Tumour stem cells and drug resistance

M Dean, T Fojo, S Bates - Nature Reviews Cancer, 2005 - nature.com
M Dean, T Fojo, S Bates
Nature Reviews Cancer, 2005nature.com
The contribution of tumorigenic stem cells to haematopoietic cancers has been established
for some time, and cells possessing stem-cell properties have been described in several
solid tumours. Although chemotherapy kills most cells in a tumour, it is believed to leave
tumour stem cells behind, which might be an important mechanism of resistance. For
example, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters have been shown to protect
cancer stem cells from chemotherapeutic agents. Gaining a better insight into the …
Abstract
The contribution of tumorigenic stem cells to haematopoietic cancers has been established for some time, and cells possessing stem-cell properties have been described in several solid tumours. Although chemotherapy kills most cells in a tumour, it is believed to leave tumour stem cells behind, which might be an important mechanism of resistance. For example, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters have been shown to protect cancer stem cells from chemotherapeutic agents. Gaining a better insight into the mechanisms of stem-cell resistance to chemotherapy might therefore lead to new therapeutic targets and better anticancer strategies.
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