CANCER STEM CELLS: Redefining the Paradigm of Cancer Treatment Strategies

Two stages involved in cancer stem cell activation. Cancer requires the generation of an actively dividing or “activated” stem cell. This cell may be an actively dividing stem cell, a stem cell stimulated to divide by tissue damage or inflammation, or from an a differentiated (mature) cell acquiring the property of self-renewal. Mutations inactivating tumor suppressor genes (negative regulators of growth) or activating oncogenes (positive regulators) convert the activated stem cell into a cancer stem cell. Further mutations are required for tumor progression and metastasis.