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Terraneo N, Jacob F, Dubrovska A, Grünberg J. Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:319. [PMID: 32257947 PMCID: PMC7090172 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies. Due to the lack of specific symptoms and screening methods, this disease is usually diagnosed only at an advanced and metastatic stage. The gold-standard treatment for OC patients consists of debulking surgery followed by taxane combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Most patients show complete clinical remission after first-line therapy, but the majority of them ultimately relapse, developing radio- and chemoresistant tumors. It is now proposed that the cause of recurrence and reduced therapy efficacy is the presence of small populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are usually resistant against conventional cancer therapies and for this reason, effective targeted therapies for the complete eradication of CSCs are urgently needed. In this review article, we highlight the mechanisms of CSC therapy resistance, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastassja Terraneo
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Francis Jacob
- Ovarian Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Grünberg
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
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Yu X, Mi L, Dong J, Zou J. Long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 1567 (LINC01567) acts as a "sponge" against microRNA-93 in regulating the proliferation and tumorigenesis of human colon cancer stem cells. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:716. [PMID: 29110645 PMCID: PMC5674857 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the major factor in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence and chemoresistance. Maintaining the stemness and promoting differentiation of these cells involve various factors. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as new regulatory factors in human cancer cells. However, the function of lncRNAs in colon CSCs is still unknown. Methods Primary colon cancer cells were maintained in serum-free medium to form spheres and CD133+/CD166+/CD44+ spheroid cells were selected using FACS technique. Then we detected growth curve, colony formation, invasion and migration ability, and tumorigenicity of CD133+/CD166+/CD44+ cells. LOCCS-siRNA and pcDNA-LOCCS plasmid vectors were constructed and transfected to evaluate impact of the lncRNA. We also performed dual luciferase reporter assay to verify the interaction of LOCCS and miR-93. Results The research explored lncRNA expression and the regulatory role of novel lncRNAs in colon CSCs. Using the stem cell markers CD133, CD166 and CD44, we found a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic human colon cancer cells. They displayed some characteristics of stem cells, including the ability to proliferate and form colonies, to resist chemotherapeutic drugs, and to produce xenografts in nude mice. We also found an lncRNA, LOCCS, with obviously upregulated expression in colon CSCs. Knockdown of LOCCS reduced cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and generation of tumor xenografts. Furthermore, microRNA-93 (miR-93) and Musashi-1 mediated the tumor suppression of LOCCS knockdown. Conclusions There was reciprocal repression between LOCCS and miR-93. Research on mechanisms suggested direct binding, as a predicted miR-93 binding site was identified in LOCCS. This comprehensive analysis of LOCCS in colon CSCs provides insight for elucidating important roles of the lncRNA–microRNA functional network in human colon cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3731-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, West Yan'an Road 221, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Lin Mi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, West Yan'an Road 221, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Drug Clinical Trial Organization Office, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, West Yan'an Road 221, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Ruxolitinib sensitizes ovarian cancer to reduced dose Taxol, limits tumor growth and improves survival in immune competent mice. Oncotarget 2017; 8:94040-94053. [PMID: 29212208 PMCID: PMC5706854 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chemotherapy initially reduces the tumor burden in patients with ovarian cancer. However, tumors recur in over 70% of patients, creating the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Methods We evaluated Ruxolitinib, an FDA-approved JAK 1/2 kinase inhibitor, as a potential adjunctive therapy for use with low-dose Taxol (Paclitaxel) by assessing the impact on in vitro proliferation and colony formation of ID8 cells or human TOV-112D ovarian cancer cells, as well as flow cytometric measurement of surface markers associated with cellular stress and stemness by ID8 cells. The syngeneic ID8 murine model of ovarian cancer was used to assess the impact of Ruxolitinib and Taxol, individually and in combination, on tumor initiation and growth, as well as capacity to extend survival. Results Ruxolitinib (≤10 μM) sensitized both ID8 and TOV-112D cells to low concentrations of Taxol (≤5 nM), limiting cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Taxol induced expression of stress and stemness markers including GRP78 and CD133 was significantly reduced by addition of Ruxolitinib. Finally, we demonstrated that a single administration of a low-dose of Taxol (10 mg/Kg) together with daily Ruxolitinib (30 mg/Kg; which is equivalent to plasma concentrations of ∼ 0.01 μM steady-state) limited ID8 tumor growth in vivo and significantly extended median survival up to 53.5% (median 70 v 107.5 days) as compared to control mice. Conclusion Together, these data support the use of Ruxolitinib in combination with low-dose Taxol as a therapeutic approach with the potential for improved efficacy and reduced side effects for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
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Kim YS, Kim E, Park YJ, Kim Y. Retinoic acid receptor β enhanced the anti-cancer stem cells effect of β-carotene by down-regulating expression of delta-like 1 homologue in human neuroblastoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 480:254-260. [PMID: 27751853 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is childhood malignancy that retains characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Targeting the CSCs is one of the therapeutic strategies proposed to achieve complete remission of NB. β-carotene (BC), an active precursor of retinoids, is a well-known antioxidant reported to possess anti-CSCs effects. Here, we investigated the involvement of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in the anti-CSCs effects of BC. Treatment with BC or retinoic acid (RA) upregulated RARβ mRNA expression in two NB cell lines. Inhibition of RARβ using siRNA up-regulated gene expression of delta-like 1 homologue (DLK1), a marker of CSCs. To understand the molecular mechanisms of RARβ-mediated inhibition of DLK1, four retinoic acid receptor elements (RAREs) were identified in the promoter of DLK1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that RARβ bound directly to a RARE in the DLK1 promoter region. Knock-down of RARβ also increased the self-renewal capacity of NB cells, which was suppressed by BC. Taken together, this study provided evidence that the therapeutic anti-CSC effects of BC depend on RARβ and its ability to interact with and down-regulate the CSCs marker, DLK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo-Sun Kim
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Eunju Kim
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Park
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Yuri Kim
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea.
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Hayase S, Sasaki Y, Matsubara T, Seo D, Miyakoshi M, Murata T, Ozaki T, Kakudo K, Kumamoto K, Ylaya K, Cheng SY, Thorgeirsson SS, Hewitt SM, Ward JM, Kimura S. Expression of stanniocalcin 1 in thyroid side population cells and thyroid cancer cells. Thyroid 2015; 25:425-36. [PMID: 25647164 PMCID: PMC4390205 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mouse thyroid side population (SP) cells consist of a minor population of mouse thyroid cells that may have multipotent thyroid stem cell characteristics. However the nature of thyroid SP cells remains elusive, particularly in relation to thyroid cancer. Stanniocalcin (STC) 1 and 2 are secreted glycoproteins known to regulate serum calcium and phosphate homeostasis. In recent years, the relationship of STC1/2 expression to cancer has been described in various tissues. METHOD Microarray analysis was carried out to determine genes up- and down-regulated in thyroid SP cells as compared with non-SP cells. Among genes up-regulated, stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) was chosen for study because of its expression in various thyroid cells by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Gene expression analysis revealed that genes known to be highly expressed in cancer cells and/or involved in cancer invasion/metastasis were markedly up-regulated in SP cells from both intact as well as partial thyroidectomized thyroids. Among these genes, expression of STC1 was found in five human thyroid carcinoma-derived cell lines as revealed by analysis of mRNA and protein, and its expression was inversely correlated with the differentiation status of the cells. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated higher expression of STC1 in the thyroid tumor cell line and thyroid tumor tissues from humans and mice. CONCLUSION These results suggest that SP cells contain a population of cells that express genes also highly expressed in cancer cells including Stc1, which warrants further study on the role of SP cells and/or STC1 expression in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suguru Hayase
