Cancer Stem-like Side Population Research Articles

βArrestin-1 and Mcl-1 Modulate Self-Renewal Growth of Cancer Stem-Like Side-Population Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Side population (SP) cells have been reported to have properties of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), yet their molecular features have not been fully elucidated. Here we show that, NSCLC-SP cells were enriched in G0/G­1 phase of cell cycle, had higher aldehyde dehydrogenase activity as well as higher clonogenic and self-renewing ability compared to main population (MP) cells. Interestingly, SP cells were also able to trans-differentiate into angiogenic tubules in vitro and were highly tumorigenic as compared to MP cells. SP-derived tumors demonstrated the intratumoral heterogeneity comprising of both SP and MP cells, suggesting the self-renewal and differentiation ability of SP cells are manifested in vivo as well. βArrestin-1 (βArr1) is involved in the progression of various cancers including NSCLCs and we find that depletion of βArr1 significantly blocked the SP phenotype; whereas depletion of βArr2 had relatively minor effects. Ectopic expression of βArr1 resulted in increased SP frequency and ABCG2 expression while abrogation of βArr1 expression suppressed the self-renewal growth and expansion of A549 cells. Anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 is known to be one of the key regulators of self-renewal of tissue stem cells and is thought to contribute to survival of NSCLC cells. Our experiments show that higher levels of Mcl-1 were expressed in SP cells compared to MP cells at both transcriptional and translational levels. In addition, Obatoclax, a pharmacological inhibitor of Mcl-1, could effectively prevent the self-renewal of both EGFR-inhibitor sensitive and resistant NSCLC cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that βArr1 and Mcl-1 are involved in the self-renewal and expansion of NSCLC-CSCs and are potential targets for anti-cancer therapy.

Honokiol Eliminates Human Oral Cancer Stem-Like Cells Accompanied with Suppression of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Apoptosis Induction

Honokiol, an active compound of Magnolia officinalis, exerted many anticancer effects on various types of cancer cells. We explored its effects on the elimination of cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells in human oral squamous cell carcinoma SAS cells. The sorted SP cells possessed much higher expression of stemness genes, such as ABCG2, ABCC5, EpCAM, OCT-4, CD133, CD44, and β-catenin, and more clonogenicity as compared with the Non-SP cells. After 48 h of treatment, honokiol dose dependently reduced the proportion of SP from 2.53% to 0.09%. Apoptosis of honokiol-treated SP cells was evidenced by increased annexin V staining and cleaved caspase-3 as well as decreased Survivin and Bcl-2. Mechanistically, honokiol inhibited the CD44 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling of SP cells. The Wnt signaling transducers such as β-catenin and TCF-4 were decreased in honokiol-treated SP cells, while the β-catenin degradation promoting kinase GSK-3α/β was increased. Consistently, the protein levels of β-catenin downstream targets such as c-Myc and Cyclin D1 were also downregulated. Furthermore, the β-catenin-related EMT markers such as Slug and Snail were markedly suppressed by honokiol. Our findings indicate honokiol may be able to eliminate oral cancer stem cells through apoptosis induction, suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and inhibition of EMT.

Emodin As an Effective Agent in Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Side Population Cells of Gallbladder Carcinoma

Side population (SP) cells are previously identified from bone marrow based on their capacity to efflux of the fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342. Recent studies demonstrate that SP cells isolated from various cancer cell lines and primary tumors possess stem-cell-like properties. Thus, targeting tumor SP cells may provide new strategies for treatment in clinic. We previously showed that 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone (emodin), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator, enhanced sensitivity of gallbladder cancer SGC-996 cells to cisplatin (CDDP) via generation of ROS and downregulation of multidrug-resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1). To determine whether emodin also acts effectively on cancer stem cells of gallbladder carcinoma, we use SP cells as a model of cancer stem-cell-like cells. Here, we found that emodin, via ROS-related mechanism and suppressing the function of ATP-binding cassette super-family G member (ABCG2), which is known to be associated with Hoechst dye efflux activity of SP cells, not only reduced the ratio, inhibited clone formation, and eliminated sphere formation of SP cells effectively, but also promoted obviously the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin, the main substrate of the efflux pump ABCG2. In addition, emodin could sensitize CDDP, via inhibition of expression of ABCG2, to overcome chemoresistance of SP cells. Importantly, similar to the experiment in vitro, emodin/CDDP co-treatment in vivo suppressed the tumor growth derived from SP cells through downregulating ABCG2 expression. Our results suggest that emodin is an effective agent targeting cancer stem-like SP cells of gallbladder carcinoma, either alone or acts as a chemotherapy enhancer.

