| Summary: | Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is known to be the most malignant
cancer type amongst other oral cancers with increasing incidence and mortality
rates in the past five years. Since the life expectancy for TSCC patients is
limited and the current chemo-radiotherapy treatments are not curative, novel
biomarkers are urgently needed. As many other solid tumors, TSCC has a heterogeneous
cancer cell population, which includes a small subpopulation identified as
cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are considered as the driving force for tumor
initiation, development, spread, recurrence, and resistance to
chemo-radiotherapy. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of how CSCs
are involved in the carcinogenesis are not completely understood, scientists
and clinicians aim to utilize those cells as therapeutic tools in fight against
different cancer types including TSCC. Here, we reviewed and summarized
important findings and the most current literature to shed light on the
potential of cancer stem cells markers in TSCC. Possible functions of CSCs
biomarkers in TSCC pathogenesis during cancer initiation, progression, invasion
or metastasis are also summarized.
|
|---|