J Thorac Oncol. 2014 Jan;9(1):7-17. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0000000000000028.

Lung cancer stem cell: fancy conceptual model of tumor biology or cornerstone of a forthcoming therapeutic breakthrough?

Sourisseau T, Hassan KA, Wistuba I, Penault-Llorca F, Adam J, Deutsch E, Soria JC.

Author information

• *Inserm Unit 981, DHU TORINO, Gustave Roussy and University, Paris Sud, France; †Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; ‡Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; §Département de Pathologie et de Biopathologie, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France; and EA 4766, ERTICa, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; and ‖Inserm Unit 1030, DHU TORINO, Gustave Roussy and University Paris Sud, France.

Abstract

Cancer research has received a fresh impetus from the concept of cancer stem cell (CSC) which postulates the existence of a tumor cell population uniquely endowed with self-renewal capacity and therapy resistance. Despite recent progresses including targeted therapy, lung cancer treatment remains a challenge owing largely to disease recurrence. Providing a conceptual model of tumor resistance and disease relapse, the lung CSC has received extensive attention, leading to a flourishing literature and several ongoing clinical trials. In this study, we will discuss the data suggesting the existence of CSC in lung tumors and the potential clinical utility of CSCs as prognostic markers or cellular targets of new therapeutic strategies. We will also touch on the new fundamental developments of the CSC concept that ought to be considered if the integration of the CSC concept into clinical practice is to be successful and impact on lung cancer treatment.