Title:Mitochondria in Cancer Stem Cells: A Target for Therapy
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Author(s): Rute Loureiro, Katia A. Mesquita, Paulo J. Oliveira and Ignacio Vega-Naredo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cancer stem cells, chemotherapy, mitochondria, cell death, apoptosis
Abstract: Complete knowledge about the evolution of the carcinogenic process has to include cancer stem cells (CSCs),
which are essential to understand tumor occurrence, recurrence, and also its reduction rate after radio- and/or chemotherapeutic
treatments. Understanding CSCs physiology and metabolism may be crucial for the development of novel effective
therapies. Therefore, being mitochondria an undeniable target for cancer therapy and a central hub in metabolism and cell
and death decisions, it is essential to take this organelle into account and explore its actions and involvements in the context
of CSCs physiology. In this review, we focus on recent patents and discoveries about mitochondrial bioenergetics and
physiology of CSCs. A full understanding of the role of mitochondrial activity in CSCs and the creation of new strategies,
methods and discoveries to support actual treatments with novel ones are of pivotal importance in order to ultimately
eradicate cancer.
