Abstract
The model of cancer stem cells in tumor development states that tumors contain a subset of cells that both self renew and give rise to differentiated progeny. Like normal adult tissue stem cells, cancer stem cells are a minority of the whole tumor and are the only cells that are able to maintain tumor growth indefinitely. In the present review is critically discussed the actually existence of a cancer stem cell subpopulation in melanoma. The self-renewal signaling pathways as well as specific markers like as CD133, ABCB5 and ABCG2 recently identified in putative melanoma cancer stem cells are also discussed.
MeSH terms
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AC133 Antigen
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / biosynthesis
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / biosynthesis
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Animals
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Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
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Cell Differentiation
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Disease Progression
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
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Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
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Humans
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Melanoma / physiopathology
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Melanoma / therapy*
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Mice
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Models, Biological
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Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / cytology*
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Peptides
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Signal Transduction
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Skin Neoplasms / physiopathology
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Skin Neoplasms / therapy
Substances
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ABCB5 protein, human
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ABCG2 protein, human
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AC133 Antigen
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
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Antigens, CD
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Glycoproteins
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Neoplasm Proteins
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PROM1 protein, human
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Peptides
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Prom1 protein, mouse