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Group Leaders: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Carsten Gründker, Prof. Dr. med. Günter Emons
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In the last years numerous references for the existence of stem cells in cancers were found. The cancer stem cell theory means that cancers develop from a subset of malignant cells, which exhibit stem cell characteristics. These cells show characteristics of both stem cells and of cancer cells. They possess the ability to self-renewal, asymmetric cell division and independent growth, show resistance to induction of apoptosis, tumorigenicity and metastatic potential. The development from cancer stem cells could explain both the heterogeneity of cancers of one tissue and the relapse of tumors after therapy.
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