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Exploiting the Convergence of Embryonic and Tumorigenic Signaling Pathways to Develop New Therapeutic Targets

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Abstract

As our understanding of embryonic stem cell biology becomes more sophisticated, the similarities between multipotent cancer cells and these totipotent precursors are increasingly striking. Both multipotent cancer cells and embryonic stem cells possess the ability to self-renew, epigenetically alter their neighboring cellular architecture, and populate a tissue mass with a phenotypically heterogeneous composition of cells. While the molecular signature of these cell types continues to be elucidated, new insights are emerging related to the convergence of embryonic and tumorigenic signaling pathways. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of these two stem cell phenotypes may lead to new therapeutic targets for the elusive cancer cell. While still in its infancy, the potential of adapting embryonic stem cells, and more specifically the factors they produce, is enormous for clinical application. Here we outline evidence that demonstrates the inductive influence of embryonic stem cells and their microenvironment to reprogram cancer cells to exhibit a more benign phenotype, with profound implications for differentiation therapy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the scientific interactions with Drs. Paul Kulesa and Jennifer Kasemeier-Kulesa at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Drs. Jolanta Topczewska and Jacek Topczewski at the Children’s Memorial Research Center, and Dr. Brian Nickoloff for his expertise in dermatopathology. This work is supported by NIH grant CA59702, an Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute grant, a Charlotte Geyer Foundation grant (MJCH), and a Canadian Institute for Health Research postdoctoral fellowship (L-MP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Daniel E. Abbott

  2. Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Children’s Memorial Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2430 N. Halsted St., Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Lynne-Marie Postovit, Elisabeth A. Seftor, Naira V. Margaryan, Richard E. B. Seftor & Mary J. C. Hendrix

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Correspondence to Mary J. C. Hendrix.

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Abbott, D.E., Postovit, LM., Seftor, E.A. et al. Exploiting the Convergence of Embryonic and Tumorigenic Signaling Pathways to Develop New Therapeutic Targets. Stem Cell Rev 3, 68–78 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-007-0010-x

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