Concise Review: Targeting Cancer Stem Cells Using Immunologic Approaches. (13th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Qin; Li, Qiao; Liu, Shuang; Ning, Ning; Zhang, Xiaolian; Xu, Yingxin; Chang, Alfred E.; Wicha, Max S.
• Is Part Of: Stem cells. Volume 33:Number 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 2085
• Page End: 2092
• Publication Date: 2015-05-13
• Subjects: Cloning -- Periodicals; Clone cells -- Periodicals; Stem cells -- Periodicals; Cell Differentiation -- Periodicals; Cell Division -- Periodicals; Clone Cells -- Periodicals; Hematopoietic Stem Cells -- Periodicals; Stem Cells -- Periodicals; 571.84
• DOI: 10.1002/stem.2039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-5099

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small subset of tumor cells which have the ability to self‐renew and generate the diverse cells that comprise the tumor bulk. They are responsible for local tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. However, they are resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Novel immunotherapeutic strategies that specifically target CSCs may improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. To immunologically target CSC phenotypes, innate immune responses to CSCs have been reported using Natural killer cells and γδ T cells. To target CSC specifically, in vitro CSC‐primed T cells have been successfully generated and shown targeting of CSCs in vivo after adoptive transfer. Recently, CSC‐based dendritic cell vaccine has demonstrated significant induction of anti‐CSC immunity both in vivo in immunocompetent hosts and in vitro as evident by CSC reactivity of CSC vaccine‐primed antibodies and T cells. In addition, identification of specific antigens or genetic alterations in CSCs may provide more specific targets for immunotherapy. ALDH, CD44, CD133, and HER2 have served as markers to isolate CSCs from a number of tumor types in animal models and human tumors. They might serve as useful targets for CSC immunotherapy. Finally, since CSCs are regulated by interactions with the CSC niche, these interactions may serve as additional targets for CSC immunotherapy. Targeting the tumor microenvironment, such as interrupting the immune cell, for example, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and cytokines, for example, IL‐6 and IL‐8, as well as the immune checkpoint (PD1/PDL1, etc.) may provide additional novel strategies to enhance the immunological targeting of CSCs. S<sc>tem</sc> C<sc>ells</sc> 2015;33:2085–2092</p> </abstract>