Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Their Niche: Current Therapeutic Implications and Challenges in Pancreatic Cancer

Figure 1

The origin of pancreatic CSC hypothesis. Normal stem cells give rise to progenitor cells that proliferate and differentiate into various types of mature cells, including α-cells, β-cells, acinar cells, and ductal cells. Pancreatic CSCs may originate from the transformation of normal stem cells or progenitor cells through the accumulation of mutations. On the other hand, under certain conditions, pancreatic ductal cells and acinar cells may acquire genetic alterations and dedifferentiate into pancreatic CSCs. Pancreatic CSCs have the ability of self-renewal and differentiation. Finally, pancreatic CSCs and their differentiated progeny contribute to tumor heterogeneity.