Stem Cells Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stem Cells, including details on research, transplants, therapy, benefits.

Significance of CD90(+) Cancer Stem Cells in Human Liver Cancer.

Yang ZF, Ho DW, Ng MN, Lau CK, Yu WC, Ngai P, Chu PW, Lam CT, Poon RT, Fan ST

Center for Cancer Research and Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.

This study characterized cancer stem cells (CSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, tumor specimens, and blood samples. The CD90(+) cells, but not the CD90(-) cells, from HCC cell lines displayed tumorigenic capacity. All the tumor specimens and 91.6% of blood samples from liver cancer patients bore the CD45(-)CD90(+) population, which could generate tumor nodules in immunodeficient mice. The CD90(+)CD44(+) cells demonstrated a more aggressive phenotype than the CD90(+)CD44(-) counterpart and formed metastatic lesions in the lung of immunodeficient mice. CD44 blockade prevented the formation of local and metastatic tumor nodules by the CD90(+) cells. Differential gene expression profiles were identified in the CD45(-)CD90(+) and CD45(-)CD90(-) cells isolated from tissue and blood samples from liver cancer patients and controls.

Published 4 February 2008 in Cancer Cell, 13(2): 153-66.
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