Cancer Stem Cell Markers and Properties Across Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Purpose of Review Gastrointestinal cancers are a major health concern worldwide and include oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers that may have unfavourable patient prognoses and frequently lead to death due to cancer. The function of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumour growth, propagation, migration, metastasis, and recurrence has been reported in the literature, and finding effective markers for these cells is highly desirable. Recent Findings These cells may display properties such as self-renewal, symmetric and asymmetric divisions, low reactive oxygen species, efflux of compounds and toxins, heightened capacity for DNA damage repair, and tumour growth and propagation in immunodeficient mouse models. Furthermore, CSCs dynamically interact with the tumour microenvironment and, in addition, may impact processes like tumour progression, aggressive behaviour, migration, disease relapse, and recurrence, hence becoming clinically important. Summary Based on this background, this review aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the properties of CSCs across five gastrointestinal cancers and to discuss their specific characteristics and markers. A better understanding of CSCs may ultimately contribute to improving patient prognoses and treatment outcomes and ultimately enhance the quality of life of gastrointestinal cancer sufferers.