Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas express tumor stem cell markers in cells with activated Wnt signaling: further evidence for the existence of a tumor stem cell niche?

Pituitary 2014 December
INTRODUCTION: Early disease onset, clinical manifestation, histomorphology, and increased tendency to relapse distinguish the adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (adaCP) from the more favorable papillary variant (papCP). A molecular hallmark of adaCP is the activated Wnt signaling pathway indicated by nuclear β-catenin accumulation in a subset of tumor cells. A mouse model recently illustrated that these cells are the driving force in tumorigenesis of adaCP. This observation and the peculiar growth pattern points to the existence of a specific tumor stem cell (TSC) population in human CP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: To prove this hypothesis, the TSC markers CD133 (Prominin1) and CD44 were examined in papCP (n = 8) and adaCP (n = 25) on mRNA level using quantitative real time PCR of total tumor RNA. Furthermore, we investigated protein expression performing immunohistochemical analyses of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tumor samples.

RESULTS: PapCP revealed a homogenous CD44 expression pattern predominantly at the cell membrane, whereas CD133 labeling was hardly detectable. In adaCP, on the other hand all markers were consistently and predominantly co-expressed in nuclear β-catenin accumulating cell clusters, which was confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining. Overall expression of CD44 was significantly decreased in adaCP versus papCP, whereas CD133 showed significantly higher protein and mRNA levels in adaCP.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate tumor stem cell-like characteristics of β-catenin accumulating cell clusters in adaCP, which may represent a tumor stem cell niche and might contribute to tumor recurrence. The potential impact of these special cell groups in regard to future CP management, including postoperative follow-up and additional treatment remains to be explored.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app