Melanoma tumor cell heterogeneity: a molecular approach to study subpopulations expressing the embryonic morphogen nodal.
As the frequency of melanoma increases, current treatment strategies are struggling to significantly impact patient survival. One of the critical issues in designing efficient therapies is understanding the composition of heterogeneous melanoma tumors in order to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug-resistant subpopulations. In this review, we summarize recent findings pertinent to the reemergence of the embryonic Nodal signaling pathway in melanoma and its significance as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. In addition, we offer a novel molecular approach to studying the functional relevance of Nodal-expressing subpopulations and their CSC phenotype.
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Elisabeth A
EA
Seftor
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Richard E B
REB
Seftor
EMD Millipore.
Don
D
Weldon
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Gina T
GT
Kirsammer
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Naira V
NV
Margaryan
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Alina
A
Gilgur
Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Mary J C
MJC
Hendrix
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002469:Cell Separation; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055457:Nodal Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; D055457:Nodal Protein; D010455:Peptides