Cancer Cell Plasticity, Stem Cell Factors, and Therapy Resistance: How Are They Linked?

CSCs maintain the cancer cell plasticity, EMT, and epigenetic plasticity. EMT contributes to increased cell migration and greater diversity within tumors, while epigenetic changes, stem cell factors, and various signaling pathways allow cancer cells to maintain various phenotypes, giving rise to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity.