Cancer stem cell survival pathways (CSC survival pathways)

Cancer stem cell (CSC) survival pathways encompass a network of highly conserved developmental signaling cascades—primarily Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog—that regulate the self-renewal, pluripotency, and survival of a small subpopulation of tumor cells known as cancer stem cells (Takebe et al., 2015, Nat Rev Clin Oncol). These pathways are often aberrantly activated in various malignancies, contributing to tumor initiation, progression, and the development of resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiation (Nassar and Blanpain, 2016, Nat Rev Cancer). By maintaining the CSC pool, these pathways facilitate tumor recurrence and metastatic spread, making them critical focal points for therapeutic intervention (Li et al., 2017, J Hematol Oncol). Drugs targeting these pathways, such as Hedgehog inhibitors (e.g., Vismodegib) or STAT3 inhibitors (e.g., Napabucasin), aim to eliminate the "root" of the cancer to achieve long-term remission (Moore and Chiu, 2011, Nat Rev Drug Discov). However, because these pathways are also essential for the maintenance and repair of normal tissues, therapeutic strategies must carefully balance efficacy against the risk of significant toxicity to healthy stem cell populations (Kelleher et al., 2020, Signal Transduct Target Ther).

Other names

Stemness signaling pathwaysCancer stem cell self-renewal pathwaysCSC signaling pathways

Inhibition of developmental signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog) and transcription factors (STAT3, SOX2, OCT4) to deplete the self-renewing subpopulation of tumor cells.