Expression of cancer stem cells markers CD24, ESA, CD44, and CD34 in human cancer of biliary tract

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of cancer stem cells markers CD24,ESA, CD44, and CD34 in human cancer of biliary tract, and to definite whether these markers can be used to sort the cancer stem cells of the biliary tract cancer. Methods The expression rate of these cancer stem cell makers in cell lines and tissue of human cancer of biliary tract was detected by using immunohistochemistry and flow cytomytry. Results The protein expression of CD24, CD44, and ESA could be detected in both cell lines and the tissue of human cancer of biliary tract. The mean expression rate of CD24~+ CD44~+ESA~+ cells in eholangiocacinoma cell line QBC939 and carcinoma of gallbladder cell line GBC-SD was 86.1% and 92. 7% respectively, and that in tissue of cholangiocacinoma and gallbladder cancers was 0.62% and 0. 83% respectively. CD34 could not be detected in the biliary tract cancer. Conclusion CD24,CD44 and ESA are the markers of the pancreatic cancer stem cells and the breast cancer stem cells. The expression rate of these markers in human biliary tract cancer is similar to that in the pancreatic and breast cancers. CD24, CD44, and ESA may be the markers of human biliary tract cancer stem cells. Key words: Tumor stem cell; Biliary tract tumor; Marker