Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subclass of cancer cells that can differentiate into various cell types and self-renew, similar to normal stem cells. CSCs play an important role in the initiation and progression of cancer, and as such, there has been extensive research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the properties of CSCs and how they contribute to the development and spread of cancer. CSCs are thought to be responsible for cancer initiation because they can divide and differentiate into multiple cell types, allowing them to contribute to the formation of a malignant tumor. CSCs are also largely resistant to cancer therapies, which allows them to survive and continue to divide, leading to the growth and progression of the tumor. CSCs can migrate to other body parts and form new tumors, a process known as metastasis. This is one of the major challenges in treating cancer, as it is difficult to eliminate CSCs and prevent the spread of the disease. There is ongoing research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the properties of CSCs, as well as efforts to develop targeted therapies that specifically target CSCs to improve the treatment of cancer. Some potential therapeutic strategies include inhibiting the pathways that control the self-renewal and viability of CSCs or targeting the microenviron-ment that supports the growth and survival of CSCs.