Lung Cancer Stem Cells: Insights into Characterization and Regulatory Mechanisms

Purpose of Review Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The five-year survival rate is very low in lung cancer patients due to diagnosis at late stages, tumor recurrence, and drug resistance. Recent studies suggest that cancer cells with self-renewal capacity contribute to tumor growth. Identification of reliable markers for cancer stem cell populations and mechanistic understanding of associated signaling pathways and regulatory factors are critically needed to improve long-term survival.