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Abstract
Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of the tumour mass that are capable of sustaining its growth, are resistant to many cancer specific therapies, and can reinitiate disease relapse. CSCs are resistant to current cancer treatments due to specialised transporters, cell cycle changes, DNA repair and antiapoptotic mechanisms. Objective: This paper reviews CSC biology and diagnostic and therapeutic patents as well as those associated with the isolation of CSCs. Methods: Literature and patent searches using the NCBI PubMed, European Patent Office, Scopus, and PATENTSCOPE® websites were conducted to examine and link CSC biology and therapy development with current patent literature. Conclusion: Development in basic CSC biology research is increasing the patents filed in this area; however, therapeutic patents directly targeting CSCs are more limited, as research in this area remains in its infancy.
Acknowledgement
SE Lazic is supported by a Cancer Research UK bursary and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust.