Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40804837›Full record

ReviewDiagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Therapeutic and Prognostic Relevance of Cancer Stem Cell Populations in Endometrial Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Ioana Cristina Rotar, Elena Bernad, Liviu Moraru, Viviana Ivan, Adrian Apostol, Sandor Ianos Bernad, Daniel Muresan, Melinda-Ildiko Mitranovici

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ioana Cristina RotarObstetrics and Gynecology I, Mother and Child Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-7700-2384
Elena BernadDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, Center for Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery and In Vitro Fertilization, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0003-1084-2714
Liviu MoraruDepartment of Anatomy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology "George Emil Palade", 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.
Viviana IvanDepartment of Cardiology, Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0003-4304-4911
Adrian ApostolDepartment of Cardiology, Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0001-6684-1759
Sandor Ianos BernadCentre for Fundamental and Advanced Technical Research, Romanian Academy-Timisoara Branch, No 24 Mihai Viteazul Boulevard, 300223 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-0617-5376
Daniel MuresanObstetrics and Gynecology I, Mother and Child Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Melinda-Ildiko MitranoviciDepartment of Anatomy, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology "George Emil Palade", 540142 Targu Mures, Romania.ORCID 0000-0003-1596-6353

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The biggest challenge in cancer therapy is tumor resistance to the classical approach. Thus, research interest has shifted toward the cancer stem cell population (CSC). CSCs are a small subpopulation of cancer cells within tumors with self-renewal, differentiation, and metastasis/malignant potential. They are involved in tumor initiation and development, metastasis, and recurrence.

methodA narrative review of significant scientific publications related to the topic and its applicability in endometrial cancer (EC) was performed with the aim of identifying current knowledge about the identification of CSC populations in endometrial cancer, their biological significance, prognostic impact, and therapeutic targeting.

resultsTherapy against the tumor population alone has no or negligible effect on CSCs. CSCs, due to their stemness and therapeutic resistance, cause tumor relapse. They target CSCs that may lead to noticeable persistent tumoral regression. Also, they can be used as a predictive marker for poor prognosis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that the cultured cells strongly expressed stemness-related genes, such as SOX-2 (sex-determining region Y-box 2), NANOG (Nanog homeobox), and Oct 4 (octamer-binding protein 4). The expression of surface markers CD133+ and CD44+ was found on CSC as stemness markers. Along with surface markers, transcription factors such as NF-kB, HIF-1a, and b-catenin were also considered therapeutic targets. Hypoxia is another vital feature of the tumor environment and aids in the maintenance of the stemness of CSCs. This involves the hypoxic activation of the WNT/b-catenin pathway, which promotes tumor survival and metastasis. Specific antibodies have been investigated against CSC markers; for example, anti-CD44 antibodies have been demonstrated to have potential against different CSCs in preclinical investigations. Anti-CD-133 antibodies have also been developed. Targeting the CSC microenvironment is a possible drug target for CSCs. Focusing on stemness-related genes, such as the transcription pluripotency factors SOX2, NANOG, and OCT4, is another therapeutic option.

conclusionsStemness surface and gene markers can be potential prognostic biomarkers and management approaches for cases with drug-resistant endometrial cancers.

Indexed as

endometrial cancerprognostic factorsstemnessstemness markersstemness pathwaytargeted treatment

Identifiers

PMID40804837
PMCPMC12346045

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.