A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON CANCER STEM CELLS AND THERAPY

Author Name: 1. Kishan Madhavani 2.Shalini Barad 3. Manali Italiya 4. Bhavesh Akbari

Volume/Issue: 07/02

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/07.2026-94124556/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Research Scholar, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, P P Savani University, Surat, Gujarat.
2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, P P Savani University, Surat, Gujarat.
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Maliba Pharmacy College, Uka Tarsadia University, Bardoli, Gujarat
4. Professor & Principal, School of Pharmacy, P P Savani University, Surat, Gujarat

ABSTRACT

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a limited but highly tumorigenic subgroup of tumour cells. Which possess unique abilities of self-regeneration, multipotency, and sustained tumor propagation. These cells having a pivotal character to development of cancer, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and disease recurrence. Unlike bulk tumor population, CSCs exhibit enhanced survival mechanisms, including efficient DNA repair, quiescence, and resistance to apoptosis, making them largely insensitive to conventional treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecularly targeted therapies. Consequently, residual CSCs can survive treatment, repopulate tumors, and contribute to relapse and poor clinical outcomes. Recent advances in cancer biology have emphasized the importance of selectively targeting CSCs to achieve durable therapeutic responses. This review provides overview of the biological characteristics of CSCs, including their bio-markers, signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, and mechanisms underlying drug resistance and metastatic potential. Particular attention is given to key signaling networks such as Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hedgehog, which regulate CSC maintenance and survival. In addition, the review highlights emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating CSCs through biomarker-directed therapies, autophagy modulation, organelle-specific targeting, and drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery platforms, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and polymeric carriers, have demonstrated considerable selective therapy of anticancer agents to CSCs while minimizing systemic toxicity. These innovative approaches may enhance therapeutic efficacy by overcoming biological barriers and reducing treatment resistance. Overall, targeting CSCs in combination with conventional anticancer therapies offers a promising strategy to suppress tumor recurrence, inhibit metastasis, and improve long-term patient survival. Continued research and clinical translation of CSC-targeted therapies are expected to more effective and personalized cancer treatment strategies

Key words: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) · Drug Delivery System, Anti-tumor therapy, Drug- resistance