Cancer Stem Cells and Signaling Pathways explores the mechanism of cancer stem cell signaling pathways in cancer advancement, serving as an ideal reference guide for investigators with valuable answers to problems associated with anti-cancer treatments and an understanding of the crosstalk among the signaling pathways in CSC regulation. Despite recent advances in tumor therapy and a greater understanding of their biology, tumors continue to be a prevalent and fatal worldwide. According to a novel paradigm in tumor biology, a small percentage of the cells within a tumor known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) are predicted as a crucial population for tumor progression. - Presents cancer stem characteristics and their signaling pathways - Highlights the use of animal models for cancer research, the use of genetically modified stem cells to deliver antitumor agents, and the significance of stem cell signaling in drug discovery - Covers basic and translational research appropriate for scientists and clinicians exploring alternative treatments for various cancers

This book entitled “Cancer Stem Cell Markers and Related Network Path-ways” is about cancer stem cell (CSC) markers and the molecular network pathways. CSCs play an important role in the cancer drug resistance, metastasis and recurrence. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely related to CSC phenotype. This book covers various aspects of the molecular networks related to CSCs including the important phenotypic change such as EMT. Readers will discover the importance of the identification of CSC markers and EMT-related molecules in CSC network pathways. The CSC signaling pathways and EMT molecular network pathways attract researchers in the field to define the cancer therapeutic targets. Cancer environment is important in the acquisition of CSC phenotype in cells. The revealing of this CSC mystery is across 7 chapters. The topic of this book is particularly relevant to research in the field of cancer and stem cells, as well as the network pathways. We hope that this book helps the readers to be interested in understanding why the CSC concept is important and attractive.

Cancer Stem Cells Theories and Practice does not 'boldly go where no one has gone before!' Rather, Cancer Stem Cells Theories and Practice boldly goes where the cutting edge of research theory meets the concrete challenges of clinical practice. Cancer Stem Cells Theories and Practice is firmly grounded in the latest results on cancer stem cells (CSCs) from world-class cancer research laboratories, but its twenty-two chapters also tease apart cancer's vulnerabilities and identify opportunities for early detection, targeted therapy, and reducing remission and resistance.

The main objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive review on stem cells and their role in tissue regeneration, homeostasis and therapy. In addition, the role of cancer stem cells in cancer initiation, progression and drug resistance are discussed. The cell signaling pathways and microRNA regulating stem cell self-renewal, tissue homeostasis and drug resistance are also mentioned. Overall, these reviews will provide a new understanding of the influence of stem cells in tissue regeneration, disease regulation, therapy and drug resistance in several human diseases.

In recent years, cancer stem cells have been recognized as important component in carcinogenesis and they seem to form the basis of many (if not all) tumor types. Cancer stem cells or "cancer cell like stem cells" have been isolated from various cancers of different origin (blood, breast, brain, skin, head and neck, thyroid, cervix, lung, retina, colon, pancreas and so on). Cancer stem cells - rare cells with indefinite proliferative potential that drive the formation and growth of tumours- seem to show intriguing relationships with physiological stem cells. Specifically, these cancer cells show significant similarities in the mechanisms that regulate self-renewal of normal stem cells. Moreover, tumour cells might directly arise from normal stem cells. Further, the cellular biology of cancer stem cells show a lot of similarities with normal stem cells.

The “cancer stem cell” hypothesis postulates that cancer arises from a subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs). While the idea of cancer stem cells has been around for more than a hundred years, evidence from the fields of hematology and cancer biology has now demonstrated the critical role of stem cells in hematological malignancies and suggested that these same mechanisms are also central to the initiation, progression, and treatment of solid cancers. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that CSCs exhibit many classical properties of normal stem cells, including a high self-renewal capacity and the ability to generate heterogeneous lineages; the requirement for a specific “niche”/microenvironment to grow; and an increased capacity for self-protection against harsh environments, toxins, and drugs. Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors represents a detailed overview of cancer stem cells and their role in solid cancers. Comprised of 24 chapters, this volume will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of this important and evolving field. Topics covered include: Introduction of the CSC hypothesis Historical perspectives and the contributing lessons from leukemia Current knowledge regarding the identification and role of CSCs in various forms of solid cancer including breast, brain, colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma, lung, ovarian, hepatocellular, and head and neck cancer Molecular pathways involved in driving CSC function, with a particular focus on the novel convergence of embryonic and tumorigenic signaling pathways In vitro and in vivo assays, model systems, and imaging modalities for studying CSCs The clinical importance of CSCs for cancer management and treatment, including important implications for prognosis, prediction, and treatment resistance Consideration of the controversy surrounding the CSC hypothesis and important unanswered questions in this field This collective work was written by a group of prominent international experts in cancer biology, oncology, and/or stem cell biology. It will serve as a valuable resource for established researchers, professors, health care professionals, and students in the medical and scientific community who are investigating stem cells and/or oncology.