Fig. 1

Context-dependent roles of LGR5⁺ colorectal cancer stem cells. The dynamics of LGR5⁺ colorectal cancer stem cells in different experimental settings. In intact tumors, LGR5⁺ cancer cells self-renew and their descendants generate differentiated cancer cells (top left), whereas upon LGR5 ablation, CK20⁺ differentiated cancer cells convert to LGR5⁺ cancer stem cells (CSCs; top right). In a mouse model of liver metastasis, Lgr5 ablation leads to complete elimination of metastatic tumors (bottom left). When co-treated with an EGFR antibody followed by LGR5 ablation, EGFR blockade induces enrichment of LGR5⁺ CSCs, thereby intensifying the effect of LGR5 ablation (bottom right)