Abstract A6: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) expressing CD44 high increased the aggressiveness of cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) is considered of one of the most important factors influencing tumor microenvironment. CD44 is known to a marker of head and neck cancer stem cell and is a glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. Tissues from several head and neck cancer patients were gathered and fibroblasts from tumor tissues and normal tissues away from cancer were isolated. We found CAF overexpressed CD44 when compared to normal part of fibroblast, thus investigated the role of CAF which is overexpressing CD44. Cancer cells which are co-cultured with CAF migrated better than normal fibroblast when wound assay were performed. To test whether this motility of cancer is related to CD44 on CAF, CAF was inhibited by neutralizing antibody of CD44. After treatment with neutralizing antibody, the motility of cancer cells reduced. To confirm that CAF influences tumor cell migration, mixture of CAF and cancer cells were laid on an upper well, then these cells would travel 3D environment which is made by our own idea. Cancer cells which get ability to migrate and can form colonies can survive on the bottom well. When treated neutralizing antibody, cells could neither migrate nor make colonies well than antibody-free mixture. In conclusion, CAF influenced cancer cell migration through the CD44. If CD44 on CAF was blocked, the movement and aggressiveness of cancer cells weakened. Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):A6.