Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Their Interplay with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs): A New World of Targets and Treatments

Simple Summary The world of small molecules in solid tumors as cancer stem cells (CSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) continues to be under-debated, but not of minor interest in recent decades. One of the main problems in regard to cancer is the development of tumor recurrence, even in the early stages, in addition to drug resistance and, consequently, ineffective or an incomplete response against the tumor. The findings behind this resistance are probably justified by the presence of small molecules such as CSCs, CTCs and CAFs connected with the tumor microenvironment, which may influence the aggressiveness and the metastatic process. The mechanisms, connections, and molecular pathways behind them are still unknown. Our review would like to represent an important step forward to highlight the roles of these molecules and the possible connections among them. The importance of defining new molecules to fight cancer is of significant interest to the scientific community. In particular, it has been shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors with capabilities of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity; on the other side, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) seem to split away from the primary tumor and appear in the circulatory system as singular units or clusters. It is becoming more and more important to discover new biomarkers related to these populations of cells in combination to define the network among them and the tumor microenvironment. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment with different functions, including matrix deposition and remodeling, extensive reciprocal signaling interactions with cancer cells and crosstalk with immunity. The settings of new markers and the definition of the molecular connections may present new avenues, not only for fighting cancer but also for the definition of more tailored therapies.

Automated summary

The roles and connections of small molecules such as cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts in solid tumors have been under-debated but of significant interest in recent decades. These molecules may play a role in tumor recurrence, drug resistance, and treatment response, but their mechanisms and molecular pathways are still unknown. Defining new molecules to fight against cancer is of great interest to the scientific community. Cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts play important roles in the tumor microenvironment, and discovering biomarkers related to these cell populations and defining the network among them and the tumor microenvironment are becoming increasingly important.