Topic Highlight
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2014; 20(8): 1898-1909
Published online Feb 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i8.1898
Intestinal stem cells and the colorectal cancer microenvironment
Bryan A Ong, Kenneth J Vega, Courtney W Houchen
Bryan A Ong, Kenneth J Vega, Courtney W Houchen, Department of Digestive Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
Author contributions: Ong BA contributed to literature research, article design, writing, revision, and illustration; Vega KJ contributed to article revision; Houchen CW contributed to article revision; all authors approved the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Courtney W Houchen, MD, Department of Digestive Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N Lindsay Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States. courtney-houchen@ouhsc.edu
Telephone: +1-405-2715428 Fax: +1-405-2715803
Received: October 10, 2013
Revised: December 3, 2013
Accepted: January 3, 2014
Published online: February 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Colorectal (CRC) cancer stem cells are a theorized but poorly characterized cell population believed to be crucial for tumor growth, spread, and tenacity. CRC stem cells share many similar characteristics of normal intestinal stem cells and are hypothesized to originate directly from them. It appears, however, that both the regulation of normal intestinal stem cells and the development of CRC are far more complex than previously imagined. Likely pivotal to the success of both are plasticity pathways able to reverse cellular fate, and stem cell niche signals, ultimately leading to self-replenishment and sometimes also unwanted dissemination.