Defining Cancer Stem Cells by Xenotransplantation in Zebrafish -- Analysis of Cancer Stem Cell Metastasis in Xenograft Animal Models -- Identification of Murine and Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells -- Methods for Analysis of Brain Tumor Stem Cell and Neural Stem Cell Self-Renewal -- Prospective Identification of Cancer Stem Cells with the Surface Antigen CD133 -- Neurosphere Culture and Human Organotypic Model to Evaluate Brain Tumor Stem Cells -- Methodologies in Assaying Prostate Cancer Stem Cells -- Characterization of Nonmalignant and Malignant Prostatic Stem/Progenitor Cells by Hoechst Side Population Method -- Anchorage-Independent Growth of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells -- Identification of Human Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells -- Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma -- Pituitary Adenoma Stem Cells -- Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiling: The mDIP-Chip Technology -- The Contribution of Niche-Derived Factors to the Regulation of Cancer Cells -- Dendritic Cell Vaccines for Cancer Stem Cells -- Maintaining and Engineering Neural Stem Cells for Delivery of Genetically Encoded Therapy to Brain Tumors -- Measurement of Multiple Drug Resistance Transporter Activity in Putative Cancer Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Through the revolutionary concept of cancer stem cells, cancer research has been reinvigorated to study the role of these unique cells in cancer propagation and as targets of innovative therapies. In Cancer Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols, preeminent researchers have compiled cancer stem cell research techniques and protocols to promote healthy competition, discourse, and collaboration in this vital field. The volume covers extensive topics such as identification and isolation of cancer stem cells, animal models of cancer stem cells, methylation profiling, the contribution of the niche in the regulation of cancer stem cells, immunologic targeting, and the use of normal stem cells as a treatment, among other subjects. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and expert notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Cancer Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols will aid scientists around the world in the furthering of our understanding of cancer initiation and propagation and, most importantly, in the development of novel targets for cancer therapy.