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World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2014; 6(5): 606-613
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.606
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.606
Stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers: The road less travelled
Sameh Mikhail, the Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Amer Zeidan, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8028, United States
Author contributions: Mikhail S and Zeidan A contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MhS, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar street, PO. Box 208028, New Haven, CT 06520-8028, United States. amer.zeidan@yale.edu
Telephone: +1-203-7377103 Fax: +1-203-7857232
Received: July 25, 2014
Revised: August 29, 2014
Accepted: September 6, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Revised: August 29, 2014
Accepted: September 6, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought to be malignant cells that have the capacity to initiate and maintain tumor growth and survival. Several studies have explored the role of dysregulation of the Wnt/β- catenin, transformation growth factor-beta and hedhog pathways in generation of CSC. The exact machismo of their development, however, remains unknown. Several investigators have researched modalities to identify and target CSC. In this review, we summarize the recent evidence exploring the mechanisms of development, identification and targeting of CSC in gastrointestinal malignancies.