Lung cancer stem cell (null)

Lung cancer stem cells are a subpopulation of tumor cells in lung cancers endowed with self-renewal, multipotent differentiation, tumorigenic capacity, and pronounced resistance to conventional therapies. Identified primarily by cell-surface markers like CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, and others, these cells are implicated in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and relapse. Therapeutic strategies targeting lung cancer stem cells include monoclonal antibodies, antibody- or aptamer-drug conjugates, CAR-T cell approaches, and small molecule inhibitors aimed at disrupting key markers and pathways supporting their stem-like properties. However, challenges remain due to cellular plasticity and potential overlap of markers with normal stem cell populations, raising safety concerns and risk of incomplete tumor eradication.

Other names

Lung CSCCancer stem cell in lungLC-SCTumor-initiating cell in lung

Targeting and elimination of CSCs via: Immune-mediated cell killing (CAR-T, monoclonal antibodies); Inhibition of stem cell marker function (antibody/aptamer conjugates); Inhibition of drug efflux (ABCG2 inhibitors); Inducing differentiation or apoptosis (small molecules like salinomycin)