Erschienen in:
01.06.2011 | Viewpoint
Heating cancer stem cells to reduce tumor relapse
verfasst von:
Pier Giuseppe Pelicci, Paola Dalton, Roberto Orecchia
Erschienen in:
Breast Cancer Research
|
Ausgabe 3/2011
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Abstract
Tumour relapse is believed to be caused by rare cancer-cells with stem-cell properties (cancer stem cells) that are intrinsically resistant to available treatments. The identification of novel strategies to increase their sensitivity has major clinical implications. Latest clinical trials have shown a positive antitumoral effect of hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In a recent paper, the combination of increased temperature at the tumour site, generated by laser treatment of intravenously-injected gold nanoshells, and ionizing radiations enhances radiosensitivity of cancer stem cells and tumor response. At the root of the success of hyperthermia in enhancing radio-sensitization of cancer stem cells is the inhibition of their capacity to repair DNA damage, affecting the survival rate of these cells.