Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
Caecilia H. C. Sukowati and Claudio Tiribelli
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Cell Sci Ther
Recent evidence of cancer stem cells (CSC) as cancer initiating cells has been recognized in both systemic and solid cancers, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignancies in the world. However, compared to other cancers, underlying information of CSC in HCC is still unclear. Th is limitation is related by the various etiologies and clinical manifestations of the disease. Despite of possible curative treatment for HCC in early stages, targeting the CSC as the main player of the carcinogenesis will be a potent tool for a better eradication of the disease, mainly for advanced HCC. Targeting the CSC in HCC should consider several important biological and clinical components. It is essential to understand how the unique properties of CSC may promote and maintain the cancer. Although CSC and normal stem cells may share markers, it would be ideal to identify a clear phenotype of CSC for a specifi c targeting while sparing their normal counterparts. Th e issue of drug resistance must be overcome to increase effi ciency and to decrease cytotoxicity using specifi c inhibitors or substrates. Targeting the deregulated signaling pathway responsible for the stemness and maintenance of CSC can be one of the eff ective systemic therapies. In addition, the prediction of the response due to genetic variations in diff erent patients with diff erent stages might be also useful for the optimum therapy. Th e need for better understanding of the pathobiology of CSC in HCC and the use of the information for a more effi cient and focused treatment is evident.
Caecilia Sukowati was graduated from Department of Biology, Institut Teknologi Bandung Indonesia in 2003. She worked for the Eijkman Institute, Jakarta, with focus on hepatitis and in fl uenza viruses. In 2008, she received research grant from the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and completed her PhD from University of Trieste in 2010. Currently she is working as a post-doc researcher at the Italian Liver Foundation, Trieste Italy with main topic liver disease and stem cells. She had contributed her works in several international meetings in Asia, America and Europe with main focus on liver cancer, cancer stem cells and drug resistance