Progress in isolation and enrichment of cancer stem cells

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a group of cells with capacity of self renewal and can proliferate into a heterogeneous bulk with cancer progeny population. This is the exactly primary reason for metastasis and recurrence of tumors. Strategies for studying cancer’s targeted therapy and biological property mainly include its isolation and enrichment. In the coming era it will also be the focus of significant value. We will summarize the current strategies used for isolation and enrichment of CSC, including serum-free suspension culture, feeder cell layers, immunoselection based on cell surface markers, side population cells, resistance to radiation treatment and chemotherapy, combined utilization of various strategies and a three dimension (3D) in vitro model in this review.