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A Concept of Cancer Stem Cells: Entity and Theories

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Bioengineering and Cancer Stem Cell Concept

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Abstract

Through the identification of various research outcomes, it has become clear that two primary objectives lie ahead for the promulgation of the role of cancer stem cells in future treatment modalities: (1) identification of protein surface markers/biomarkers on the surface or inside of these cells that uniquely identify them against normal cells in human tissue that thereby allow the development of therapeutic interventions based on selective targeting of cancer stem cells, and (2) characterization of cancer stem cells in their ability to adapt to current forms of treatment so as to limit the proliferation of more resistant and dangerous forms of previous cancers through the identification of mutational “hot spots” in the aforementioned cancer stem-cell markers. Through analysis of multiple research articles in the field over a range of several years, we assess the current understanding of the cancer stem-cell concept due to controversies and doubts linked to cancer stem-cell entities in order to research and develop areas of opportunity for novel and creative targeted cancer therapy, including those new treatment options already in place in the clinical setting.

If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.

Albert Einstein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Mirjana Pavlovic

  2. Military Medical Academy Institute for Hematology and Transfusiology, Belgrade, Serbia

    Bela Balint

Authors
  1. Mirjana Pavlovic
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  2. Bela Balint
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Pavlovic, M., Balint, B. (2015). A Concept of Cancer Stem Cells: Entity and Theories. In: Bioengineering and Cancer Stem Cell Concept. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25670-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25670-2_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-25668-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-25670-2

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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