Open AccessNucleostemin and TWIST as predictive markers for recurrence after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal carcinoma
Author(s) -
Nakajima Takako E.,
Yoshida Hiroshi,
Okamoto Naoko,
Nagashima Kengo,
Taniguchi Hirokazu,
Yamada Yasuhide,
Shimoda Tadakazu,
Masutomi Kenkichi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.02142.x
Subject(s) - cd44 , radioresistance , cancer research , immunohistochemistry , biology , chemotherapy , cancer stem cell , stem cell , pathology , cell , medicine , radiation therapy , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
We recently demonstrated that overexpression of the nucleolar GTP‐binding protein nucleostemin drives the fraction of genetically‐defined tumor cells that exhibit markers and tumorigenic properties of tumor initiating cells. More specifically, cells that constitutively express elevated levels of nucleostemin exhibit increased TWIST expression; expression of genes that induced pluripotent stem cells; enhanced radioresistance; tumor formation, even when small numbers of cells are implanted; and an increased propensity to metastasize. An immunohistochemical analysis of cancer stem cell markers, such as nucleostemin and TWIST has not been conducted in surgically‐resected esophageal squamous cell carcinomas after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the present study, we examined the expression of CD133, CD44, nucleostemin, guanine nucleotide‐binding protein‐like 3‐like, and TWIST by immunohistochemistry in a series of 54 surgically‐resected specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We identified that high nucleostemin proportion, TWIST intensity, and advanced pathological N stage were significantly correlated with poor relapse‐free survival. Together, these observations imply nucleostemin and TWIST as the predictive markers for postoperative recurrence. ( Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 233–238)