title: Enrichment of Cells with Cancer Stem Cell-Like Markers in Relapses of Chemoresistant Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) present different responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One explanation may be the differences in the individual rates of stem cell-like cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included patients with HNSCC and tumor progression or relapse. Tumor samples were obtained before and after primary chemotherapy, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed for CD44, HLA class I (HLA-I), pancytokeratin, and phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR). Differences in expression between the first and second specimens were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression between the first and second specimens varied as follows: CD44 increased by 14.67% (95% confidence interval, CI: 6.94 to 22.40; p < 0.01); HLA-I decreased by 16.72% (95% CI: -23.87 to -9.47; p < 0.01); pancytokeratin decreased by 24.91% (95% CI: -32.8 to -17.7; p < 0.01), and p-EFGR expression decreased by 12.30% (95% CI: -20.61 to -3.98; p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with HNSCC, there is an enrichment of cells with stem-like markers in relapsed tumors when compared with the primary tumor. This finding should be considered when developing treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mesía
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Iglesia-Vicente
authors.forename: Estrelania S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Miren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taberna
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.forename: Ana-Belen
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Larque
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Oliva
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cordón-Cardo
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domingo-Domenech
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D007633:Keratins; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors