title: EGCG inhibits the growth and tumorigenicity of nasopharyngeal tumor-initiating cells through attenuation of STAT3 activation.
abstract: A subset of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) could initiate tumors and are responsible for tumor recurrence and chemotherapeutic resistance. In this study, we enriched TICs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by the spheres formation and characterized the stem-like signatures such as self-renewal, proliferation, chemoresistance and tumorigenicity. By this method, we investigated that epigallocathechin gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol in green tea could target TICs and potently inhibit sphere formation, eliminate the stem-like properties and enhance chemosensitivity in NPC through attenuation of STAT3 activation, which could be important in regulating the stemness expression in NPC. Our results demonstrated that STAT3 pathway plays an important role in mediating tumor-initiating capacities in NPC and suggest that inactivation of STAT3 with EGCG may represent a potential preventive and therapeutic approach for NPC.
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University Taipei, Taiwan ; Department of Pediatrics, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chien-Hung
authors: CH
authors: Lin
authors: Institute of Tranditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University Taipei, Taiwan ; Department of Internal Medicine, Tzu Chi Medical Center Hualien, Taiwan.
authors: Li-Keng
authors: LK
authors: Chao
authors: Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-yi Christian Hospital Chia-yi, Taiwan.
authors: Peir-Haur
authors: PH
authors: Hung
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University Taipei, Taiwan ; Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University Taipei, Taiwan ; Department of Pediatrics, Renai Branch, Taipei City Hospital Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Yann-Jang
authors: YJ
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology; D002277:Carcinoma; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D002945:Cisplatin
keywords: EGCG; STAT3; nasopharyngeal cancer