The shifting paradigm of colorectal cancer treatment: a look into emerging cancer stem cell-directed therapeutics to lead the charge toward complete remission. (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kopenhaver, Jessica; Crutcher, Madison; Waldman, Scott A.; Snook, Adam E.
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on biological therapy. Volume 21:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1335
• Page End: 1345
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: Colorectal cancer -- cancer stem cell -- immunotherapy -- guanylate cyclase c; Gene therapy -- Periodicals; Protein drugs -- Periodicals; Peptide drugs -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1929167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2598

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Despite advances in early detection, ~25% of patients are late stage, and treated patients have <12% chance of survival after five years. Tumor relapse and metastasis are the main causes of patient death. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare population of cancer cells characterized by properties of self-renewal, chemo- and radio-resistance, tumorigenicity, and high plasticity. These qualities make CSCs particularly important for metastasic seeding, DNA-damage resistance, and tumor repopulating. Areas Covered : The following review article focuses on the role of CRC-SCs in tumor initiation, metastasis, drug resistance, and tumor relapse, as well as on potential therapeutic options for targeting CSCs. Expert Opinion : Current studies are underway to better isolate and discriminate CSCs from normal stem cells and to produce CSC-targeted therapeutics. The intestinal receptor, guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C) could potentially provide a unique therapeutic target for both non-stem cells and CSCs alike in colorectal cancer through immunotherapies. Indeed, immunotherapies targeting CSCs have the potential to break the treatment-recurrence cycle in the management of advanced malignancies.