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Pan Y, Yuan C, Zeng C, Sun C, Xia L, Wang G, Chen X, Zhang B, Liu J, Ding ZY. Cancer stem cells and niches: challenges in immunotherapy resistance. Mol Cancer 2025; 24:52. [PMID: 39994696 PMCID: PMC11852583 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-025-02265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are central to tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. Characterized by remarkable self-renewal and adaptability, CSCs can transition dynamically between stem-like and differentiated states in response to external stimuli, a process termed "CSC plasticity." This adaptability underpins their resilience to therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies (ACT). Beyond intrinsic properties, CSCs reside in a specialized microenvironment-the CSC niche-which provides immune-privileged protection, sustains their stemness, and fosters immune suppression. This review highlights the critical role of CSCs and their niche in driving immunotherapy resistance, emphasizing the need for integrative approaches to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglong Pan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Cellular Signaling laboratory, Key laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chaoyi Yuan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chenglong Zeng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Key Laboratory of the MOE, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Limin Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Guihua Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Tongji Hospital, GI Cancer Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Cellular Signaling laboratory, Key laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Ze-Yang Ding
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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