Sarcomagenesis

Abstract

Sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms arising from the malignant transformation of mesenchymal cells. Evidence has increased considerably regarding the origin of sarcomas having putative sarcoma stem cells which are responsible for the initiation, maintenance, differentiation and proliferation of osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Different methods have been adopted for identifying primitive cells in sarcomas such as identifying surface markers, using flow cytometry for isolating cells having aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and performing side population analysis. This chapter summarizes and discusses data regarding the tumorigenesis of sarcomas, assessing their potential role in sensitivity and resistance to different classical interventions (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) as well as new molecularly-directed therapies.