A Short Communication on Metastatic Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract

Md. Takdir Hossain

Metastatic cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is increasingly associated with a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells exhibit self-renewal capacity, tumor initiation potential, and the ability to generate intratumoral heterogeneity. Emerging evidence suggests that metastatic dissemination and colonization may be driven by CSCs capable of surviving systemic spread and adapting to distant microenvironments. Although the CSC model provides a useful framework for explaining tumor recurrence and therapeutic resistance, its universality across cancer types remains debated. Key signaling pathways, including WNT/β-catenin, NOTCH, Hedgehog, BMI1, and EZH2, are implicated in CSC maintenance and metastatic behavior. In addition, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and pre-metastatic niche formation further support the link between stemness and metastasis. Collectively, these findings suggest that CSCs play a critical role in tumor progression and represent promising therapeutic targets for preventing metastasis and improving cancer outcomes.

PDF