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Organ Regulatory Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Sasaki
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Kuwana East Medical Center, Kuwana, Mie, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Matsubara
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daekwan Seo
- Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Bioinformatics Core, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Masaaki Miyakoshi
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Oral Pathobiological Science, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Murata
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Dental and Oral Surgery, Tomakomai City Hospital, Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takashi Ozaki
- Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama City, Japan
| | - Kennichi Kakudo
- Department of Pathology, Nara Hospital Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Kensuke Kumamoto
- Department of Organ Regulatory Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kris Ylaya
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Snorri S. Thorgeirsson
- Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen M. Hewitt
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Shioko Kimura
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Xiong B, Ma L, Hu X, Zhang C, Cheng Y. Characterization of side population cells isolated from the colon cancer cell line SW480. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:1175-83. [PMID: 24926880 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Side population (SP) cells may play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and the recurrence of cancer. Many types of cell lines and tissues have demonstrated the presence of SP cells, including colon cancer cell lines. This study aimed to identify cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the SP of the colon cancer cell line SW480. SP cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), followed by serum-free medium (SFM) culture. The self-renewal, differentiated progeny, clone formation, proliferation, invasion ability, cell cycle, chemosensitivity and tumorigenic properties in SP and non-SP (NSP) cells were investigated through in vitro culture and in vivo serial transplantation. The expression profiles of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein transporters and stem cell-related genes were examined by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The human colon cancer cell lines SW480, Lovo and HCT116 contain 1.1 ± 0.10, 0.93 ± 0.11 and 1.33 ± 0.05% SP cells, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SP cells could differentiate into SP and NSP cells. SP cells had a higher proliferation potency and CFE than NSP cells. Compared to NSP cells, SP cells were also more resistant to CDDP and 5-FU, and were more invasive and displayed increased tumorigenic ability. Moreover, SP cells showed higher mRNA and protein expression of ABCG2, MDR1, OCT-4, NANOG, SOX-2, CD44 and CD133. SP cells isolated from human colon cancer cell lines harbor CSC properties that may be related to the invasive potential and therapeutic resistance of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghong Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chongqing Huaxi Hospital, Banan, Chongqing 400054, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Caiquan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
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Sheng X, Li Z, Wang DEL, Li WB, Luo Z, Chen KH, Cao JJ, Yu C, Liu WJ. Isolation and enrichment of PC-3 prostate cancer stem-like cells using MACS and serum-free medium. Oncol Lett 2012; 5:787-792. [PMID: 23426586 PMCID: PMC3576206 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2012.1090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSLCs) are considered to be the ‘seed’ of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to confirm that the PC-3 cells, which we isolated and enriched from PC-3 cells through magnetic bead cell sorting (MACS) and serum-free medium (SFM) culture, were PCSLCs. Combinations of MACS, flow cytometry (FCM), SFM and immunocytochemistry (ICC) were used to ensure the positive expression of CD133 and CD44 on PC-3 and sphere-forming cell membranes. Self-renewal, multi-potential differentiation, unlimited proliferation and permanency assays were also applied to indentify whether the PC-3 cells exhibited the characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). As a result, there was a low proportion of PCSLCs in the PC-3 cells. In the FCM assay, the proportion of cells expressing CD133 or CD44 in the PC-3 cells was 0.51 and 0.31%, respectively. In addition, we found that the proportion of PC-3 cells sorted by MACS that expressed CD133 was significantly