Cytoplasmic NANOG-Positive Stromal Cells Promote Human Cervical Cancer Progression

Tumor development has long been known to resemble abnormal embryogenesis. The embryonic stem cell gene NANOG, a divergent homeodomain transcription factor that is independent of leukemia inhibitory factor, has been reported to be expressed in germ cells and in several tumor types. However, the short-term expression and role of NANOG in cervical cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate that NANOG exhibits cellular shuttling behavior and increasing stromal distribution during the progression of cervical cancer. Our molecular data using RT-PCR and restriction enzyme digestion show that NANOG is mainly transcribed from the NANOG gene in cervical cancer. In addition, IHC using confocal microscopy suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one type of cytoplasmic NANOG-positive cells in cervical cancer stroma. Co-culture of cervical cancer-derived MSCs with SiHa cells showed increased proliferation characteristics in vitro and enhanced tumor growth in vivo. Our results show, for the first time to our knowledge, that MSCs are a source of cytoplasmic NANOG expression in the cervical cancer stroma and that they participate in the progression of cervical cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides evidence that NANOG is a cervical cancer progression marker and also serves as a starting point for a more extensive exploration of the cellular translocation of NANOG and the multifunctionality of the stromal microenvironment.

Notch inhibition suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma by depleting cancer stem-like side population cells

The cancer stem cell (CSC) is responsible for the initiation, proliferation and radiation resistance. Side population (SP) cells are a rare subset of cells enriched with CSCs. The targeting of key signaling pathways that are active in CSCs is a therapeutic approach to treating cancer. Notch signaling is important for the self-renewal and maintenance of stem cells. Our previous studies demonstrated that downregulation of Notch signaling could enhance radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. In this study, we found that Notch signaling was highly activated in SP cells compared with that of non-SP (NSP) cells of NPC. Therefore, Notch inhibition could reduce the proportion of SP cells. As SP cells decreased, proliferation, anti-apoptosis and tumorigenesis were also decreased. This study shows that Notch inhibition may be a promising clinical approach in CSC-targeting therapy for NPC.

Cancer stem-like side population cells in the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line cne-2 possess epithelial mesenchymal transition properties in association with metastasis

It has been recently reported that side population (SP) cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines display characteristics of cancer stem-like cells. However, the biological behavior and the significance of these cells for NPC progression remain unclear. In this study, we isolated SP cells from the NPC cell line CNE-2 by flow cytometry and investigated their biological characteristics. We discovered that SP cells had stronger colony forming abilities compared to the non-side population (NSP) cells, and observed that some SP cells looked more like the shape of mesenchymal cells when cultured in the common polyHEMA-coated flask. When checked by quantitative real-time PCR, the SP cells expressed higher levels of stemness-related genes Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog, and mesenchymal cell-related genes N-cadherin, vimentin and Snail, while they expressed lower levels of the epithelial cell-related gene, E-cadherin. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining methods further verified that SP cells expressed higher vimentin and expressed lower E-cadherin levels. Finally, Transwell invasion assay results indicated that the SP cells had higher invasive potential compared to NSP cells. Collectively, our data reveal that SP cells in the CNE-2 cell line not only possess the properties of cancer stem cells, but also have more mesenchymal cell characteristics which are associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. These findings are helpful for developing novel targets for effective clinical treatment of NPC.

Isolation and characterization of side population cells in human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823

Isolate and characterize the side population (SP) cells with potency of stem cells from human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823. SP and non-SP cells were sorted from BGC-823 cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using Hoechst33342 staining. The tumorigenic ability of the SP cells was assessed by in vivo transplantation into non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. SP cells were isolated from BGC-823 cells in a proportion of 0.9% to 2.1% with respect to the whole cell population. The colony formation assay showed that the colony formation rate of the SP cells was significantly higher than that of the non-SP cells (72.56% vs. 49.00%, P < 0.01). The drug sensitivity test showed that the SP cells showed stronger drug resistance to 5-Fu than the non-SP cells. The in vivo transplantation of SP cells in mice showed that the tumor weight was (0.176 ± 0.034) g, significantly higher than that of non-SP cells (0.045 ± 0.046) g (P < 0.01). The results of this study indicate the existence of cancer stem-like SP cells in the human gastric cancer line BGC-823 cells. Further characterization of this SP cell population may provide new insights for diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.

MicroRNA expression profiling identifies miR-328 regulates cancer stem cell-like SP cells in colorectal cancer

Background:Side population (SP) cells and their relationship to stem cell-like properties have been insufficiently studied in colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted much attention but their roles in the maintenance of SP phenotype remain unclear.Methods:The SPs from CRC cell lines and primary cell cultures were analysed for stem cell-like properties. MiRNA microarray analysis identified miR-328 as a potential stemness miRNA of SP phenotype. The level of miR-328 expression in clinical samples and its correlation with SP fraction were determined. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies were performed to examine its roles in cancer stem-like SP cells. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation were used to identify miR-328 target genes.Results:The SP cells sorted from CRC possess cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, including self-renewal, differentiation, resistance to chemotherapy, invasive and strong tumour formation ability. MiR-328 expression was significantly reduced in SP cells compared with Non-SP cells (P<0.05). Moreover, miR-328 expression was downregulated in CRC (n=33, P<0.05) and low miR-328 expression tend to correlate with high SP fraction (n=15, r=0.6559, P<0.05, Pearson's correlation). Functional studies indicated that miR-328 expression affects the number of SP cells. In addition, miR-328 overexpression reversed drug resistance and inhibited cell invasion of SP cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-328 directly targets ABCG2 and MMP16 and affects the levels of mRNA and protein expression in SP cells.Conclusion:These findings indicate that CRC contain cancer stem-like SP cells. MiR-328 has an important role in maintaining cancer stem-like SP phenotype that may be a potential target for effective CRC therapy.

Reduced miR-31 and let-7 maintain the balance between differentiation and quiescence in lung cancer stem-like side population cells

Recent studies have indicated that side population (SP) cells, which are an enriched source of cancer stem cells (CSCs), drive and maintain many types of human malignancies. SP cells have distinguishing biological characteristics and are thought to contribute to metastasis, therapy resistance, and tumor recurrence. In the present study, the miRNA expression profiles of SP cells and non-SP cells were compared using miRNA array analysis. Both let-7 and miR-31 were significantly down-regulated in SP cells compared to non-SP cells. The results were confirmed by real-time PCR. Engineered repression of miR-31 caused marked repression of both lung cancer SP cell and non-SP cell growth in vitro. In contrast, engineered repression of let-7 caused marked promotion of both lung cancer SP and non-SP cells growth in vitro. Cell cycle studies further revealed that reduced miR-31 could inhibit SP cell proliferation by a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, whereas reduced let-7 induced SP cell proliferation by accelerating G1/S phase transition. Notably, reduced miR-31 prevented SP cell differentiation, whereas reduced let-7 promoted SP cell differentiation under differentiation conditions. These findings indicate that reduced miR-31 and let-7 are involved in maintaining the balance between differentiation and quiescence in SP cells.

Elimination of Cancer Stem-Like “Side Population” Cells in Hepatoma Cell Lines by Chinese Herbal Mixture “Tien-Hsien Liquid”

There are increasing pieces of evidence suggesting that the recurrence of cancer may result from a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells, which are resistant to the conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We investigated the effects of Chinese herbal mixture Tien-Hsien Liquid (THL) on the cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells isolated from human hepatoma cells. After sorting and subsequent culture, the SP cells from Huh7 hepatoma cells appear to have higher clonogenicity and mRNA expressions of stemness genes such as SMO, ABCG2, CD133, β-catenin, and Oct-4 than those of non-SP cells. At dose of 2 mg/mL, THL reduced the proportion of SP cells in HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 cells from 1.33% to 0.49%, 1.55% to 0.43%, and 1.69% to 0.27%, respectively. The viability and colony formation of Huh7 SP cells were effectively suppressed by THL dose-dependently, accompanied with the inhibition of stemness genes, e.g., ABCG2, CD133, and SMO. The tumorigenicity of THL-treated Huh7 SP cells in NOD/SCID mice was also diminished. Moreover, combination with THL could synergize the effect of doxorubicin against Huh7 SP cells. Our data indicate that THL may act as a cancer stem cell targeting therapeutics and be regarded as complementary and integrative medicine in the treatment of hepatoma.

Isolation and characterization of cancer stem-like side population cells in human oral cancer cells

Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cells may be responsible for tumorigenesis and contribute to some individuals' resistance to cancer therapy. Some studies demonstrate that side population (SP) cells isolated from diverse cancer cell lines harbor stem cell-like properties; however, there are few reports examining the role of SP cells in human oral cancer. To determine whether human oral cancer cell lines contain a SP cell fraction, we first isolated SP cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting, followed by culturing in serum-free medium (SFM) using the SCC25 tongue cancer cell line, so that SP cells were able to be propagated to maintain the CSC property. Differential expression profile of stem cell markers (ABCG2, Oct-4 and EpCAM) was examined by RT-PCR in either SP cells or non-SP cells. Growth inhibition by 5-FU was determined by the MTT assay. Clonogenic ability was evaluated by colony formation assay. SCC25 cells contained 0.23% SP cells. The fraction of SP cells was available to grow in SFM cultures. SP cells showed higher mRNA expression of stem cell markers (ABCG2, Oct-4 and EpCAM) as compared with non-SP cells. Moreover, SP cells demonstrated more drug resistance to 5-FU, as compared with non-SP cells. The clone formation efficiency of SP cells was significantly higher than non-SP cells at an equal cell number (P<0.01). We isolated cancer stem-like SP cells from an oral cancer cell line. SP cells possessed the characteristics of cancer stem cells, chemoresistance, and high proliferation ability. Further characterization of cancer stem-like SP cells may provide new insights for novel therapeutic targets.

Abstract 3778: Induction of autophagy and elimination of cancer stem-like cell in glioblastoma multiforme cells by a Magnolia officinalis active component honokiol

Abstract The anticancer effects of honokiol, an active component isolated from Chinese traditional herb Magnolia officinalis, had been noticed in recent decade. It had been reported to induce apoptosis, anti-agiogenesis and chemo/radio-sensitization on cancer cells. However, its effects on autophagy induction and cancer stem cell elimination have not yet been investigated. To more evaluate the potential of honokiol in cancer therapy, we explored its effects on these two critical events in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) DBTRG-05MG cells. The honokiol-induced autophagy was evidenced by the time and dose-dependent increase of LC3-II in treated cells. During this autophagy induction, the phosphorylated AMP-dependent kinase alpha was dose-dependently increased in accompany with the decrease of phosphorylated mTOR protein level. In addition, the phosphorylated p38 was also markedly increased parallel with the elevation of LC3-II. Further investigation on the role of this MAPK p38 pathway in honokiol-induced autophagy is ongoing. In accordance with the growth inhibition and massive cell death induced by high dose of honokiol (50 μM), the phsphorylated Akt and Rb were dramatically suppressed in treated cells. As it is suggested that autophagy is a protective response of cancer cell to environmental stress, an autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine was therefore co-administrated to enhance the effects of honokiol against GBM cells. Significantly, hydroxychloroquine augmented the honokiol-induced cell death, indicating the crucial role of autophagy in honokiol-induced anticancer effects. Moreover, honokiol appeared to have effects on the elimination of cancer stem-like cells. By UV laser-equipped flow cytometer, a small percentage of cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells was detected and sorted from another GBM cell line (GBM 8401). The expressions of stemness genes such as CD133, nestin, Oct4, NOTCH3, IHH and SMO in SP cells were much higher than those in non-SP cells. Treatment with honokiol (5 μM) for 48h decreased the percentage of GBM 8401 SP cells from 1.5% down to 0.2%. These results suggested the potential role of honokiol in GBM treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3778. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3778

