A Proposed Quantitative Index for Assessing the Potential Contribution of Reprogramming to Cancer Stem Cell Kinetics
Figure 2
(a) Potential mechanisms by which (fractionated) IR increases the proportion of CSCs. Radiation induces the activation and stabilization of stemness-associated signaling (i) promotes symmetric self-renewal divisions, while repressing differentiation commitment, and/or (ii) evokes reprogramming of progenitor cells into a stem-like state. (b) The tumorigenicity is regulated by the degree of cell plasticity. 0 and 1 stand for minimum and maximum, respectively, in the according axis.