Differential in vivo tumorigenicity of distinct subpopulations from a luminal-like breast cancer xenograft.

ABSTRACT: Intratumor heterogeneity caused by genetic, phenotypic or functional differences between cancer cell subpopulations is a considerable clinical challenge. Understanding subpopulation dynamics is therefore central for both optimization of existing therapy and for development of new treatment. The aim of this study was to isolate subpopulations from a primary tumor and by comparing molecular characteristics of these subpopulations, find explanations to their differing tumorigenicity. Cell subpopulations from two patient derived in vivo models of primary breast cancer, ER+ and ER-, were identified. EpCAM+ cells from the ER+ model gave rise to tumors independently of stroma cell support. The tumorigenic fraction was further divided based on SSEA-4 and CD24 expression. Both markers were expresse

SUBMITTER: Skrbo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4242648 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature