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Identification of a subpopulation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with cancer stem‐like cell properties by high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity
Author(s) -
Yu Fenggang,
Sim Adrian Chong Nyi,
Li Chunwei,
Li Yingying,
Zhao Xuening,
Wang DeYun,
Loh Kwok Seng
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24003
Subject(s) - cancer stem cell , aldehyde dehydrogenase , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , stem cell , clonogenic assay , cancer research , cancer cell , side population , biology , cancer , population , cell culture , cell , immunology , medicine , radiation therapy , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , biochemistry , genetics , environmental health
Objectives/Hypothesis Cancer stem cells have been reported as a new therapeutic target in many cancers, but their existence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is largely unknown. This study was conducted to determine cancer stem‐like cells in NPC cell line. Study Design Basic science experimental study. Methods Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, a putative functional marker for cancer stem cells, was assessed in Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated NPC cell line C666‐1 cells. The ability of cells with high and low ALDH activity to proliferate, resist therapy, and initiate tumor formation was compared. Results Enrichment of cancer stem‐like cells (with high ALDH activity) in C666‐1 was associated with a significantly greater ability to proliferate, be clonogenic, resist chemotherapy drugs and radiation, reconstitute a heterogeneous population, and express pluripotent markers. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of these cells into immunodeficient nude mice resulted in a tendency of tumor formation at a higher rate as compared to cells with low ALDH activity. Conclusions These results provide evidence for the existence of cancer stem‐like cells in the NPC cell line C666‐1 cells. Laryngoscope, 123:1903–1911, 2013