There is increasing evidence that malignant tumors are initiated and maintained by a sub-population of tumor cells that have similar biological properties to normal adult stem cells. This very small population of Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) comprises tumor initiating cells responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance and metastasis. Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, in addition to being potentially toxic and non-specific, may paradoxically increase the population, spread and survival of CSCs. Next-generation sequencing and omics technologies are increasing our understanding of the pathways and factors involved in the development of CSCs, and can help to discover new therapeutic targets against CSCs. In addition, recent advances in nanomedicine have provided hope for the development of optimal specific therapies to eradicate CSCs. Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence and nano-informatics can elucidate new drug targets, and help to design drugs and nanoparticles (NPs) to deal with CSCs. In this review, we first summarize the properties of CSCs and describe the signaling pathways and molecular characteristics responsible for the emergence and survival of CSCs. Also, the location of CSCs within the tumor and the effect of host factors on the creation and maintenance of CSCs are discussed. Newly discovered molecular targets involved in cancer stemness and some novel therapeutic compounds to combat CSCs are highlighted. The optimum properties of anti-CSC NPs, including blood circulation and stability, tumor accumulation and penetration, cellular internalization, drug release, endosomal escape, and aptamers designed for specific targeting of CSCs are covered. Finally, some recent smart NPs designed for therapeutic and theranostic purposes to overcome CSCs are discussed.
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science
3
4%
Social Sciences
2
3%
Chemistry
2
3%
Other
7
10%
Unknown
48
69%
Attention Score in Context
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 2. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 02 October 2023.
All research outputs
#15,754,982
of 25,394,764 outputs
Outputs from Journal of Controlled Release
#6,572
of 9,731 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#162,492
of 351,910 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Journal of Controlled Release
#57
of 164 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 25,394,764 research outputs across all sources so far. This one is in the 37th percentile – i.e., 37% of other outputs scored the same or lower than it.
So far Altmetric has tracked 9,731 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a little more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 5.9. This one is in the 30th percentile – i.e., 30% of its peers scored the same or lower than it.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 351,910 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 52% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 164 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 59% of its contemporaries.
