Self-renewal and chemotherapy resistance of p75NTR positive cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas
2009

Study on p75NTR Positive Cells in Esophageal Cancer

Sample size: 100 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Huang Sheng-Dong, Yuan Yang, Liu Xiao-Hong, Gong De-Jun, Bai Chen-Guang, Wang Feng, Luo Jun-Hui, Xu Zhi-Yun

Primary Institution: Institute of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China

Hypothesis

The study investigates the expression of p75NTR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and explores the biological properties of p75NTR+ cells.

Conclusion

p75NTR+ cells exhibit characteristics of cancer stem cells, including self-renewal and resistance to chemotherapy.

Supporting Evidence

  • p75NTR was mainly found in immature cells and absent in terminally differentiated cells.
  • p75NTR+ cells showed higher expression of Bmi-1, associated with self-renewal.
  • p75NTR+ cells were more resistant to DDP and had lower CTR1 expression.

Takeaway

Some cells in esophageal cancer can grow and resist treatment better than others, which might help explain why some cancers come back after treatment.

Methodology

The study used immunohistochemistry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and various assays to analyze p75NTR+ and p75NTR- cells from ESCC cell lines.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in patient selection and the interpretation of immunohistochemical results.

Limitations

The study is limited to a specific population and may not be generalizable to all esophageal cancer patients.

Participant Demographics

100 patients with histopathologically confirmed ESCC, no prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.008 for age correlation, 0.004 for tumor diameter, 0.001 for pathological grade.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-9-9

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