All-trans-retinoic acid inhibits growth of head and neck cancer stem cells by suppression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Differentiation therapy is a novel approach to eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs), including head and neck squamous carcinoma CSC (HNSC CSC). All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is a potent differentiating agent. We studied the anti-tumour effect of ATRA on HNSC CSC. HNSC CSCs were differentiated by ATRA in a serum-free conditioned medium. The effect of differentiation on tumour growth was assessed in vitro and in vivo, and chemosensitisation was examined using a colorimetric viability assay. In addition, the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signalling as an underlying mechanism of the anti-tumour effect of retinoic acid (RA) on HNSC CSCs was assessed. ATRA suppressed the expression of the stem cell markers Oct4, Sox2, Nestin and CD44 in HNSC CSCs and inhibited the proliferation of HNSC CSCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, ATRA treatment augmented the chemosensitising effects of cisplatin. The anti-tumour effects of ATRA may be associated with down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. In conclusion, ATRA may be potentially valuable in treatment of HNSC CSC, especially in combination with cisplatin.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea. ycliment@kuh.ac.kr
Young Chang
YC
Lim
Hyun Jung
HJ
Kang
Young Sook
YS
Kim
Eun Chang
EC
Choi
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051176:beta Catenin; D014212:Tretinoin; D002945:Cisplatin