Figure 1: Panel A. The cancer stem cell compartment is depicted in four layers of cells with increasing differentiation and decreasing proliferative capacity. The bidirectional arrows represent dedifferentiation ability of these cells. Panel B. The establishment of a steady state in the stem cell compartment is noticeable after approximately 80 cell divisions. The compartment is initially seeded only with stem cells which divide, differentiate and establish a cascade with four different types of cells. Panel C. The effect of the introduction of a stem cell antagonist after 80 cell divisions results in an initial decline. Withdrawal of the agent after 250 cell divisions causes a re-establishment of the compartment which is representative of complete recurrence.