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Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2014; 20(4): 923-942
Published online Jan 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i4.923
Figure 12
Figure 12 Origin of cancer stem cells and tumor heterogeneity. It has been hypothesized that CSCs may derive from transformation of quiescent, normal stem cells (left) or could result from the de-differentiation of more mature cells which might re-acquire the capability of self-renewal. Other mutations might occur following transformation in both cases. SC: Stem cell; PC: Progenitor cell; DC: Differentiated cell; C: Cancer; N: Normal; CSCs: Cancer stem cells.