Therapeutically Targeting Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells

“Cancer stem cells” (CSCs) asymmetrically divide to drive tumorigenesis, a property that is lost upon differentiation. It is likely that elimination of CSC populations would dramatically enhance current cancer therapies. The switch between self-renewal and differentiation is controlled by several stemness signaling pathways, which have become the main targets in the development of new approaches to cancer treatment. However, stemness signaling pathways must be targeted precisely to avoid unwanted side effects in nonmalignant tissues and the acceleration of tumor growth. While CSC-targeting strategies remain in their infancy, promising data is being produced, particularly for the promotion of response by CSC targeting in otherwise refractory patients. Future CSC targeting appears set to form part of a multifaceted approach to cancer therapy, where the precise treatment provided will reflect the specific biology of individual patient disease.