Cancer Stem Cell Definition & Meaning | Health Care Term | CSIMarket
CSI Market
Sign In | Register

Glossary

Cancer Stem Cell

Health Care Term

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of cells within tumors that have the capacity to self-renew and give rise to heterogeneous tumor cell populations. These cells are thought to be one of the key drivers of tumor progression, metastasis, and recurrence. CSCs have been identified in a variety of solid and hematological malignancies, including breast, brain, colon, lung, and leukemia.

In recent years, the study of CSCs has gained significant attention in the healthcare industry due to their importance in cancer treatment. CSCs are thought to be resistant to conventional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and may be responsible for treatment failure and disease recurrence. Therefore, understanding the biology of CSCs and developing targeted therapies against these cells has become an important area of research.

Several strategies are currently being pursued in the development of CSC-targeted therapies. These include the use of small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and cell-based therapies. For example, small molecule inhibitors targeting key signaling pathways that are critical for CSC growth and self-renewal, such as the Wnt/β-catenin and Notch pathways, are being developed. Monoclonal antibodies targeting specific surface markers on CSCs have also been developed and are being tested in preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, cell-based therapies using immune cells or stem cells modified to target CSCs are being explored.

Overall, the study of CSCs has the potential to lead to the development of innovative and effective treatments for patients with cancer. By targeting the cells that are responsible for tumor growth and recurrence, it may be possible to improve outcomes and prolong survival for patients with cancer.


More Glossary Terms Beginning with C
  • Calcined
    To be heated to a high temperature, but below the melting or fusing point, causing loss of moisture, reduction or oxidation or thermal decomposition (a chemical reaction where a single compound breaks up into two or more simpler compounds or elements when heated).
    Manufacturing Term Letter: C
  • Call Option
    An option that provides the right, but not the obligation, to buy an underlying futures contract at a specified strike price for a specified time.
    Financial Term Letter: C
  • Cancer
    A disease characterized by loss or enhancement of one or more mechanisms that regulate the growth of cells of a specific tissue. Loss of these control mechanisms or gain of abnormal mechanisms in a single cell that put cell growth into overdrive allows that cell to grow, invade local tissue, and to spread to other regions of the body. This spreading of altered cells to distant sites is the process
    Health Care Term Letter: C
  • Cancer Stem Cell
    cancer cells (found within tumors or hematological cancers) that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells, specifically the ability to give rise to all cell types found in a particular cancer sample.
    Health Care Term Letter: C
  • Capacity Insurance
    The percentage of surplus, or the dollar amount of exposure, that an insurer or reinsurer is willing or able to place at risk. Capacity may apply to a single risk, a program, a line of business or an entire book of business. Capacity may be constrained by legal restrictions, corporate restrictions or indirect restrictions.
    Insurance Term Letter: C
  • Capacity Oil and Gas Operations Industry
    Capacity is defined as the throughput a process unit is capable of sustaining, either on a calendar or stream day basis. The throughput may be expressed in terms of maximum sustainable, nameplate or economic capacity. The maximum sustainable or nameplate capacities may not be the most economical. The economic capacity is the throughput that generally provides the greatest economic benefit based on
    Energy Term Letter: C
  • Capital Asset Pricing Model
    Generates an appropriate discount rate using internal and external inputs to value future cash flows based on the time value of money and the price for bearing uncertainty inherent in an investment.
    Financial Term Letter: C
  • Capital Gain or Capital Loss
    the difference between the amount paid for an investment and its value at a later time. If the investment has been sold, the capital gain or loss is considered a realized gain or loss. If the investment is still held, the gain or loss is still "on paper" and is considered unrealized.
    Financial Term Letter: C
  • Capital Ratios
    Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient capital to absorb on and off-balance sheet losses beyond current loss accrual estimates.
    Financial Term Letter: C
  • Captive
    A closely-held insurance company whose primary purpose is to provide insurance coverage to the companys owners or their affiliates.
    Insurance Term Letter: C
  • Car Miles per Car Day
    The total car-miles for a period divided by the total number of active cars. Total car-miles includes the distance travelled by every car on a revenue-producing train and a train used in or around our yards. Railroads Industry
    Transportation Term Letter: C
  • Carcinomas
    A type of cancer that arises from the lining cells of the body, called epithelial cells. Epithelial cells form the outer layer of the skin, and the membranes lining the digestive tract, bladder and uterus, as well as the tubes and ducts that run through the bodys organs.
    Health Care Term Letter: C