Sox2: Masterminding the Root of Cancer

The transcription factor Sox2 is a master regulator that maintains stemness in embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells. Using elegant lineage tracing strategies and genetic reporter mouse models, two studies (one of which is by Vanner and colleagues in this issue of Cancer Cell) now demonstrate that rare Sox2-expressing cells are the founding cancer stem cell population driving tumor initiation and therapy resistance. The transcription factor Sox2 is a master regulator that maintains stemness in embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells. Using elegant lineage tracing strategies and genetic reporter mouse models, two studies (one of which is by Vanner and colleagues in this issue of Cancer Cell) now demonstrate that rare Sox2-expressing cells are the founding cancer stem cell population driving tumor initiation and therapy resistance.