Figure 3.

Pernicious changes in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in relapsed leukemia. Most LSCs are quiescent, and the number of LSCs is maintained at a steady state in a de novo leukemia. After eliminating proliferating leukemic cells with inappropriate chemotherapy, the residual LSCs are stimulated to enter the cell cycle and produce siblings and progenies (remission status with residual LSCs). Upon relapsing to full‐blown leukemia, the LSCs fail to return to quiescence and are maintained at a higher number than before (relapsed leukemia).