Table 1.

Common characteristics of normal and cancer stem cells (Adapted from Bapat et al., 2010).

Characteristics
Asymmetric division (self-renewal) that produces quiescent stem cells and a dedicated progenitor cell
A self-renewability by a similar signalling pathway (such as Wnt, Notch, MAPK, and sonic Hedgehog) and by BMI-1 at the epigenetic level
High telomerase activity that prolongs the cellular life span
Ability to form a hierarchy of cellular derivatives that includes progenitors and differentiated cells
Expression of similar surface receptors either as stem cell markers or associated with homing and metastases (such as CD133, c-kit, CXCR4, LIF-R, c-met, a6 integrin)
Preference for growth factor independence through secretion of growth factors and cytokines
Stimulation of angiogenesis through secretion of angiopoietin factors