Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in many types of cancer since their discovery in leukemia in the 1990s. CSCs have self-renewal and differentiation capacity, and are thought to be a key driver for the establishment and growth of tumours. Several intracellular signalling pathways are reported to play a significant role in the regulation of the biological activities of CSCs. Thus, many researchers have considered CSCs to be a compelling therapeutic target for cancer, and blockade of CSC-related signalling pathways can be efficacious for the treatment of multiple cancer types. This chapter succinctly summarises the recent progress in the development of treatments targeting signalling pathways related to the functions of CSCs.