Distinct population of highly malignant cells in a head and necksquamous cell carcinoma cell line established by xenograft model

摘要

The progression and metastasis of solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC), have been related to the behavior of a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells. Here,we have established a highly malignant HNSCC cell line, SASVO3, from primary tumors using threesequential rounds of xenotransplantation. SASVO3 possesses enhanced tumorigenic ability both invitro and in vivo. Moreover, SASVO3 exhibits properties of cancer stem cells, including thatincreased the abilities of sphere-forming, the number of side population cells, the potential oftransplanted tumor growth and elevated expression of the stem cell marker Bmi1. Injection ofSASVO3 into the tail vein of nude mice resulted in lung metastases. These results are consistentwith the postulate that the malignant and/or metastasis potential of HNSCC cells may reside in astem-like subpopulation.