CD24, CD44 and EpCAM enrich for tumour-initiating cells in a newly established patient-derived xenograft of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

• Main Authors: Hoe, Susan Ling Ling, Tan, Lu Ping, Abdul Aziz, Norazlin, Liew, Kitson, Teow, Sin Yeang *, Abdul Razak, Fazlyn Reeny, Chin, Yoon Ming, Mohamed Shahrehan, Nurul Ashikin, Chu, Tai Lin, Mohd Kornain, Noor Kaslina, Peh, Suat Cheng *, Koay, Cheng Eng, Lo, Kwok-Wai, Ahmad, Munirah, Ng, Ching-Ching, Khoo, Alan Soo Beng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2017
• Subjects: RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
• Online Access: http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/830/1/Ronald%20Teow%20CD24%20CD44.pdf; http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/830/; http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12045-8

Subpopulations of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) contain cells with differential tumourigenic properties. Our study evaluates the tumourigenic potential of CD24, CD44, EpCAM and combination of EpCAM/CD44 cells in NPC. CD44br and EpCAMbr cells enriched for higher S-phase cell content, fastergrowing tumourigenic cells leading to tumours with larger volume and higher mitotic figures. Although CD44br and EpCAMbr cells significantly enriched for tumour-initiating cells (TICs), all cells could retain self-renewal property for at least four generations. Compared to CD44 marker alone, EpCAM/CD44dbr marker did not enhance for cells with faster-growing ability or higher TIC frequency. Cells expressing high CD44 or EpCAM had lower KLF4 and p21 in NPC subpopulations. KLF4-overexpressed EpCAMbr cells had slower growth while Kenpaullone inhibition of KLF4 transcription increased in vitro cell proliferation. Compared to non-NPC, NPC specimens had increased expression of EPCAM, of which tumours from advanced stage of NPC had higher expression. Together, our study provides evidence that EpCAM is a potentially important marker in NPC.