Immunotherapy Approaches Focusing on Cancer Stem Cells

What is it about?

Cancer Stem Cells are important key for cancer development and consequently becomes a potential therapeutic target for cancer elimination. In this scenario, a successful generation of immunity response is the key that can help fight against cancer. Techniques such as monoclonal antibodies, dendritic cells vaccine, and adoptive T cell therapies have been developed, aiming CSC targeting to eliminate tumor mass. In this chapter, some features and aspects of CSC, as well as their relation with patients’ prognosis and therapeutic values, will be listed.

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Why is it important?

Cancer is one of the most killing diseases in the world. It affects from children to elderly people. In this scenario, the immune system plays an important role in the elimination of the tumor, but generally, it cannot efficiently eliminate tumor by itself. Conventional treatments, although effective in the short term, leave gaps that allow the development of recurrences and/or metastases, mainly due to the renewal and proliferation of tumor stem cells. Thus, targeting tumor stem cells with immunotherapy becomes a promising tool for a better quality of life for cancer patients.