The Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Ovarian Cancer
1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynaecology and Gynaecology, Medical University in Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cancers 2024, 16(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16010040
Submission received: 18 October 2023
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Revised: 15 December 2023
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Accepted: 17 December 2023
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Published: 20 December 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Microenvironment)
Simple Summary
This manuscript focuses on cancer stem cells and the diagnostic potential of selected biomarkers of these cells in ovarian cancers. Ovarian cancer has nonspecific clinical symptoms. Also, there are no reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. For these reasons, nearly 70% of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the metastatic stage. The role of CSCs in ovarian cancer initiation and progression and their impact on resistance to therapy are still the subjects of many studies; however, the results are sometimes conflicting due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs. The identification of CSC phenotypes could contribute to the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in ovarian cancer. This is especially important since strategies to overcome resistance to conventional treatments and prolong patient survival are highly awaited.
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and the eighth most common female cancer. The early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains a clinical problem despite the significant development of technology. Nearly 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with stages III–IV metastatic disease. Reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are currently lacking. Ovarian cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy pose vital problems and translate into poor outcomes. Cancer stem cells appear to be responsible for tumour recurrence resulting from chemotherapeutic resistance. These cells are also crucial for tumour initiation due to the ability to self-renew, differentiate, avoid immune destruction, and promote inflammation and angiogenesis. Studies have confirmed an association between CSC occurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, subsequent metastases, and cancer relapses. Therefore, the elimination of CSCs appears important for overcoming drug resistance and improving prognoses. This review focuses on the expression of selected ovarian CSC markers, including CD133, CD44, CD24, CD117, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, which show potential prognostic significance. Some markers expressed on the surface of CSCs correlate with clinical features and can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. However, due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, the determination of specific CSC phenotypes is difficult.
Keywords:
cancer stem cells; ovarian cancer; markers; CD44; CD133; ALDH1; CD117; CD24
