Cancer Stem Cells and Cancer Therapy

This book explores the importance of cancer stem cells and their usage. Cancer is a serious health issue that affects people all over the world. Numerous studies back up the theory that stem cells play a role in cancer development. The population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibits tumorigenic potential and possesses stem cell-specific markers and characteristics, such as self-renewal/proliferation and differentiation. Carcinogenesis may be significantly influenced by CSCs. Currently, treatment techniques concentrate on eliminating the CSC subpopulation using various methods, such as bypassing CSC resistance mechanisms or focussing on important biochemical pathways that govern these cells. New approaches are still required even though the negative effects of current treatment approaches are minimal.

The information that has been gathered on the stem cell theory of carcinogenesis, the impact of dysregulated stem cell self-renewal on cancer transformation, and the functions of CSCs in cancer treatment are presented in this book. We also discuss how a deeper comprehension of the biology, behaviour, and environment of CSCs can advance the use of these cells in cancer therapy and lead to the development of more potent cancer treatment plans.

Given its scope, Cancer Stem Cells and Cancer Therapy is an indispensable resource not only for researchers working in the field of human biology and cancer research but also for advanced students seeking an introduction to cancer stem cells and their therapeutic usage.

Rasime Kalkan is a Professor of Medical Genetics at the European University of Lefke. Professor Rasime Kalkan completed her PhD in the Department of Medical Genetics at the Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Turkey. She worked as a Department of Medical Genetics member at the Near East University between November 2011 and June 2022. She worked as the Chair of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Arts and Sciences Faculty at Near East University (2020–2022). She has been a member of the Turkish Medical Genetics Association since 2006 and a member of the Turkish Cypriot Association of Human Genetics board since 2022. She worked on genetic and epigenetic alterations in brain tumours, especially in glioblastoma, during her PhD. She has edited books, published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, and authored several chapters for various national and international books. She took part as project coordinator and assistant investigator in many research projects. Her research is focused on the identification of epigenetic and genetic alterations in cancer, obesity, and post-menopausal term.