Cutaneous cancer stem cells: beta-catenin strikes again

Cell Stem Cell. 2008 May 8;2(5):406-8. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2008.04.011.

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that retain properties of tissue-specific stem cells, including the ability to self-renew. In a recent article in Nature, Malanchi et al. (2008) identified a population of CD34(+) cells in epidermal tumors that require beta-catenin signaling to maintain a CSC phenotype.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Hair Follicle / pathology
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Keratinocytes / physiology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Tumor Stem Cell Assay
  • beta Catenin / physiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • beta Catenin