Ovarian cancer stem cell antigens (OCSC antigens)

Ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) antigens are a diverse group of surface markers and intracellular proteins that characterize a small subpopulation of tumor cells capable of self-renewal, differentiation, and driving tumor progression. Prominent antigens include CD44, CD133, ALDH1, CD117 (c-Kit), and CD24, which are frequently associated with high-grade disease, metastasis, and poor patient survival. These antigens are of significant therapeutic interest because OCSCs are typically resistant to standard platinum-based and taxane-based chemotherapies, serving as the primary reservoir for disease recurrence and relapse. Targeting these antigens involves various strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors of stemness pathways (e.g., Wnt, Notch), and advanced immunotherapies such as CAR-T cells. For instance, agents like imatinib target the CD117 receptor, while metformin has been shown to reduce the ALDH-positive cell population. Despite their potential, the clinical utility of targeting OCSC antigens is complicated by the inherent plasticity of cancer cells, which allows non-stem cells to acquire stem-like properties, and the risk of damaging normal stem cell niches that share similar markers.

Other names

Ovarian cancer stem cell markersOCSC markersOvarian tumor-initiating cell markersOvarian CSC antigens

Drugs targeting ovarian cancer stem cell antigens work by inhibiting self-renewal signaling pathways (such as Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog), inducing apoptosis in chemoresistant subpopulations, or directly eliminating cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and CAR-T cell-mediated lysis. Some agents, like metformin, specifically reduce the population of ALDH-positive cells, while others like imatinib inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases like c-Kit (CD117) to sensitize cells to conventional chemotherapy.