An innovative theory proposes a new therapeutic strategy to break the stalemate in the war on cancer. It is called cancer stem cell (CSC) theory, and Lucie Laplane offers a comprehensive analysis, based on an original interdisciplinary approach that combines biology, biomedical history, and philosophy.
Rather than treat cancer by aggressively trying to eliminate all cancerous cellsāwith harmful side effects for patientsāCSC theory suggests the possibility of targeting the CSCs, a small fraction of cells that lie at the root of cancers. CSCs are cancer cells that also have the defining properties of stem cellsāthe abilities to self-renew and to differentiate. According to this theory, only CSCs and no other cancer cells can induce tumor formation.
To date, researchers have not agreed on the defining feature of CSCsātheir stemness. Drawing from a philosophical perspective, Laplane shows that there are four possible ways to understand this property: stemness can be categorical (an intrinsic property of stem cells), dispositional (an intrinsic property whose expression depends on external stimuli), relational (an extrinsic property determined by a cell's relationship with the microenvironment), or systemic (an extrinsic property controlled at the system level). Our ability to cure cancers may well depend upon determining how these definitions apply to different types of cancers.
- 265 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I: Cancer Stem Cells: A New Theory of Cancer
- Part II: The Historical Emergence of the CSC Concept and Its Driving Role in Cancers
- Part III: Debates on CSCs and Stem Cells: What Are They?
- Part IV: The Identity of Stemness and Its Consequences for Cancer Therapies
- Conclusion
- Notes
- References
- Acknowledgments
- Index
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Yes, you can access Cancer Stem Cells by Lucie Laplane in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Biological Sciences & Oncology. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.