Cancer Stem Cells in Lung Cancer, a Novel Frontier

Abstract

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, exhibits one of the lowest 5-year survival rate, primarily due to its late-stage diagnosis.It is categorized into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC),with NSCLC further subdivided into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. NSCLC is the most common lung cancer, accounting for 85% of all cases.Treatment approaches vary based on cancer subtype and stage, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.Despite advancements in therapy, lung cancer patients often experience high recurrence rates, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Lung stem cells (SCs), possessing self-renewal and proliferation capabilities, are resistant to conventional treatments, potentially contributing to cancer development and progression. Their presence in the lung tissue could be the reason why lung cancer is difficult to treat.The signaling pathways and specific biomarkers of lung stem cells are currently under investigation due to their significance in the development of new therapeutic agents targeting these cell populations, aiming to enhance current therapies for lung cancer treatment. In this chapter, we present the current knowledge on lung stem cells, focusing on signaling pathways and their specific biomarkers, and discuss their role in lung tumorigenesis.