Identification of stem-like cells in head and neck cancer cell lines.

Abstract

This study investigated the existence of stem-like cells in established head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) lines, HSC3 and HSC4. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed the presence of side population (SP) cells excluding Hoechst 33342 in HSC4 cells (0.37+/-0.06%) but not HSC3 cells in a reserpine-sensitive manner. After sorting, the SP cells generated both SP and main population (MP) cells in culture while MP cells generated MP cells only. Higher expression of stem cell markers was detected in SP than in MP cells. These results suggest that cancer stem-like cells exist in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.