cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs)

http://www.miltenyibiotec.com/en/NN_722_Tumor_stem_cells.aspx

Within a tumor, the majority of tumor cells have limited ability to proliferate and rather differentiate into cells that constitute the bulk of the tumor mass. Recent theories suggest that a small population of cells within some tumors possess the ability to self-renew and proliferate and are thus able to maintain the tumor. These cells, which are called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs), have been observed to share certain characteristics with normal stem cells, including a stem cell–like phenotype and function.

Certain surface markers that are associated with stem cells are also found on cancer stem cells. Human and mouse stem cell markers such as CD34, CD133,CD117, Sca-1, and other markers, such as CD44, CD24, CD20, CD105, andCD326 (EpCAM) have been found on cancer stem cells. This particular type of cell seems to be able to initiate and drive tumor growth in different hematological and solid tumors. It is critical to be able to identify and isolate these cells from tumor tissues in order to provide a clearer picture of the mechanisms governing the establishment of CSCs, their maintenance, and the molecular alteration in comparison to normal cells. An enrichment of CSCs has been observed in cell populations selected for CD133 expression from brain tumor^1–4, prostate cancer⁵, renal tumors⁶, and also recently from colon cancer^7,8 and hepatocellular carcinoma⁹.

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