increased compared with that of the sphere-forming cells cultured in SFM (99.09 vs. 84.80%, P<0.05), while no difference was observed in the proportion of cells expressing CD44 between them (99.88 vs. 99.82%, P>0.05). The expression of PAP and AR as detected by western blot analysis of induced PCSLCs was significantly increased compared with that of uninduced PCSLCs (P<0.05); the proliferation capacity of PCSLCs was significantly higher than that of both the PC-3 cells (P<0.05) and induced PCSLCs (P<0.05). Furthermore, the PCSLCs that were isolated from SFM and MACS both demonstrated certain characteristics of stem cells and should be considered as stem cell-like. These data may hold potential for further exploring the role of PCSLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Sheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; Chongqing 400016
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Isolation and characterization of spheroid cells from the HT29 colon cancer cell line. Int J Colorectal Dis 2011; 26:1279-85. [PMID: 21670985 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-011-1248-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells (Cr-CSCs) are involved in the growth of colon cancer, but their specific role in tumor biology, including metastasis, is still unclear. Currently, methods for sorting Cr-CSCs are based on the expression of surface markers (e.g., CD133(+), CD44(+), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1(+))); however, the specificity of these markers for Cr-CSCs is uncertain. PURPOSE This study aimed to develop more effective ways of isolating and purifying Cr-CSCs. METHODS Suspension culture was used for isolation of Cr-CSCs. And spheroid cells were performed by side population technology, and the putative molecular marker analysis of colorectal cancer stem cell. Migration assay and chemoresistance experiment were conducted between the adherent cells and spheroid cells. RESULTS HT29 colon cancer cells grew well in suspension culture. The percentage of CD44(+) cancer cell of spheroid cells was 68 times higher than that of adherent cells (89.5% vs. 1.3%), but there was no obvious difference in the percentage of CD133(+) cells (6.25% vs. 5.6%). Moreover, it is worth noting that the percent of CD133 (+)/CD44(+) cells remarkably rose (from 0.6% to 5.4%). The expression of ALDH1 was markedly increased (7.5% vs. 20.5%) for the spheroid cells than the adherent cells. The side population within the spheroid population dramatically increased from 0.2% to 6.3%. The resistance of spheroid cells to 5-FU was higher than that of adherent cells, as was their ability to migrate in the presence of SDF-1α. CONCLUSION Suspension culture is an effective approach for enriching Cr-CSCs and can provide an inexhaustible supply of genetically stable colon cancer stem cells for targeted Cr-CSC studies. Spheroid cell models also enable the study of colon cancer chemoresistance and metastasis and may help to elucidate the role of cancer stem cells in colon cancer.
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Serakinci N, Christensen R, Fahrioglu U, Sorensen FB, Dagnæs-Hansen F, Hajek M, Jensen TH, Kolvraa S, Keith NW. Mesenchymal stem cells as therapeutic delivery vehicles targeting tumor stroma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2011; 26:767-73. [PMID: 21877908 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2011.1024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of stem cell biology continues to evolve by characterization of further types of stem cells and by exploring their therapeutic potential for experimental and clinical applications. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are one of the most promising candidates simply because of their easiness of both ex vivo expansion in culture dishes and genetic manipulation. Despite many extensive isolation and expansion studies, relatively little has been done with regard to hMSCs' therapeutic potential. Although clinical trials using hMSCs are underway, their use in cancer therapy still needs better understanding and in vivo supporting data. The homing ability of hMSCs was investigated by creating a human xenograft model by transplanting an ovarian cancer cell line into immunocompromised mice. Then, genetically engineered hMSC-telo1 cells were injected through the tail vein and the contribution and distribution of hMSCs to the tumor stroma were investigated by immunohistochemistry and PCR specific to the telomerase gene. Results show that exogenously administered hMSCs preferentially home, engraft, and proliferate at tumor sites and contribute to the population of stromal fibroblasts. In conclusion, this study provides support for the capacity of hMSCs to home to tumor site and serve as a delivery platform for chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedime Serakinci
- Telomere and Aging Group, Institute of Regional Health Research (IRS), Southern Denmark University, Vejle, Denmark.
