In vitro cancer models as an approach to identify targetable developmental phenotypes in cancer stem cells

Abstract Cancer therapeutics are often highly toxic to the patient, and they elicit rapid resistance in tumour. Recent advances have suggested a potential new way which we may improve on this, through two important concepts: (1) that multitudinous pathway alterations converge limited number of cancer cellular phenotypes, (2) these phenotypes depend reactivation developmental processes only minimally active adult tissues. This provides rationale for pursuing an approach ‘drugging phenotype’ focussed targeting reactivated from embryonic development. In this concepts paper, cover recent developments their implications development can avoid patient toxicity acquired resistance. We then propose vitro tumour models provide experimental identify target specific at play, with focus stem cells drive progression spread. Ultimately, aim is cells, essential progression. Therapeutically could represent treats whilst avoiding or acquisition therapeutic