Tumor initiating cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas express high levels of CD44.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) is a major subtype of esophageal cancer causing significant morbility and mortality in Asia. Mechanism of initiation and progression of this disease is unclear. Tumor initiating cells (TICs) are the subpopulation of cells which have the ability to self-renew, as well as, to drive initiation and progression of cancer. Increasing evidence has shown that TICs exist in a variety of tumors. However, the identification and characterization of TICs in esophageal carcinoma has remained elusive.

Methodology/principal findings

to identify TICs in ESCC, ESCC cell lines including two primary cells were used for screening suitable surface marker. Then colony formation assay, drug resistant assay and tumorigenicity assay in immune defic

SUBMITTER: Zhao JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3123317 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature