Background/aim: Melanoma tumor cell sub-populations expressing a variety of specific molecular markers have been identified. We hypothesized that expression of CD114, the cell surface receptor for granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), would be associated with melanoma tumor cell growth and response to treatment.
Materials and methods: We determined the expression of CD114 expression in tumor cell lines by flow cytometry. We separated melanoma tumor cells into CD114-positive and - negative populations by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and measured cell growth and responses to temozolomide and etoposide and the anticancer agent nifurtimox.
Results: All tested cell lines demonstrated a sub-population of cells with CD114 surface expression. CD114-positive sub-populations grew faster than CD114-negative ones and demonstrated resistance to temozolomide, etoposide, and nifurtimox.
Conclusion: CD114 expression defines a sub-population of melanoma tumor cells with altered growth and resistance to treatment. Further studies on the role of CD114 in melanoma pathogenesis are warranted.
Keywords: CD114; G-CSF; melanoma; nifurtimox.
Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.