Tag Archives: cancer stem cells
Cancer stem cells in recurrence and therapy resistance: biological insights and emerging therapeutic strategies
Y. Tamilselvi*, P. Velmurugan, K. Sivasubramanian
Centre for Materials Engineering and Regenerative Medicine,
Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, India;
*e-mail: pughazselvi@gmail.com
Received: 12 May 2025; Revised: 29 September 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: February 2026
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a resilient subset of tumor cells, able to evade immune detection and rapidly proliferate, are responsible for the metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance observed across various cancers. Recent research has concentrated on understanding the molecular networks that support CSCs immune evasion, self-renewal, and adaptability. Signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT) and surface markers (CD44, CD133, ALDH1) that characterize CSC behaviour are compiled in this review. We highlight the expanding usefulness of omics technologies, such as CRISPR functional genomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and spatial proteomics, in determining vulnerabilities unique to CSCs and guiding tailored treatment plans.
Comparative characteristic of lung cancer stem-like cells generated in vitro under different culture conditions
O. V. Skachkova1*, O. I. Gorbach1, M. V. Inomistova1,
L. V. Garmanchuk2, N. M. Khranovska1
1National Cancer Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine;
2ESC “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
*e-mail: oksanaskachkova@ukr.net
Received: 20 June 2020; Accepted: 17 December 2020
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in resistance to cancer treatment and recurrence developing. The aim of this study was to obtain cell culture of MOR line non-small cell lung cancer cells enriched in CSCs and to investigate its functional and molecular-genetic properties. Tumor spheroids (TS) of MOR cell line were generated in vitro under normal adhesive (0.2% carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) or low-adhesive (2% agarose) culture conditions. Lateral population of TS was evaluated by flow cytometry with the use of R-123 fluorescent dye, the index of R-123 exclusion was also assessed. Expression of CD44, ALDHA1, CD133, Sox2 and Nanog mRNA was determined with RT-qPCR. It was found that regardless of the culture conditions tumor spheroids form a lateral population characterized by an increased dye exclusion index. Expression levels of CD44, ALDHA1, CD133, Sox2 and Nanog mRNA in TS cells obtained under low-adhesive (2% agarose) conditions were significantly higher than in monolayer cells and cells obtained using 0.2% CMC. Thus, the proposed method of culturing in low-adhesive conditions allowed to enrich significantly tumor spheroids of MOR line in cells with CSC properties.