Can the reprogrammed cancer cells serve as an alternative source of (induced) cancer stem cells?

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small and elusive subpopulation of cancer cells within a tumor mass and are characterized by stem cell properties. Reprogrammed CSCs exhibit similar capability to initiate tumor growth, metastasis, and chemo- and radio-resistance and have similar gene profiles to primary CSCs. However, the efficiency of cancer cell reprogramming remained relatively low. There is limited literature available on the reprogramming of lung cancer cells. Hence, in this study we have conducted reprogramming of human lung cancer cells towards more benign type of cells.

Materials and methods: The reprogramming process was carried out with the use of STEMCCA vector. We have investigated the gene expression profile of induced CSCs (iCSCs) using the microarray technique.

Results: The lung iCSCs demonstrate morphology characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and gene expression profile that significantly differ from cells before reprogramming. We have also presented the elevated level of expression of genes associated with the cancer stemness and thus revealed new interesting CSC-like molecular markers.

Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrated that the reprogramming process in vitro leads to the remarkable changes in cells at the gene level and has potential to be an alternative method of generating CSC-like cells.