Sphere-forming-like cells (squamospheres) with cancer stem-like cell traits from VX2 rabbit buccal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Understanding of the pathogenesis of oral cancer could be enhanced by an animal stem cell model created by scientists in Taiwan. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 90% of oral malignancies worldwide. Tobacco chewing has led to high rates of OSCC in males in Central and Eastern Asia, in particular. Although the behaviour of cancer stem cells is known to be crucial in the early stages of the disease, little is understood about OSCC stem cell mechanisms. Now, Yuk-Kwan Chen and colleagues at Kaohsiung Medical University have developed the first viable model for OSCC stem cell study, successfully culturing and extracting cancer stem cells from rabbit OSCC. These cells possess useful traits for further study including self-renewal and the ability to initiate tumor growth.

Keywords

cancer stem-like cell / squamosphere / VX2 rabbit oral carcinoma

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