Sphere‑forming assay vs. organoid culture: Determining long‑term stemness and the chemoresistant capacity of primary colorectal cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: Three‑dimensional (3D) cultures are indispensable for capturing tumor heterogeneity in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro. Although 3D cultures (such as sphere‑forming assay and organoid culture) can partially preserve the morphological and molecular characteristics of primary CRC, whether these 3D cultures maintain the long‑term stemness of cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains largely unknown. In the present study, spheres and organoids were generated side by side using individual primary CRC specimens, then respectively processed as serial passages. The results revealed that during serial passages, the percentage of CSCs (such as cluster of differentiation‑133+ and Wnt+ cells) in organoids and the tumor‑initiating capacity of organoid‑derived cells were constant, while they gradually increased

SUBMITTER: Zhao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6365025 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature