Gastrointestinal cancer - only a deregulation of stem cell differentiation? (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Daniel Neureiter
    • Christoph Herold
    • Matthias Ocker
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 1, 2006     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.17.3.483
  • Pages: 483-489
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Abstract

Recent research on embryonic and adult stem cells questions the currently accepted models of multi-step carcinogenesis in solid cancer. Accordingly, differentiated epithelial cells are considered to be the main target for mutational steps, leading to a growth and survival advantage of malignantly transformed cells. In contrast, the stem cell model of carcinogenesis emphasizes the role of stem cells as the initiating structure for tumor development. Yet, it is unclear if tumors contain dysregulated (embryonic) stem cells or if tumors consist of differentiated adult cells that obtained a de-differentiated stem cell-like phenotype. Here, we review the current knowledge on the roles of stem cells in gastrointestinal cancer formation and the implication on future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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March 2006
Volume 17 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Neureiter D, Herold C and Ocker M: Gastrointestinal cancer - only a deregulation of stem cell differentiation? (Review). Int J Mol Med 17: 483-489, 2006
APA
Neureiter, D., Herold, C., & Ocker, M. (2006). Gastrointestinal cancer - only a deregulation of stem cell differentiation? (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 17, 483-489. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.17.3.483
MLA
Neureiter, D., Herold, C., Ocker, M."Gastrointestinal cancer - only a deregulation of stem cell differentiation? (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 17.3 (2006): 483-489.
Chicago
Neureiter, D., Herold, C., Ocker, M."Gastrointestinal cancer - only a deregulation of stem cell differentiation? (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 17, no. 3 (2006): 483-489. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.17.3.483