Ovarian cancer stem-like side-population cells are tumourigenic and chemoresistant

Background:Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. Although ovarian cancer patients often respond initially to chemotherapy, they usually develop chemoresistance. We hypothesised that a small portion of ovarian cancer cells have stem-like cell properties that contribute to tumourigenesis and drug resistance.Methods:Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 efflux isolated side-population (SP) cells from ascites derived from ovarian cancer patients and from mice inoculated with human ovarian cancer cell lines. The SP cells were examined for stem cell markers OCT4, NANOG, STELLAR, and ABCG2/BCRP1 by immunocytochemistry and RT–PCR. The SP cells and non-SP cells were studied for tumourigenesis and chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo.Results:The SP cells expressed ABCG2/BCRP1, OCT4, STELLAR, and NANOG, detected by immunocytochemistry and RT–PCR. ABCG2/BCRP1 expression was higher in SP than in non-SP cells. Xenogeneic mice inoculated with SP cells yielded more tumours than did mice inoculated with non-SP cells. In parallel, SP cell culture resulted in extensive cell proliferation, which was markedly more than in non-SP cells. SP cells resisted chemotherapy compared with non-SP cells, both in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion:Ovarian cancer SP cells are tumourigenic and chemoresistant. ABCG2/BCRP1 has an important role in chemoresistance, which has implications for new therapeutic approaches.

Identification of Cancer Stem-like Side Population Cells in Ovarian Cancer Cell Line OVCAR-3

Side population (SP) cells may enrich stem-like cells in many normal and malignant tissues. However, SP method application has drawn special attention to the field of stem cell research, and the existence of SP cells in cell culture is being debated, most probably because different cell lines require different technical modifications, especially when cell staining is considered. In this study, the authors aimed to disclose whether the hoechst33342 staining required extensive optimization for identifying SP cells in the human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3. After systematic evaluations, it was found that only 2.5 microg/mL hoechst33342 staining of the cells for 60 min could get an ideal SP population, which accounted for 0.9% of the whole cell population. The sorted SP cells showed significantly higher colony formation efficiency than the non-side population (NSP) cells, and only the SP cells could form holoclones. Real-time PCR disclosed that SP cells expressed higher levels of "stemness" gene Oct3/4 than the NSP cells did, indicating that the SP cells might harbor cancer stem cells in this cell line. The results highlight the necessity of SP method optimization in cell studies, and the SP cells in this cell line merit further studies when cancer stem cell identification and isolation are considered.

Isolation and identiffcation of cancer stem-like side population cells in pancreatic cancer

Objective To isolate and identify side population(SP)cells in pancreatic cancer.Methods We detected the number of SP cells in 5 pancreatic cancer cell lines and 3 clinical samples by Hoechst33342 dyeing and FACS analysis.The clone formation efficiency and tumorigenicity were compared between SP cels and non-SP ceils by clone formation assay and NOD/SCID xenograft transplantation experiment.The differentiation ability of SP ceils was studied by flow cytometry reanalysis of SP-derived tumors and cultured SP ceils.Results All cell lines and clinical samples were found to exhibit verapamilsensitive SP cells except BXPC-3.Using SP cells sorted from PANC-1 as a model.SP ceUs were demonstratcd to exhibit higher colony-formation ability than non-SP cells [(43.67±3.10)% vs (8.33±1.63)%.P＜0.01].And flow cytometry reanalysis indicated SP ceHs could generate both SP and non-SP cells with a fraction size comparable with the original population.In addition.SP cells were enriched in tumorigenicity by at least 100-fold compared with non-SP cells.and had the capacity to generate nontumorigenic non-SP cells through asymmetrical cell division in vivo.Conclusion SP phenotype iS a potential marker for pancreatic cancer stem cells. Key words: Pancreatic carcinoma; Tumor stem cells; Identifieation

