CD271+ cancer stem cells: a novel therapeutic target of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861603
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Miyagi Prefectural Hospital Organization Miyagi Cancer Center
• Principal Investigator: IMAI TAKAYUKI 地方独立行政法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん先進治療開発研究部, 特任研究員 (80408583)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MATSUURA Kazuto 地方独立法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん先進治療開発研究部, 特任研究員 (70271947) ; TANAKA Nobuyuki 地方独立法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん先進治療開発研究部, 部長 (60280872)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 癌 / 頭頸部扁平上皮癌 / 癌幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cancer stem cells contribute to the malignant phenotypes of a variety of cancers, but markers to identify human head and neck cancer (HNSCC) stem cells remain elusive.Several patient-derived xenograft (PDX) lines were established, and CD271+ population sorted from PDX-derived cells showed an enhanced tumor-initiating capability in immunodeficient mice. Tumors generated from the CD271+ cells contained both CD271- positive and -negative cells, indicating that the population could undergo differentiation. Accordingly, tumor-sheres contained more CD271+ cells than those from the normal in vitro culture condition. After the CDDP treatment, in vivo tumors contained increasing number of CD271+ cells, suggesting CD271+ cells are chemoresistant. Furthermore, using primary specimens, I found that high CD271 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis for patients. Together, the present findings indicate that CD271 is a novel marker for HNSCC stem-like cells and for the prognosis.

Free Research Field

頭頸部外科学