Immunologic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells

Jing Zhang; Qiao Li; Alfred E Chang

doi:10.1016/j.soc.2019.02.010

Immunologic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2019 Jul;28(3):431-445. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2019.02.010. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Authors

Jing Zhang¹, Qiao Li², Alfred E Chang³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Room 3410, 1150 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of the 2nd Thoracic Medical Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 116 Zhuodaoquan South Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, China.
² Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, 3520B MSRB-1, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
³ Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Room 3304, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 31079798
DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2019.02.010

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are crucial for tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. Immunologically targeting CSCs represents a promising strategy to improve efficacy of multimodal cancer therapy. Modulating the innate immune response involving Toll-like receptors, macrophages, natural killer cells, and γδT cells has therapeutic effects on CSCs. Antigens expressed by CSCs provide specific targets for immunotherapy. CSC-primed dendritic cell-based vaccines have induced significant antitumor immunity as an adjuvant therapy in experimental models of established tumors. Targeting the tumor microenvironment CSC niche with cytokines or checkpoint blockade provides additional strategies to eliminate CSCs.

Keywords: Cancer stem cells; Immunotherapy; Innate immune response; Tumor antigens; Vaccine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
Humans
Immunotherapy / methods*
Neoplasms / immunology
Neoplasms / therapy*
Neoplastic Stem Cells / immunology*
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*

Substances

Cancer Vaccines