Abstract
BackgroundThe cancer stem cell model has been proposed based on the linkage between human embryonic stem cells and human cancer cells. However, the evidences supporting the cancer stem cell model remain to be collected. In this study, we extensively examined the expression of human embryonic stem cell-associated signatures including core genes, transcription factors, pathways and microRNAs in various cancers using the computational biology approach.ResultsWe used the class comparison analysis and survival analysis algorithms to identify differentially expressed genes and their associated transcription factors, pathways and microRNAs among normal vs. tumor or good prognosis vs. poor prognosis phenotypes classes based on numerous human cancer gene expression data. We found that most of the human embryonic stem cell- associated signatures were frequently identified in the analysis, suggesting a strong linkage between human embryonic stem cells and cancer cells.ConclusionsThe present study revealed the close linkage between the human embryonic stem cell associated gene expression profiles and cancer-associated gene expression profiles, and therefore offered an indirect support for the cancer stem cell theory. However, many interest issues remain to be addressed further.
Highlights
The cancer stem cell model has been proposed based on the linkage between human embryonic stem cells and human cancer cells
A cancer stem cell (CSC) is defined as “a cell within a tumor that possesses the capacity to self-renew and to cause the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor [2] “. This hypothesis suggests that a small percentage of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-like CSCs are responsible for initiating and replenishing the tumor, and the dormant CSCs may account for cancer metastasis, chemoresistance and Correspondence: xiaosheng.wang@nih.gov Biometric Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
We identified 189 key transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulation of hESC self-renewal and differentiation including three core TFs OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG with essential roles in the transcriptional control of the regulatory circuitry underlying pluripotency [43,52]
Summary
The cancer stem cell model has been proposed based on the linkage between human embryonic stem cells and human cancer cells. The development of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) is controlled by specific signatures, including specific transcription factors (TFs), pathways, microRNAs (miRNAs) and core genes. These signatures determine the self-renewal or differentiation fate of hESCs. Cancer is one of the developmental diseases. A CSC is defined as “a cell within a tumor that possesses the capacity to self-renew and to cause the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor [2] “ This hypothesis suggests that a small percentage of hESC-like CSCs are responsible for initiating and replenishing the tumor, and the dormant CSCs may account for cancer metastasis, chemoresistance and recurrence so that they become potential targets for improved cancer therapies. The CSC theory is supported by some experimental evidences, much contention exists over whether these evidences are sufficiently valid or merely are some artifacts [18,19,20,21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
