Holoclone Forming Cells from Pancreatic Cancer Cells Enrich Tumor Initiating Cells and Represent a Novel Model for Study of Cancer Stem Cells
2011

Holoclones Enrich Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Tan Lei, Sui Xin, Deng Hongkui, Ding Mingxiao

Primary Institution: College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China

Hypothesis

The study aims to identify holoclone-forming pancreatic cancer stem cells and develop an in vitro continuous colony formation system.

Conclusion

Holoclones derived from pancreatic cancer cells are enriched with tumor-initiating cells that exhibit high levels of chemoresistance.

Supporting Evidence

  • Holoclones generated a high percentage of progeny holoclones at the first round of passage.
  • Cells in holoclones showed more robustness and constant proliferation compared to mero- and paraclones.
  • Holoclones initiated tumor development in vivo while mero- and paraclones did not.

Takeaway

This study found that certain cells in pancreatic cancer can grow into special clusters called holoclones, which are really good at surviving and causing tumors.

Methodology

Pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC3 was cultivated monoclonally to generate colonies, which were then analyzed for their capacities of secondary colony formation, long-term survival, tumor formation, and drug resistance.

Participant Demographics

The pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC3 was derived from primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023383

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