Targeted molecular ablation of cancer stem cells for curing gastrointestinal cancers

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Abundance of the ATPase-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and deranged self-renewal pathways characterize the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in gastrointestinal cancers (GI cancers), which play crucial roles in tumorigenesis, chemotherapy resistance, tumor recurrence, and cancer metastasis. Therefore, in order to ensure high cure rates, chemoquiescence, CSCs should be ablated. Recent advances in either understanding CSCs or biomarker identification enable scientists to develop techniques for ablating CSCs and clinicians to provide cancer cure, especially in GI cancers characterized by inflammation-driven carcinogenesis.Areas covered: A novel approach to ablate CSCs in GI cancers, including esophageal, gastric, and colon cancers, is introduced along with explored underlying molecular mechanisms.Expert commentary: Though CSC ablation is still in the empirical stages and not in clinical practice, several strategies for ablating CSCs in GI cancers had been published, proton-pump ...