Advances in osteosarcoma stem cell research and opportunities for novel therapeutic targets

Cancer Lett. 2016 Jan 28;370(2):268-74. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.003. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, especially in children and young adults. The primary treatment for osteosarcoma is a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, however prognoses remain poor due to chemoresistance and early metastases. Osteosarcoma stem cells appear to play central roles in tumor recurrence, metastases and chemoresistance via self-renewal and differentiation. Targeting these cells may provide a novel strategy in the treatment of osteosarcoma. This review summarizes current knowledge of this rare phenotype and recent advances in understanding the functions OSCs (osteosarcoma stem cells) in osteosarcoma, with the aim of improving therapies in the future.

Keywords: Cancer stem cell; Epigenetic regulator; Microenvironment; Self-renewal; Stemness; Therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Hedgehog Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology*
  • Peptides / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cell Research*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / physiology

Substances

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD
  • Glycoproteins
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Notch
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit