Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (40): 7585-7588.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.40.041

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Association of anoikis with epithelial mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells

Jiang Xue-mei1, Tao Cai-yun1, Wan Shu-fang2   

  1. 1Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang  443002, Hubei Province, China
    2People’s Hospital of Xingshan County, Yichang  443002, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2011-07-28 Revised:2011-08-26 Online:2011-10-01 Published:2011-10-01
  • About author:Jiang Xue-mei★, Master, Lecturer, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei Province, China jxm9981@sina.com

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Epithelial originated epithelial cancer stem cells (eCSCs) may undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) leading to the production of CSCs with mesenchymal features (mCSCs) that have been associated with anoikis resistance and the onset of metastatic diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To review the biological feature of CSCs and their relationship between CSCs and EMT, anoikis.
METHODS: The first author retrieved PubMed database and Wanfang database (1990-01/2010-12) for publications of cancer stem cells research with the key words of “epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs)”.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The induction of transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state has been implicated in enhanced migration and metastatic spread of tumor cells and may contribute to apoptosis and anoikis resistance. CSCs normally have characteristics associated with mesenchymal cells and also play a critical role in tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Strategies aiming at efficiently targeting CSCs are critical for monitoring the progress of cancer treatment and for evaluating new therapeutic agents. EMT may provide useful information to uncover the roles of these EMT regulators in generating and maintaining CSCs in tumorigenesis and metastasis and offer new avenues of therapeutic intervention with the potential to go beyond traditional anticancer approaches.

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