Review
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases advance online publication 22 April 2008; doi: 10.1038/pcan.2008.22
Prostate cancer stem cell therapy: hype or hope?
J R Masters1, C Kane1, H Yamamoto1 and A Ahmed1
1Department of Surgery, Prostate Cancer Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
Correspondence: Professor JR Masters, Prostate Cancer Research Centre, University College London, 67 Riding House Street, London W1W 7EJ, UK. E-mail: j.masters@ucl.ac.uk
Received 8 March 2008; Accepted 8 March 2008; Published online 22 April 2008.
Abstract
The stem cell concept of cancer suggests that each cancer contains a small fraction of stem cells responsible for the maintenance and progression of the disease. The implication of this concept is that by targeting and killing the cancer stem cells, it may be possible to improve survival or even cure the disease. Prostate cancer stem cell therapy is a valid goal to aim for, but there are massive hurdles to overcome, even if the concept is shown to be correct.
Keywords:
prostate, stem cells, therapy