Cancer stem cells (CSCs) resemble normal stem cells with self-renewal and differentiation characteristics. CSCs have been detected within cancers that may form tumorigenesis from a small subpopulation of cells. CSCs have recently been identified in leukemia and solid tumors, including melanoma, multiple myeloma, brain, breast, colon, ovary, pancreas, and prostate cancers. There is growing evidence indicating that CSCs are principal players to the development of resistance to cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is clinically significant since resistant CSCs may lead to relapse and distant metastasis and give rise to new tumors. Emerging data indicates that CSCs and normal stem cells may share cellular pathways regulating proliferation and differentiation. These pathways include, but not limited to, polycomb group transcriptional repressor Bmi-1, Notch, Sonic hedgehog, and Wnt pathways. Therefore, identification of CSC markers, selection and development of unique therapeutics targeting CSCs, and mechanisms regulating of molecular expression of CSCs phenotype which prevent recurrence or metastasis will provide insight to novel intervention strategies for future cancer treatments. We invite experts to contribute original research and review articles that explore aspects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that associated with CSCs in basic research, in translational medicine, and in clinical application for cancer treatment.

The topic will highlight current research, encourage additional research, draw attention to the subject, and ultimately help advance the field of CAM application in CSCs. All the articles need to be related to the area of CAM. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Screening platform establishment for effective agents acting on CSCs
• Development of agents modulating CSC signaling pathways
• Overcoming treatment resistance related to CSCs
• Influencing of microenvironment on CSCs
• Targeting therapeutics and accompanying biomarkers on CSCs
• Translational research on CAM treatment and CSCs
• Chemical modification, formulation, optimization, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of CAM related to management of CSCs
• Recent advances in drug development from CAM related to CSCs
• Genetic approaches to personalized medicine related to CAM and CSCs
• Evaluation of the advantage and disadvantage in CSC aspect of conventional cancer treatment with and without the combination of CAM

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