Head neck squamous cell carcinoma c-Met⁺ cells display cancer stem cell properties and are responsible for cisplatin-resistance and metastasis

摘要: c-Met, the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, is overexpressed in a variety of tumors which it plays central role malignant transformation. Although c-Met has also been determined to be critical signaling molecule normal stem cell function, potential as single marker cancer cells (CSCs) not previously examined. In our study, we reported that human head neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) expressing were capable self-renewal and generating recapitulate heterogeneity parental tumors, isolation HNSCC using second CD44 could further enhance upon in-vivo tumorigenicity. We c-Met(+) readily make spherical colonies nonadherent culture conditions, contrast, c-Met(-) population did not; these passaged multiple times without loss colony-forming capability. Furthermore, showed have increased expression pathways are spared by cisplatin treatment responsible mediating metastasis. These results indicated serve novel CSCs at least HNSCC, highly chemoresistant metastatic capabilities them an important type better define understand their function.