Cancer stem cells in metastatic lymph nodes in patients with colorectal cancer
https://doi.org/10.34215/1609-1175-2025-4-57-62
Abstract
Objective. To assess the content of cancer stem cells (CSCs) with the EpCAMhighCD44+ phenotype in metastatic lymph nodes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the expression of CD133, CD166, CD24, and CD184 on their surface.
Materials and methods. A cross-sectional prospective study of the cellular composition of metastatic lymph nodes was performed in 123 patients with phase III CRC. The control group consisted of 87 patients who underwent surgery for non-neoplastic colon diseases. Lymph node cells were isolated by an enzymatic method. The expression of CD45, EpCAM, CD44, CD133, CD166, CD184, and CD24 on CSCs was assessed by flow cytometry using a CytoFLEX LX cytometer (Beckman Coulter, USA). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test.
Results. Among metastatically affected regional lymph nodes of CRC patients, 7.6 [4.3; 11.9]% of CSC with the EpCAMhighCD44+ phenotype were found in the total population of non-lymphoid cells (CD45-). No cells with high EpCAM expression were found in the lymph nodes of patients in the control group. In metastatic lymph nodes, 50.8 [42.5; 60.1]% of CSC simultaneously express CD133 and CD166, and 49.2 [39.9; 57.5]% of cells exhibited the presence of the CD133 antigen. All CSCs in metastatic lymph nodes expressed CD184, and 94.9 [90.0; 97.7]% of them simultaneously contained CD24.
Conclusion. Highly EpCAM-expressing CSCs can be found in metastatically affected regional lymph nodes in patients with stage III colorectal cancer. CD44-positive cells comprise 7.6% of nonlymphoid cells. The CXC type 4 chemokine receptor (CD184) and CD133 protein are markers of CSCs in CRC.
About the Authors
V. V. Kryukova
Chita State Medical Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chita
V. L. Tsepelev
Chita State Medical Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Viktor L. Tsepelev, Head of the Department of Hospital Surgery with a Course in Pediatric Surgery
39a Gorky St., Chita, 672000, Russia
tel.: 8 (914) 457-29-47
P. P. Tereshkov
Chita State Medical Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chita
References
1. Siegel RL, Wagle NS, Cercek A, Smith RA, Jemal A. Colorectal cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(3):233–54. doi: 10.3322/caac.21772
2. Xie YH, Chen YX, Fang JY. Comprehensive review of targeted therapy for colorectal cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther.2020;5(1):22. doi: 10.1038/s41392-020-0116-z
3. Das PK, Islam F, Lam AK. The roles of cancer stem cells and therapy resistance in colorectal carcinoma. Cells. 2020;9(6):1392. doi: 10.3390/cells9061392
4. Erisik D, Ozdil B, Acikgoz E, Asker Abdikan CS, Yesin TK, Aktug H. Differences and similarities between colorectal cancer cells and colorectal cancer stem cells: Molecular insights and implications. ACS Omega. 2023;8(33):30145–57. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02681
5. Ma Y-S, Li W, Liu Y, Shi Y, Lin Q-L, Fu D. Targeting colorectal cancer stem cells as an effective treatment for colorectal cancer. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. 2020;19:1533033819892261. doi: 10.1177/1533033819892261
6. O'Brien СA, Pollett A, Gallinger S, Dick JE. A human colon cancer cell capable of initiating tumour growth in immunodeficient mice. Nature. 2007;445(7123):106–10. doi: 10.1038/nature05372
7. Qi Y, Zhou F, Geng Z, Ding B, Liu L. EpCAM is critical for tumor proliferation and oxaliplatin chemoresistance in EpCAMhigh/ CD44+ colorectal cancer stem cells. Turk J Biochem. 2022;47(5):620–5. doi: 10.1515/tjb-2021-0301
8. Gires O, Pan M, Schinke H, Canis M, Baeuerle PA. Expression and function of epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM: Where are we after 40 years? Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2020;39(3):969–87. doi: 10.1007/s10555-020-09898-3
9. Xiao D, Xiong M, Wang X, Lyu M, Sun H, Cui Y, Chen C, Jiang Z, Sun F. Regulation of the function and expression of EpCAM. Biomedicines. 2024;12(5):1129. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12051129
10. Xu H, Niu M, Yuan X, Wu K, Liu A. CD44 as a tumor biomarker and therapeutic target. Exp Hematol Oncol. 2020;9(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s40164-020-00192-0
11. Okuyama H, Nogami W, Sato Y, Yoshida H, Tona Y, Tanaka Y. Characterization of CD44-positive cancer stem-like cells in COLO 201 Cells. Anticancer Res. 2020;40(1):169–76. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.13938
12. Ricci-Vitiani L, Lombardi DG, Pilozzi E, Biffoni M, Todaro M, Peschle C, De Maria R. Identification and expansion of human colon-cancer-initiating cells. Nature. 2007;445(7123):111–5. doi: 10.1038/nature05384
13. Moreno-Londoño AP, Robles-Flores M. Functional roles of CD133: More than stemness associated factor regulated by the microenvironment. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2024;20(1):25–51. doi: 10.1007/s12015-023-10647-6
14. Akbari M, Shomali N, Faraji A, Shanehbandi D, Asadi M, Mokhtarzadeh A, Shabani A, Baradaran B. CD133: An emerging prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer. Cell Biol Int. 2020;44(2):368–80. doi: 10.1002/cbin.11243
15. Yen JH, Chang CC, Hsu HJ, Yang CH, Mani H, Liou JW. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12–C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 signaling axis in cancer and the development of chemotherapeutic molecules. Tzu Chi Med J. 2024;36(3):231–9. doi: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_52_24
Review
For citations:
Kryukova V.V., Tsepelev V.L., Tereshkov P.P. Cancer stem cells in metastatic lymph nodes in patients with colorectal cancer. Pacific Medical Journal. 2025;(4):57-62. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34215/1609-1175-2025-4-57-62
Views:
177
JATS XML
Email this article 