Circulating tumor cells with a putative stem cell phenotype in peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer

Cancer Lett. 2010 Feb 1;288(1):99-106. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.06.027. Epub 2009 Jul 19.

Abstract

The CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) and ALDH1(+) cell phenotypes are associated with stemness and enhanced tumorigenic potential in breast cancer. We assessed the expression of CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 on tumor cells circulating in the peripheral blood (CTCs) of patients with metastatic breast cancer using triple-marker immunofluorescence microscopy. Among a total of 1439 CTCs identified in 20 (66.7%) out of 30 patients, 35.2% had the stem-like/tumorigenic phenotype CD44(+)/CD24(-/low), whereas 17.7% of the CTCs analyzed in seven patients, were ALDH1(high)/CD24(-/low). In conclusion, we report the existence of a subpopulation of CTCs with putative stem cell progenitor phenotypes in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / blood
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / secondary*
  • CD24 Antigen / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / blood
  • Isoenzymes / blood
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / immunology
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / enzymology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Retinal Dehydrogenase

Substances

  • CD24 Antigen
  • CD24 protein, human
  • CD44 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase
  • ALDH1A1 protein, human
  • Retinal Dehydrogenase