Sox2 functions in neural cancer stem cells: the importance of the context

The Sox2 transcription factor is expressed in different neural tumors. In particular, it is active within the 'cancer stem cell' (CSC) subpopulation of tumor cells, able to reinitiate tumorigenesis after conventional chemotherapy (to which it is usually resistant). This led to hypothesize that Sox2 (and its downstream regulated genes) may qualify as promising targets for therapeutic strategies directed against CSC.