Overcoming Treatment Resistance and Cancer Stem Cells

The field of cancer research has identified the persistence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and treatment resistance as critical obstacles in achieving durable responses to therapy. Conventional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies, often induce temporary remissions; however, a considerable proportion of tumors relapse, driven by a subpopulation of CSCs that possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. These cells are thought to be intrinsically resistant to standard treatments due to their unique molecular and cellular properties, giving rise to recurring, more aggressive malignancies. Despite advances in understanding cancer biology, the underlying mechanisms of CSC-mediated resistance and their interaction with the tumor microenvironment remain incompletely understood. Prominent studies have highlighted diverse resistance mechanisms, including drug efflux, metabolic adaptation, epigenetic plasticity, and enhanced DNA repair, but effective solutions to eradicate these cells are still lacking. This persistent challenge necessitates better insights and innovative approaches to surmount CSC-fueled resistance for long-term patient benefit.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of how cancer stem cells contribute to treatment resistance and to develop novel strategies to target these cells effectively. The objective is to explore the biological processes and signaling pathways that render CSCs resistant, as well as to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities that could be exploited to enhance treatment efficacy. The collection invites investigations ranging from mechanistic studies to translational and clinical efforts, with specific interest in new therapeutic compounds, combination therapies, biomarkers for resistance prediction, and methods to disrupt CSC maintenance or survival.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses basic, preclinical, and clinical research focused on overcoming treatment resistance associated with cancer stem cells. Studies that address the intersection of CSC biology and therapeutic development will be prioritized, while unrelated general oncology topics will not be considered. To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Mechanisms underlying cancer stem cell-mediated resistance to current therapies• Signaling pathways and cellular networks sustaining CSC survival and propagation• Novel therapeutic agents or drug combinations targeting CSC populations• Predictive biomarkers of resistance and treatment response• Interactions between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment contributing to resistance• Strategies for sensitizing CSCs to existing or emergent therapies• Clinical trials and translational studies focused on targeting CSCs to improve patient outcomes Topic editors: Hisashi Harada, Ali-Farid Safi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79584/overcoming-treatment-resistance-and-cancer-stem-cells