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Scatena R, Bottoni P, Pontoglio A, Giardina B. Cancer stem cells: the development of new cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:875-92. [PMID: 21463158 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.573780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells with indefinite proliferative potential that drive the growth of tumors. CSCs seem to provide a suitable explanation for several intriguing aspects of cancer pathophysiology. AREAS COVERED An explosion of therapeutic options for cancer treatment that selectively target CSCs has been recorded in the recent years. These include the targeting of cell-surface proteins, various activated signalling pathways, different molecules of the stem cell niche and various drug resistance mechanisms. Importantly, approaching cancer research by investigating the pathogenesis of these intriguing cancer cells is increasing the knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease, emphasizing certain molecular mechanisms that have been partially neglected. EXPERT OPINION The characterization of the molecular phenotype of these cancer stem-like cells, associated with an accurate definition of their typical derangement in cell differentiation, can represent a fundamental advance in terms of diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Preliminary results seem to be promising but further studies are required to define the therapeutic index of this new anticancer treatment. Moreover, understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of CSCs can expand the therapeutic applications of normal adult stem cells by reducing the risk of uncontrolled tumorigenic stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Scatena
- Catholic University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
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Fan X, Liu S, Su F, Pan Q, Lin T. Effective enrichment of prostate cancer stem cells from spheres in a suspension culture system. Urol Oncol 2010; 30:314-8. [PMID: 20843707 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2010.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem-like prostate cancer cells are also called prostate cancer stem cells (PrCSCs). These rare cells are supposed to be highly tumorigenic and to be involved in maintenance of tumor homeostasis and mediation of tumor metastasis. Methods for sorting PrCSCs are mainly based on sorting cells with the marker (CD133(+)/CD44(+)) or side population cells. However, CD133(+)/CD44(+) cells or side population cells are very rare or even undetectable. The scarcity of approaches for isolation and purification of PrCSCs is the main obstacle to studying PrCSCs. METHODS In the present study, suspension culture was used for enrichment of PrCSCs. And PrCSCs were verified by side population technology, drug sensitivity assays, and the molecular marker analysis of prostate cancer stem cell. RESULTS PC3 cells survived and formed spheres in nonadherent suspension culture. The percentage of CD44(+)/CD133(+) cells was 18-fold higher in the nonadherent sphere-forming cell population than in the adherent PC3 cell population (13.94% vs. 0.77%, respectively). This side population was increased to 3.1% in the nonadherent population but undetectable in adherent population. Resistance to cisplatin was higher in the nonadherent cells than adherent cells. CONCLUSION Suspension culture can be used to enrich for PrCSCs. This approach will aid prostate stem cell biology research and facilitate identification of novel therapeutic agents for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlan Fan
- Center of Medical Research, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Argonaute proteins: potential biomarkers for human colon cancer. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:38. [PMID: 20146808 PMCID: PMC2843668 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although Argonaute proteins are considered to play important roles in stem cell self-renewal, RNA interference (RNAi) and translational regulation, relatively little is known about their functions in human disease. In this study, we investigated the expression of eight members of human Argonaute family in colon cancer and identified their potential roles in tumor development and progression. Methods Antibodies against human Argonaute proteins were prepared by immunizing rabbits with synthetic peptides derived from the sequences of Argonaute members. Then we constructed a tissue microarray containing 75 specimens from colon cancer and 75 specimens from adjacent non-cancer tissue, and assayed eight different proteins (EIF2C1, EIF2C2, EIF2C3, EIF2C4, PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4) by immunohistochemistry on consecutive formalin-fixed tissue microarray sections. Results The expression of EIF2C1-4 and PIWIL1-4 was significantly higher in tumorous tissue than in adjacent tissue. Notably, a significant correlation was observed between the positive expression of EIF2C2, EIF2C3, EIF2C4, PIWIL4 and the presence of distant metastasis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that an increased expression of EIF2C1 and PIWIL2 was significantly associated with occurrence of colon cancer tissue compared with non-cancer tissue. Conclusions Argonaute proteins are overexpressed in colon cancer relative to adjacent non-cancer tissue. The expression of EIF2C2-4 and PIWIL4 appears increased in advanced tumors with distant metastasis, suggesting it may promote tumor invasion. Furthermore, EIF2C1 and PIWIL2 might represent novel colon cancer markers with early diagnostic significance.
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