MyD88 : a key regulator of chemoresistance, differentiation and hypoxia resistance in cancer stem cells?

Abstract

Ovarian cancer, the leading cause of gynaecologic cancer deaths in the western world is characterised by high rates of chemoresistant recurrence. While in primary cases, differentiation status of the tumour is considered a primary prognostic indicator, in recurrent disease this is no longer the case. Recurrent disease could be explained by the cancer stem cell theory. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a minority population of cancer cells with stem like properties including enhanced proliferation. CSCs are considered a potential source of recurrent disease.