Cancer Stem Cells

Question 1

What are 3 main properties of tumorigenic subset of cells aka cancer stem cells?

Answer 1

1. expresses distinctive surface markers that allow its reproducible and differential purification.
2. selectively endowed of tumorigenic capacity as opposed to all other subsets.
3. sustains the growth of heterogeneous cancer tissues (self renewal and differentiation)

Question 2

What pathway might be key to interfering with the spread of some pancreatic tumors?

Answer 2

CXCR4 (receptor for CXCL12/SF-1 chemokine), involved in leukocyte trafficking.

Question 3

What is the association between CXCR4 and cancer stem cells?

Answer 3

CXCR4 can be directly expressed by cancer cells and regulates their migratory and metastatic properties (Balkwill 2004, Muller 2001).