Stem Cells Heterogeneity In Cancer

This book presents a comprehensive discussion on the heterogeneity existing between different types of stem cells within the same tissue, for several types of cancers, e.g. glioblastoma stem cells. Recent developments have revealed completely different roles of distinct stem cells within the same organ. Thus, Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Cancer provides a timely update us on the current information on stem cells heterogeneity in various tissues. It also provides a solid foundation of the history of stem cells from specific tissues and the current applications of this knowledge in regenerative medicine. When taken as a whole, alongside its companion volumes Stem Cells Heterogeneity – Novel Concepts, and Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Different Organs, these three books present a comprehensive reference on stem cell heterogeneity in various tissues and current and future applications for regenerative medicine. It is essential reading for advanced cell biology students as well as researchers in stem cells and clinicians.

This book presents a comprehensive discussion on the novel concepts in stem cell heterogeneity, from pluripotent stem cells to human mesenchymal stem cells, adult and cancer stem cells of the thyroid, sarcoma, and more. Thus, Stem Cell Heterogeneity - Novel Concepts starts from a timely update on the current information on stem cells heterogeneity in various tissues and discusses new concepts and future directions. It also provides a solid foundation of the history of stem cells from specific tissues and the current applications of this knowledge in regenerative medicine. When taken as a whole, alongside its companion volumes Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Different Organs, and Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Cancer, these three books present a comprehensive reference on stem cell heterogeneity in various tissues and current and future applications for regenerative medicine. It is essential reading for advanced cell biology students as well as researchers in stem cells and clinicians.

Genetic alterations in cancer, in addition to being the fundamental drivers of tumorigenesis, can give rise to a variety of metabolic adaptations that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate in diverse tumor microenvironments. This metabolic flexibility is different from normal cellular metabolic processes and leads to heterogeneity in cancer metabolism within the same cancer type or even within the same tumor. In this book, we delve into the complexity and diversity of cancer metabolism, and highlight how understanding the heterogeneity of cancer metabolism is fundamental to the development of effective metabolism-based therapeutic strategies. Deciphering how cancer cells utilize various nutrient resources will enable clinicians and researchers to pair specific chemotherapeutic agents with patients who are most likely to respond with positive outcomes, allowing for more cost-effective and personalized cancer therapeutic strategies.

This book presents a comprehensive discussion on the heterogeneity existing between different types of stem cells within the same tissue. As the functions of these stem cells vary, this is very important for the application of stem cells in cell therapy. This book describes the many recent developments that have revealed completely different roles of distinct stem cells within the same organ. Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Different Organs provides a timely update on the current information on stem cells heterogeneity in various tissues. It also provides a solid foundation of the history of stem cells from specific tissues and the current applications of this knowledge in regenerative medicine. Taken with its companion volumes, Stem Cells Heterogeneity: Novel Concepts and Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Cancer, this book is essential reading for advanced cell biology students as well as researchers and clinicians working with stem cells.

This book presents a comprehensive discussion on the heterogeneity existing between different types of stem cells within the same tissue. As the functions of these stem cells vary, this is very important for the application of stem cells in cell therapy. This book describes the many recent developments that have revealed completely different roles of distinct stem cells within the same organ. Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Different Organs provides a timely update on the current information on stem cells heterogeneity in various tissues. It also provides a solid foundation of the history of stem cells from specific tissues and the current applications of this knowledge in regenerative medicine. Taken with its companion volumes, Stem Cells Heterogeneity: Novel Concepts and Stem Cells Heterogeneity in Cancer, this book is essential reading for advanced cell biology students as well as researchers and clinicians working with stem cells.

The “cancer stem cell” hypothesis postulates that cancer arises from a subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs). While the idea of cancer stem cells has been around for more than a hundred years, evidence from the fields of hematology and cancer biology has now demonstrated the critical role of stem cells in hematological malignancies and suggested that these same mechanisms are also central to the initiation, progression, and treatment of solid cancers. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that CSCs exhibit many classical properties of normal stem cells, including a high self-renewal capacity and the ability to generate heterogeneous lineages; the requirement for a specific “niche”/microenvironment to grow; and an increased capacity for self-protection against harsh environments, toxins, and drugs. Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors represents a detailed overview of cancer stem cells and their role in solid cancers. Comprised of 24 chapters, this volume will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of this important and evolving field. Topics covered include: Introduction of the CSC hypothesis Historical perspectives and the contributing lessons from leukemia Current knowledge regarding the identification and role of CSCs in various forms of solid cancer including breast, brain, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma, lung, ovarian, hepatocellular, and head and neck cancer Molecular pathways involved in driving CSC function, with a particular focus on the novel convergence of embryonic and tumorigenic signaling pathways In vitro and in vivo assays, model systems, and imaging modalities for studying CSCs The clinical importance of CSCs for cancer management and treatment, including important implications for prognosis, prediction, and treatment resistance Consideration of the controversy surrounding the CSC hypothesis and important unanswered questions in this field This collective work was written by a group of prominent international experts in cancer biology, oncology, and/or stem cell biology. It will serve as a valuable resource for established researchers, professors, health care professionals, and students in the medical and scientific community who are investigating stem cells and/or oncology.

Cancer is a primary cause of human mortality worldwide. Despite decades of basic and clinical research, the outcome for most cancer patients is still dismal. Some stumbling blocks to developing effective therapy include the heterogeneity of cancer tissues, the lack of knowledge about the critical molecular mechanisms in cancer tissues (which are typically aberrant compared with mechanisms in normal tissue), and the lack of good mechanism-based therapeutic approaches. The recent findings that most cancers contain a small fraction of self-renewing, differentiation-blocked stem cell-like cells (cancer stem cells) and that it is these cells—and not the major bulk of the tissue—that are the root cause for cancer initiation and metastasis have also highlighted the need to change our approach to cancer therapy. The objectives of this book, therefore, would be to impart up-to-date information about the role of stem cells in the development of normal and cancerous tissue, the mechanisms that differentiate normal from cancerous functions, and the use of these findings in developing mechanism-based therapies.

A new therapeutic strategy could break the stalemate in the war on cancer by targeting not all cancerous cells but the small fraction that lie at the root of cancers. Lucie Laplane offers a comprehensive analysis of cancer stem cell theory, based on an original interdisciplinary approach that combines biology, biomedical history, and philosophy.