Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) account for tumor initiation, invasiveness, metastasis, and recurrence in a broad range of human cancers. Although being a key player in cancer development and progression by stimulating proliferation and metastasis and preventing apoptosis, the role of the transcription factor NF-κB in cancer stem cells is still underestimated. In the present review, we will evaluate the role of NF-κB in CSCs of glioblastoma multiforme, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, as well as cancer of the bone. Next to summarizing current knowledge regarding the presence and contribution of CSCs to the respective types of cancer, we will emphasize NF-κB-mediated signaling pathways directly involved in maintaining characteristics of cancer stem cells associated to tumor progression. Here, we will also focus on the status of NF-κB-activity predominantly in CSC populations and the tumor mass. Genetic alterations leading to NF-κB activity in glioblastoma, ependymoma, and multiple myeloma will be discussed.
Highlights
Cancer stem cells, called neoplastic stem cells or cancer initiating cells, were discovered by transplantation in immunocompromised mice
We suggest that further studies should be undertaken to carefully decipher the specific roles of NF-κB subunits in cancer stem cells
We recently developed tools for specific genetic engineering of NF-κB in tumor cells [160,161], which may be applied for cancer stem cells in future studies
Summary
Christian Kaltschmidt 1, *,† , Constanze Banz-Jansen 2,† , Tahar Benhidjeb 3,† , Morris Beshay 4,† , Christine Förster 5,† , Johannes Greiner 1,† , Eckard Hamelmann 6,† , Norbert Jorch 6,† , Fritz Mertzlufft 7,† , Jesco Pfitzenmaier 8,† , Matthias Simon 9,† , Jan Schulte am Esch 3,† , Thomas Vordemvenne 10,† , Dirk Wähnert 10,† , Florian Weissinger 11,† , Ludwig Wilkens 5,† and Barbara Kaltschmidt 1,12,†.
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