Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells, are a sub-population of tumor cells
found in many human cancers that are endowed with self-renewal and pluripotency. CSCs may be more resistant
to conventional anticancer therapies than average cancer cells, as they can easily escape the cytotoxic effects of
standard chemotherapy, thereby resulting in tumor relapse. Despite significant progress in related research, effective
elimination of CSCs remains an unmet clinical need. CSCs are localized in a specialized microenvironment
termed the niche, which plays a pivotal role in cancer multidrug resistance. The niche components of CSCs, such
as the extracellular matrix, also physically shelter CSCs from therapeutic agents. Colorectal cancer is the most
common malignancy worldwide and presents a relatively transparent process of cancer initiation and development,
making it an ideal model for CSC niche research. Here, we review recent advances in the field of CSCs
using colorectal cancer as an example to illustrate the potential therapeutic value of targeting the CSC niche.
These findings not only provide a novel theoretical basis for in-depth discussions on tumor occurrence, development,
and prognosis evaluation, but also offer new strategies for the targeted treatment of cancer.
A Chemosensitivity Study of Colorectal Cancer Using Xenografts of Patient-Derived Tumor-Initiating Cells