Cytostatic persister cancer cells: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges.

A recent editorial paper published in Oncotarget discusses the therapeutic potential and challenges of cytostatic persister cancer cells. These cells are able to remain viable despite treatment and can contribute to residual diseases and the emergence of resistant clones and relapses. Unlike resistant cells, persister cancer cells enter a non-proliferating state that is reversible upon treatment discontinuation. The paper highlights the need to understand the properties of cytostatic persisters and explores strategies for targeting them to reduce cancer recurrence. The researchers suggest that administering multiple targeted regimens may be necessary to effectively deplete the persister reservoirs in patients undergoing cancer treatments. [Extracted from the article]