Cancer Stem Cells and Advanced Novel Technologies in Oncotherapy

Abstract

Self-renewal is the most important property of stem cells. Parallel to this, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an indefinite proliferative ability that drives tumorigenesis. The conventional treatment of cancer includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, which decreases the tumour size. Contrary, targeted therapy against CSCs initially does not shrink the tumour but ultimately causes tumour degeneration. Nanobiotechnology, RNA interference, microRNA are emerging fields with a vital role in targeted therapy against CSCs. The non-protein encoding microRNAs has a major role in cancer treatment since they regulate gene expression during post-transcription. RNAi technology can silence the gene of interest with potency and specificity inhibiting tumour growth. In nanoparticles-based RNA interference, nanocarriers protect RNAi molecules from immune recognition and enzymatic degradation. The cancer cell gene expression profiling using next-generation sequencing helps in understanding the underlying cancer cell mechanisms. The current chapter deals with novel concepts in the treatment of cancer.