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Spatial distribution of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Author(s) -
Hildebrand Laura C.,
Carvalho Ana L.,
Lauxen Isabel S.,
Nör Jacques E.,
Cerski Carlos T. S.,
Sant'Ana Filho Manoel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12169
Subject(s) - pathology , immunostaining , grading (engineering) , metastasis , cancer stem cell , tumor progression , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , epithelium , cancer , medicine , immunohistochemistry , head and neck cancer , biology , ecology
Background CD 44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 ( ALDH 1) are considered putative markers of highly tumorigenic cells (i.e., cancer stem‐like cells) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. This small subset of cells is believed to be the primary responsible for tumor initiation and progression. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the patterns of CD 44 and ALDH 1 expression in the tumor center and in the invasive front, as well as in adjacent non‐tumor epithelium, and (ii) to correlate these findings with clinical parameters. Materials and methods The sample comprised 44 patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Hematoxylin and eosin ( HE ) staining was used for histopathological tumor grading and for morphological analysis of adjacent non‐tumor epithelium. Semiquantitative analysis was performed in histological sections immunostained for CD 44 and ALDH 1. Results ALDH 1 immunostaining in the invasive front showed positive association with tumor size, regional metastasis, tumor histopathological grading, and disease progression. Moreover, expression of this marker in both tumor invasive front and adjacent non‐tumor epithelium was related with more aggressive tumors. CD 44 immunostaining was heterogeneous in all areas evaluated and did not show association with clinical data. Conclusion Collectively, these data suggest that ALDH 1 immunostaining in the invasive front and in adjacent non‐tumor epithelium may help identify tumors with a more aggressive behavior, potentially contributing to improving treatment customization and the monitoring of patients with head and neck cancer.