology Turk J Biol (2014) 38: 829-838 © TÜBİTAK doi: Review Article Cancer stem cells: emerging actors in both basic and clinical cancer research 1 1 2, Didem KARAKAŞ , Buse CEVATEMRE , Engin ULUKAYA * Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey 2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey 1 Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells within a tumor that are responsible for tumorigenesis and contribute to drug resistance. The CSC displays an anchorage-independent survival, active DNA-repair capacity, and relative quiescence and is capable of self-renewing and maintaining tumor growth and heterogeneity. At the molecular level, there are several signaling pathways (., Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog) to control CSC properties and alteration of these pathways has been recognized as an essential step for CSC transformation. Emerging evidence suggests that CSCs are clinically relevant. These cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Therefore, CSCs are thought to be the most important targets for anticancer therapy. In this review, we describe the characteristics of CSCs and how to isolate them based on some of their properties, as well as their importance in oncology. Key words: Cancer stem cell, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, niche, drug resistance, oncology 1. Introduction Over the past 50 years, many disease that cause death have dramatically decreased. Nevertheless, cancer deaths continue (Leaf, 2013). The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, released the latest data on cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence worldwide (Ferlay et al., 2013). According to .
