AMPK promotes the survival of colorectal cancer stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in females worldwide in 2012. In the past 20 years, strong evidence suggests that cancer stem cells are the main culprit of cancer metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and relapse.

Methods

To further understand the unique biological properties of cancer stem cells and uncover novel molecular targets to eradicate them, we first established a panel of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models using tumors surgically removed from human colorectal cancer patients. We then isolated CRC cancer stem cells based on their ALDH activity using fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) and characterized their metabolic properties.

Results

Interestingly, we found that the CRC

SUBMITTER: Guo B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6388072 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature