Molecular insights into colorectal cancer stem cell regulation by environmental factors

Abstract

Colorectal cancer remains a significant cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, mainly because of tumor relapse and metastases. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the main cause of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, as well as being responsible for distant metastases. Although CSCs themselves possess innate abilities for self-renewal and differentiation, the environment surrounding CSCs provides oxygen, nutrients and secreted factors, and also supports angiogenesis, thus it's responsible for maintaining their CSC properties. Furthermore, extensive investigations have revealed that obesity, accompanied by excess visceral adipose tissue, induces chronic inflammation, and is linked to the risk and progression of several gastrointestinal cancers, through modulating the capacities of the CSCs. This review presents the evidence linking colorectal CSCs and their environment and summarizes our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Keywords

Cancer stem cells markers / colorectal cancer stem cell / nutrient / obesity / tumor microenvironment

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