Cancer Stem Cells

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Radiation Resistance of Cancer Stem Cells: The 4 R's of Radiobiology Revisited†‡§

  1. Frank Pajonk1,2,¶,*,
  2. Erina Vlashi1,
  3. William H. McBride1,2

Article first published online: 4 FEB 2010

DOI: 10.1002/stem.318

Issue

STEM CELLS

STEM CELLS

Volume 28, Issue 4, pages 639–648, April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pajonk, F., Vlashi, E. and McBride, W. H. (2010), Radiation Resistance of Cancer Stem Cells: The 4 R's of Radiobiology Revisited. STEM CELLS, 28: 639–648. doi: 10.1002/stem.318

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA

  2. 2

    Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA

  1. Telephone: 1-310-206-8733, Fax: 1-310-206-1260;

*David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095-1714, USA

  1. †

    Author contributions: F.P., E.V., and W.H.M.: manuscript writing and final approval of manuscript.

  2. ‡

    First published online in STEM CELLS EXPRESS February 4, 2010 available online without subscription through the open access option.

  3. §

    Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 APR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 4 FEB 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 23 JAN 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 8 DEC 2009

Funded by

  • California Breast Cancer Research Program. Grant Number: BC060077
  • Department of Defense. Grant Number: PC060599
  • National Cancer Institute. Grant Number: 1R01CA137110-01
  • Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority. Grant Number: 1RC1A1081287

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Keywords:

  • Cancer stem cells;
  • Cancer-initiating cells;
  • Radiation biology

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that many solid cancers are organized hierarchically and contain a small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). It seems reasonable to suggest that a cancer cure can be achieved only if this population is eliminated. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that CSCs are inherently resistant to radiation, and perhaps other cancer therapies. In general, success or failure of standard clinical radiation treatment is determined by the 4 R's of radiobiology: repair of DNA damage, redistribution of cells in the cell cycle, repopulation, and reoxygenation of hypoxic tumor areas. We relate recent findings on CSCs to these four phenomena and discuss possible consequences. STEM CELLS 2010;28:639–648

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