Cancer stem cells: Mediators of tumorigenesis and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 3 (25th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chinn, Steven B.; Darr, Owen A.; Owen, John H.; Bellile, Emily; McHugh, Jonathan B.; Spector, Matthew E.; Papagerakis, Silvana M.; Chepeha, Douglas B.; Bradford, Carol R.; Carey, Thomas E.; Prince, Mark E. P.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 37:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 326
• Publication Date: 2014-03-25
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="hed23600-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of cells responsible for tumor growth. Their role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumorigenesis and metastasis remains uncertain.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23600-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Wound healing and an orthotopic animal model were used to study cells expressing the CSC phenotype (CD44<sup>high</sup> and aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH]<sup>+</sup>) and assess mobility, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. A prospective collection of 40 patient‐derived primary HNSCC specimens were analyzed for CSC‐proportion compared to clinical variables.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23600-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>CSCs exhibited significantly faster wound closure and greater tumorigenesis and regional metastasis in vivo than non‐CSCs. In primary patient tumors, size and advanced stage were correlated with elevated proportion of CSCs, however, not with survival.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23600-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>HNSCC stem cells mediate tumorigenesis and regional metastasis in vivo. In primary patient tumors, CSC‐proportion was associated with tumor size and stage, but not with metastatic spread or survival. CSC burden alone may only represent a minor variable in understanding CSCs and metastasis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. <italic>Head Neck</italic> 37: 317–326, 2015</p> </sec> </abstract>