Drug-Selected Human Lung Cancer Stem Cells: Cytokine Network, Tumorigenic and Metastatic Properties
2008

Drug-Selected Human Lung Cancer Stem Cells: Cytokine Network, Tumorigenic and Metastatic Properties

Sample size: 5 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Levina Vera, Marrangoni Adele M., DeMarco Richard, Gorelik Elieser, Lokshin Anna E.

Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Hypothesis

We hypothesize that CSCs can be enriched and subsequently isolated from tumor cell populations following drug treatment.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy can lead to propagation of CSCs and prevention of their differentiation, which is associated with high tumorigenic and metastatic potentials.

Supporting Evidence

  • Drug surviving cells (DSCs) expressed markers associated with cancer stem cells.
  • DSCs demonstrated high tumorigenic and metastatic potential in SCID mice.
  • CSCs produced elevated levels of multiple cytokines and growth factors.

Takeaway

This study shows that some cancer cells can survive chemotherapy and act like stem cells, helping tumors grow back and spread.

Methodology

Lung tumor cells were treated with chemotherapy drugs, and the surviving cells were analyzed for stem cell characteristics and cytokine production.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003077

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