Abstract
Simple SummaryOvarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease, often diagnosed at a late stage. Difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and recurrence. Responsible for the malignant features of cancer are considered to be cancer stem cells (CSCs), which generate new cells by modifying various signaling pathways. Signaling pathways are crucial for the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and self-renewal of CSCs. New therapies based on the use of inhibitors that block CSC growth and proliferation signals are being investigated. The current histological classification of ovarian tumors, their epidemiology, and the recent knowledge of ovarian CSCs, with particular emphasis on their molecular basis, are important considerations.Despite the increasing development of medicine, ovarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage. In addition, difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and frequent relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), recently attracting significant scientific interest, are considered to be responsible for the malignant features of tumors. CSCs, as the driving force behind tumor development, generate new cells by modifying different signaling pathways. Moreover, investigations on different types of tumors have shown that signaling pathways are key to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulation, metastasis, and self-renewal of CSCs. Based on these established issues, new therapies are being investigated based on the use of inhibitors to block CSC growth and proliferation signals. Many reports indicate that CSC markers play a key role in cancer metastasis, with hopes placed in their targeting to block this process and eliminate relapses. Current histological classification of ovarian tumors, their epidemiology, and the most recent knowledge of ovarian CSCs, with particular emphasis on their molecular background, are important aspects for consideration. Furthermore, the importance of signaling pathways involved in tumor growth, development, and metastasis, is also presented.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer incidence and mortality rates have not significantly changed over the last three decades
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the difficulty of treatment of ovarian cancer, as resistant cells tend to persist after chemotherapy, potentially causing tumor recurrence
The studies mentioned above show that the presence of CSCs markers on ovarian cancer cells was usually associated with higher malignancy and risk of relapse and resistance to treatment, which was associated with a poorer prognosis for the patient
Summary
Ovarian cancer incidence and mortality rates have not significantly changed over the last three decades. The ovary is an organ with a significant number of cells of different origins Advanced processes concerning both folliculogenesis and oogenesis, as well as the production of sex hormones, require cooperation of many cell types. Predisposing factors for ovarian cancer include non-Hispanic ethnic group [3] patients’ age over 40 years (with the exception of germ cell tumors, which are more frequently diagnosed in young women [3,6]). Studies on the molecular characteristics of CSCs and their signaling pathways lead to the hypothesis that they are closely associated with disease relapse and treatment resistance It seems obvious, that a focused therapy aimed at ovarian CSCs could become a milestone in oncological medicine. Before a new treatment can be introduced, specific and precise molecular-based diagnostics should be established
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