Identification of Cancer Stem-like Side Population Cells in Ovarian Cancer Cell Line OVCAR-3

ABSTRACTSide population (SP) cells may enrich stem-like cells in many normal and malignant tissues. However, SP method application has drawn special attention to the field of stem cell research, and the existence of SP cells in cell culture is being debated, most probably because different cell lines require different technical modifications, especially when cell staining is considered. In this study, the authors aimed to disclose whether the hoechst33342 staining required extensive optimization for identifying SP cells in the human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3. After systematic evaluations, it was found that only 2.5μg/mL hoechst33342 staining of the cells for 60 min could get an ideal SP population, which accounted for 0.9% of the whole cell population. The sorted SP cells showed significantly higher colony formation efficiency than the non-side population (NSP) cells, and only the SP cells could form holoclones. Real-time PCR disclosed that SP cells expressed higher levels of “stemness” gene Oct3/4 than the NSP cells did, indicating that the SP cells might harbor cancer stem cells in this cell line. The results highlight the necessity of SP method optimization in cell studies, and the SP cells in this cell line merit further studies when cancer stem cell identification and isolation are considered.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is critical for survival and proliferation of pancreatic cancer stem-like side population cells

To isolate and identify the side population (SP) cells in pancreatic cancer and investigate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) pathway in the survival and proliferation of them. Pancreatic cancer cell of the lines PANC-1, BXPC-3, ASPC-1, PC-3, and SW-1990 were cultured. Hoechst 33432 staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) were used to sort the SP cells. Verapamil, inhibitor of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter, was added before the Hoechst 33342 inoculation to observe its influence on the SP proportion. Media with LY294002, specific inhibitor of P13K, or rapamycin, specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), were used to culture PANC-1 cells to observe the survival of cells. Twenty-one NOD-SCID mice were randomly divided into 7 equal groups. Four groups were inoculated subcutaneously with SP cells of the concentrations of 5x10(5), 5x10(4), 5x10(3), or 1x10(3) at the right axillary fossa and with non-SP cells at the left then Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometric sorting were used to detect the content of SP cells at the left axillary fossa. The other 3 groups were injected subcutaneously with non-Hoechst 33342 treated cells of the concentrations of 5x10(5), 5x10(4), 5x10(3), or 1x10(3) at the right axillary fossa and PBS at the left axillary fossa. Ten weeks later the mice were killed to undergo pathological examination. All cell lines were found to exhibit verapamil-sensitive SP cells except BXPC-3 cells. The SP cell proportion of the PANC-1 cells was 7.84%. No SP cell was found in the cells treated with verapamil. The colony-formation ability of the SP cells was (43.7+/-3.1)%, significantly higher than those of the non-SP cells and cells without Hoechst 33342 cells [(8.3+/-1.6)% and (10.2+/-1.9)% respectively, both P=0.000]. The tumorigenic ability of the SP cells was 100 times as those of the non-SP cells and Hoechst 33342 un-treated cells. After addition of LY294002 and rapamycin the fractions of the SP cells in the in PANC-1 cells decreased from (7.60+/-0.27)% to (1.90+/-0.22)% and (1.14+/-0.20)% respectively, both P=0.000, and they preferentially inhibited the SP cells rather than non-SP cells. SP cells are enriched in pancreatic cancer stem-like cells. PI3K/mTOR pathway is critical for pancreatic SP cells maintenance that can be selected as a new target for inhibiting cancer stem-like cells.