Cancer Stem-like Cells Markers Research Articles

Age-related increase in colorectal cancer stem cells in macroscopically normal mucosa of patients with adenomas: A risk factor for colon cancer

It is becoming increasingly evident that cancer stem cells play a vital role in development and progression of cancers and relapse following chemotherapy. The present study examines the presence of cancer stem-like cells (CSC) in adenomatous polyps and in normal appearing colonic mucosa in humans during aging. The number of polyps was found to increase linearly with advancing age ( r 2 = 0.92, p < 0.02). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed co-localization of CSC markers CD44 and CD166 in colonic polyps. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of normal appearing mucosa from subjects with adenomatous polyps showed an age-related rise in CSC as evidenced by the increased expression of CD44, CD166 and ESA. A similar phenomenon was also observed for EGFR. In addition, the expression each CSC marker was found to be about 2-fold higher in subjects with 3–4 polyps than those with 1–2 polyps. In conclusion, our results show that colon cancer stem-like cells are present in the premalignant adenomatous polyps as well in normal appearing colonic mucosa. Moreover, our observation of the age-related rise in CSC in macroscopically normal colonic mucosa suggests a predisposition of the organ to developing colorectal cancer.

Identification of CD133-Positive Radioresistant Cells in Atypical Teratoid/ Rhabdoid Tumor

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is an extremely malignant neoplasm in the central nervous system (CNS) which occurs in infancy and childhood. Recent studies suggested that CD133 could be considered a marker for brain cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). However, the role of CD133 in AT/RT has never been investigated. Herein we report the isolation of CD133-positive cells (CD133+), found to have the potential to differentiate into three germ layer tissues, from tissues of nine AT/RT patients. The migration/invasion/malignancy and radioresistant capabilities of CD133+ were significantly augmented when compared to CD133−. The clinical data showed that the amount of CD133+ in AT/RTs correlated positively with the degree of resistance to radiation therapy. Using cDNA microarray analysis, the genotoxic–response profiles of CD133+ and CD133− irradiated with 10 Gy ionizing radiation (IR) were analyzed 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-IR. We then validated these microarray data and showed increased phosphorylation after IR of p-ATM, p-RAD17, and p-CHX2 as well as increased expression of BCL-2 protein in CD133+ compared to CD133−. Furthermore, we found that CD133+ can effectively resist IR with cisplatin- and/or TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the up-regulated expression of p-ATM and BCL-2 proteins in IR-treated CD133+ xenotransgrafts in SCID mice but not in IR-treated CD133−. Importantly, the effect of IR in CD133+ transplanted mice can be significantly improved by a combination of BCL-2 siRNA with debromohymenialdisine, an inhibitor of checkpoint kinases. In sum, this is the first report indicating that CD133+ AT/RT cells demonstrate the characteristics of CSCs. The IR-resistant and anti-apoptotic properties in CD133+ may reflect the clinical refractory malignancy of AT/RTs and thus the activated p-ATM pathway and BCL-2 expression in CD133+ could be possible targets to improve future treatment of deadly diseases like AT/RT.