Biomarkers and signaling pathways of esophageal cancer stem cells: promising targets to limit the metastatic potential and stemness

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive digestive cancer with a very poor prognosis and is often diagnosed late when the tumor has metastasized due to its asymptomatic attributes. Tumor metastasis is caused by a rare subpopulation of cancer cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Esophageal CSC plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence. Dysregulation of biomarker expression and altered signaling pathways has been observed in esophageal CSCs than in tumor cells. Studies have shown that targeting biomarkers, signaling pathways, and components of CSCs offer promising and vital therapeutic strategies against cancer. Potential treatment modalities aimed at targeting CSCs are currently undergoing; nonetheless, a vast understanding of the mechanisms that enhance esophageal cancer stemness and metastasis is required. In this chapter, CSC biomarkers, aberrant CSC-specific pathways, and targeting agents presently aimed at limiting the metastatic potential and stemness of esophageal cancer will be discussed.