• The role of stem cells and cancer stem cell metabolism in cancer treatment
  • Tania Ghanizadeh,1 Farzad Nezafati,2,*
    1. 7th grade (Middle school), Professor Shamsipour institue, Kermanshah, Iran.
    2. Department of Biology, Kermanshah branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran


  • Introduction: Cancer stem cells (CSC) have a high ability to cause tumors in tissue and other body organs. These cells cause the creation of cancerous masses, which are made up of different cells, and this causes the protection and improvement of the characteristics of cancer cells. Cancer stem cells that create tumor cells through multiple divisions, and these cells are genetically and metabolically different, so that in these cells, we see a change in cell signaling pathways and even receiving energy. With these changes, the process of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, has faced challenges, and the resistance of cancer stem cells to treatment causes the recurrence of cancer and the failure of treatment.
  • Methods: Therefore, this study was conducted as a review of scientific databases from 2015 to 2021 to investigate the role of these metabolic pathways and the use of stem cells in cancer treatment.
  • Results: Stem cells, which have the ability to self-generate and produce new cells, can be considered as a complementary treatment, but even so, these cells have challenges in facing cancer.
  • Conclusion: Finally, we have a long way to go to reach a complete strategy and treatment for cancer treatment, and the probability of failure in clinical trials is still high.
  • Keywords: Cancer stem cell, Stem cell, Cancer