| abstract |
Described are methods for the identification and validation of an agent that specifically targets cancer stem cells (CSCs), but has no effect on normal stem cells (NSCs). The agent is identified by its ability to inhibit cell proliferation, or induce cell differentiation or death, of a surrogate CSC (sCSC) while having no such effect on the NSC. The sCSC is a human embryonic stem cell that has spontaneously acquired transformed characteristics but retains pluripotency (t-hPSC), or is a transformed induced-pluripotent stem cell (t-iPSC). Dopamine receptors (DRs) are identified as biomarkers for cancer stem cells. Antagonists of DRs induce differentiation of CSCs, eradicating their potential to seed cancer. |