©The Author(s) 2019. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2019; 11(7): 383-397
Published online Jul 26, 2019. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i7.383
Published online Jul 26, 2019. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i7.383
Presence and role of stem cells in ovarian cancer
Natasa Kenda Suster, Department of Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
Irma Virant-Klun, Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
Author contributions: All authors equally contributed to this paper with conception, literature review, analysis, drafting, editing, and final approval of the final version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No potential conflicts of interest. No financial support.
Corresponding author: Natasa Kenda Suster, MD, PhD, Attending Doctor, Department of Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia. natasa@kenda.si
Telephone: +386-15-221172
Received: February 20, 2019
Peer-review started: February 20, 2019
First decision: April 16, 2019
Revised: April 23, 2019
Accepted: June 12, 2019
Article in press: June13, 2019
Published online: July 26, 2019
Processing time: 157 Days and 2.5 Hours
Peer-review started: February 20, 2019
First decision: April 16, 2019
Revised: April 23, 2019
Accepted: June 12, 2019
Article in press: June13, 2019
Published online: July 26, 2019
Processing time: 157 Days and 2.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Ovarian carcinoma, based on its biological profile and clinical course, presents a prototype of cancer stem-cell-driven disease. Ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) might be responsible for tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis, disease relapse and chemoresistance acquisition. For the successful treatment of this deadly disease, target therapy directed toward ovarian CSCs should be implemented. But to this, identification and characterisation of CSC subpopulations, such as very small embryonic-like stem cells, should be derived. This review’s objective is to consolidate present knowledge and to discuss future perspectives in the field of ovarian CSCs.