Stem Cells in Cancer
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 November 2025 | Viewed by 2567
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small subset of cells within tumors that possess stem cell-like properties, including self-renewal and the ability to give rise to diverse cell types within the tumor. These cells are implicated in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. CSCs are believed to arise from normal stem cells or differentiated cells through genetic or epigenetic alterations. They contribute to tumor heterogeneity, which complicates treatment approaches. Researchers have identified various molecular markers associated with CSCs, which can be used to isolate and study these cells. However, CSC markers are not universally agreed upon, and their expression may vary between different types of cancer. Identifying CSC markers and understanding their biology is crucial for developing targeted therapies. Targeting CSCs holds promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes. Strategies for targeting CSCs include inhibiting the signaling pathways involved in stem cell self-renewal, disrupting the tumor microenvironment that supports CSCs, and inducing CSC differentiation or apoptosis. Despite the potential of targeting CSCs, several challenges remain, including identifying specific CSC markers, understanding the plasticity of CSCs, and developing effective therapies that selectively target CSCs without harming normal stem cells. Targeting CSCs holds promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes by addressing the root cause of tumor growth and recurrence.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Sharma
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cancer stem cells
- heterogeneity
- metastasis
- plasticity
- self-renewal
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
