Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells as New Targets for Diagnostics and Therapy

According to the cancer progression model, multiple events are required for progression from normal epithelium to carcinoma. Due to their extended life span, stem cells represent the most likely target for the accumulation of these genetic events; however, this has not been proven for most solid cancers. Clinically, cancer stem cells (CSCs) seem to harbor mechanisms protecting them from standard cytotoxic therapy; this was recently demonstrated for pancreatic CSCs. Therefore, novel approaches targeting CSC-intrinsic and CSC-extrinsic properties might overcome these resistance mechanisms. To improve our understanding of in vivo CSC biology, novel imaging modalities in conjunction with the most clinically relevant CSC models need to be developed. Here, multimodal magnetic nanoparticles, due to their potential on CSC tracking, targeting and elimination, might help to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms of CSCs and develop platforms for targeted theragnostics. Eventually, these studies should allow improvement of the prognosis of patients suffering from these deadly diseases. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel