Targeting signaling pathways in cancer stem cells: A potential approach for developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics

One of the most difficult and deadly diseases that humanity currently faces is cancer. It is a broad and varied collection of diseases characterized by aberrant cell growth and proliferation. Millions of new instances and deaths from cancer are reported each year, despite substantial advancements in our understanding of its biology and the emergence of numerous therapeutic strategies. The complexity of cancer necessitates a greater investigation of its underlying mechanisms and the creation of cutting-edge tactics to properly treat this illness (Sung et al., 2021). The incidence of cancer has consistently increased over time, ranking among the world’s top causes of illness and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that cancer caused 9.6 million deaths worldwide in 2018. A rise in the worldwide load is anticipated because of ageing, population expansion, and lifestyle modifications. Regional differences in incidence rates are a result of things like genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and medical infrastructure (Sung et al., 2021). Cancer incidence varies geographically, with specific cancers being more common areas due to a variety of risk factors. For instance, lung cancer has a greater frequency in nations with higher smoking rates since it is intimately linked to tobacco use (de Groot, Wu, Carter, & Munden, 2018). Hepatocellular carcinoma, on the other hand, is more prevalent in regions with high prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections. Variations in cancer incidence are also influenced by socioeconomic variables, access to healthcare, and environmental exposures (Siegel, Miller, Fuchs, & Jemal, 2021). Both the incidence and the forms of cancer show gender and age disparities. Males and females are more likely to get prostate and breast cancers, respectively, whereas younger populations are more likely to develop certain cancers, such as childhood leukemia (Feng et al., 2018). As societies get older, the prevalence of malignancies linked to being older, such colorectal and lung cancer, rises (Dorak & Karpuzoglu, 2012). The development of cancer is influenced by a number of risk factors, both changeable and not. The majority of cancer cases are caused by lifestyle factors such excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, use of nicotine and alcohol, and bad eating habits. Environmental elements, such as occupational exposure to carcinogens or environmental contaminants, can also have an impact. Additionally, family history, inherited mutations, and genetic predisposition might increase susceptibility to some malignancies, highlighting the interaction between genes and environment (Zhang et al., 2020). The development of screening techniques to find tumors at an early stage, when they are more curable, has been sparked by efforts to lessen the effects of cancer. Successful screening techniques include colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, Pap tests for cervical cancer, and mammography for breast cancer. These techniques have improved outcomes via early identification and intervention. This chapter covers detailing the traits of cancer stem cells, highlighting the significance of signaling pathways in cancer stem cell biology, and emphasizing their potential as prime targets for developing innovative chemotherapeutics.

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