Cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a rational therapeutic cancer target, and screening for CSC-targeting drugs

Abstract

The emergence of drug resistance is a major obstacle to the successful pharmacological treatment of cancer. Tumor heterogeneity is one of the key factors underlying drug resistance. Cancer cell heterogeneity in tumors is caused by genetic mutation and by the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are defined as a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cancer cells with self-renewal activity. It has been reported that various types of cancer involve CSCs, and that CSCs are generally resistant to anticancer drugs. Therefore, CSC-targeting agents could allow for more effective pharmacological treatment of cancer. Using a comprehensive gene expression study and functional genomic approach, we are trying to identify CSC-specific survival factors, as well as candidate compounds that interfere with CSC-selective survival signaling. These CSC-targeting drugs could be promising new therapeutic agents which would suppress the emergence of drug-resistant cells and enhance the effect of antitumor agents.