Characterization of colorectal cancer stem cell (CSC) for developing CSC-targeted anti-tumor drugs

Background: Cancer stem cell (CSC) is the major cause for tumor development and anti-tumor drugs resistance which we should give it all our attention when starting the plan of cancer treatment. In addition to that CSC has distinct features, it is quiescent, self-renewal, highly tumorigenic and highly resistant to chemo- or radio-therapy. This study focused on characterization of a highly carcinogenic established CSCs and its importance to be the main target for anti-cancer medications. Methods: Cells were assayed for their morphology, holoclone and spheroids forming capacity, Isolation, Purification and Characterization of the Tumor-Initiating Cells using Flow cytometry (FACS), tumor initiation capacity after tumor xenograft and anticancer drug resistance screening using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Cells formed holoclones and spheroids, expressed stemness markers 44+(65%),133+(82%)and 166+(98%).CR4 showed cell growth and proliferation with error in DNA and no or low percentage of apoptosis. CR4 cells are highly resistant to anti-cancer drugs like paclitaxel and SB-T-1214. Conclusion: CSCs are the tumor recurrence initiating cells. CR4 CSCs are highly tumorigenic and drug resistant and should be the main target during synthesis of anti-tumor drugs not tumor shrinkage.