Stem cells and cancer stem cells: The Jekyll and Hyde Scenario and their implications in stem cell therapy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2021
Abstract
``Jekyll and Hyde'' refers to persons with an unpredictably dual personality, who are battling between good and evil within themselves In this regard, even cells consist of good and evil counterparts. Normal stem cells (NSCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are two types of cells that share some similar characteristics but have distinct functions that play a major role in physiological and pathophysiological development. In reality, NSCs such as the adult and embryonic stem cells, are the good cells and the ultimate treatment used in cell therapy. CSCs are the corrupted cells that are a subpopulation of cancer cells within the cancer microenvironment that grow into a massive tumour or malignancy that needs to be treated. Hence, understanding the connection between NSCs and CSCs is important not just in cancer development but also in their therapeutic implication, which is the focus of this review.
Keywords
Stem cells, Stem cell therapy, Cancer stem cells, Cancer cell, Biosafety, Bioefficacy
Divisions
fac_eng
Funders
Universiti Malaya Research University (RU) Grant-Faculty Program (Faculty of Engineering) (GPF039A-2019)
Publication Title
Biomedicines
Volume
9
Issue
9
Publisher
MDPI
Publisher Location
ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND