Melanoma
Cancer Stem Cells in Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are found in many cancer types, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). CSCs initiate cancer formation and are linked to metastasis and resistance to therapies. Studies have revealed that several distinct CSC populations coexist in SCC and that tumor initiation and metastatic potential of these populations can be uncoupled. Therefore, it is critical to understand CSC biology to develop novel CSC-targeted therapies for patients with SCC with poor prognoses. This review compares the properties of CSCs in SCC with normal stem cells in the skin, summarizes current advances and characteristics of CSCs, and considers the challenges for CSC-targeted treatment of SCC.The Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype: Critical Effector in Skin Cancer and Aging
Cellular senescence, a state of stable cell cycle arrest in response to cellular stress, is an indispensable mechanism to counter tumorigenesis by halting the proliferation of damaged cells. However, through the secretion of an array of diverse cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteases known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), senescent cells can paradoxically promote carcinogenesis. Consistent with this, removal of senescent cells delays the onset of cancer and prolongs lifespan in vivo, potentially in part through SASP reduction.
