Colon Cancer

The conventional stochastic model suggests that tumors are comprised of cells with equal propensity to form new tumors. The novel theory that focused on tumor origin and progression makes us consider cancer as a stem cell disease. Increasing evidence suggests that colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) are actively involved in initiation, progression, and sustaining of colon cancer. Dysregulation of colon stem cells and colonic crypt as a result of disrupted cell cycle and/or proliferation leads to malignancy in humans. Identification of CSCs’ origin remains a challenging task in human colon cancer. However, experimental animal models have shown promising results. Recent studies focused on interaction of colon cancer CSCs with the cellular microenvironment, including tumor initiation and at metastatic deposit sites. These approaches may provide an ...