New Insights into Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Cancer Stem-Like Cells

The Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSLCs) are cells with tumorigenic potential, which are involved in initiation, progression and spread of the tumor. Recent evidences in the last decade have suggested the existence of CSLCs in distinct types of tumors such as lung, brain, breast, prostate, colon, head and neck, ovarian and larynx cancers. They are identified by their tissue specific stem cell-like properties including self-renewal and having potential to differentiate. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), originating from laryngeal epithelial tissue, is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies among the head and neck tumors worldwide. LSCC is frequently diagnosed among middle-aged people and its incidence has been reported to increase each year. Therapeutic options mostly cannot give positive clinical response especially for the advanced LSCC cases. LSCC is still one of the important causes of cancer deaths, particularly in men, worldwide, although the technologies in detection and diagnosis of LSCC have been significantly improved recently. In this review, we have summarized the most current literature to understand the functions and roles of CSLCs in human LSCC. We believe that this review will contribute to knowledge of scientist not only working in LSCC field, but also studying the CSLCs in other cancers and diseases, and will help elucidating the roles of CSLCs implicated in LSCC initiation, development, progression, and chemo-radioresistance.