Identification of CD133+/nestin+ putative cancer stem cells in non-small cell lung cancer

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2010 Dec;154(4):321-6. doi: 10.5507/bp.2010.048.

Abstract

Aims: No effective treatment for lung cancer exists currently. One reason for this, is the development of drug resistance, assumed to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSCs) emergence within the tumour. This pilot study aimed to identify CSCs in 121 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient samples via detection of the expression of stem cell markers - CD133 and nestin.

Material and methods: Archived paraffin blocks of 121 patient samples were prepared as Tissue Microarrays (TMA). Indirect immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the level of expression of CD133 and nestin. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to investigate the co-expression of these two markers. To determine the correlation between expression of nestin and CD133 with the length of asymptomatic period and overall patient survival we used the Kaplan-Meyer analysis.

Results: CD133 expression was detected in 22 (19%), nestin in the epithelium in 74 (66%) and vasculature in 78 (70%) of patients. Co-expression of these two markers was found in 21 (17%) patients in less than 1% of positive cells without impact on disease free or overall survival.

Conclusions: We identified CD133(+)/nestin(+) cells as novel potential markers of lung cancer CSCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism*
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nestin
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • AC133 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • NES protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nestin
  • PROM1 protein, human
  • Peptides