Over the past decade, the identification of stem-like cells as drivers of tumor initiation, recurrence, and metastasis spread in a variety of human cancers had a tremendous impact in basic and translational cancer research. Advances in this field point to a more complex model of tumor development than previously envisioned, in which the stem-like phenotype may be dynamically acquired by cancer cells. Understanding how cancer stem cells affect tumor heterogeneity, the contribution of resident stem and progenitor cells to the tumor niche, and the search for true cancer stem cell markers are other examples of scientific challenges in this fast-growing research area. The interplay between stem cell and tumor biology offers an exceptional opportunity to advance our knowledge about cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with potential impacts in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

We invite investigators to submit original research as well as review articles addressing recent advancements in our understanding of stem cells in cancer. Basic, clinical, and applied studies are welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Stemness in cancer cells
• Stem cells and the tumor niche
• Cancer stem cell population dynamics
• Genetic/epigenetic changes underlying the cancer stem cell phenotype
• Cancer stem cell genomics
• Strategies for cancer stem cell identification
• Cancer stem cell therapeutic targeting
• Cancer stem cells and disease progression
• Cancer stem cells in diagnosis and prognosis