Increased fucosylation has a pivotal role in invasive and metastatic properties of head and neck cancer stem cells

• DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2698
• Publication Date: 2015-09-15T08:05:48Z
• Authors: Vincenzo Desiderio; Petros Papagerakis; Virginia Tirino; Li Zheng; Margarite Matossian; Mark E. Prince; Francesca Paino; Luigi Mele; Federica Papaccio; Roberta Montella; Gianpaolo Papaccio; Silvana Papagerakis
• Keywords: Fucosylation

// Vincenzo Desiderio 1,3,* , Petros Papagerakis 4,5,* Virginia Tirino 3,* Li Zheng 2 Margarite Matossian 1 Mark E. Prince 6 Francesca Paino 3 Luigi Mele 1,3 Federica Papaccio 3, Roberta Montella Gianpaolo 3,** and Silvana 1,2,** Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Periodontics Oral Medicine, School Dentistry, Experimental Section Biotechnology Histology Embryology, Second Naples, Italy 4 Orthodontics Pediatric 5 Center for Organogenesis, Head Neck Surgery, * These authors contributed equally to this work ** Equal senior Correspondence: Papaccio, email: Papagerakis, Keywords : cancer stem cells, oral cancer, fucosylation, radiation, cisplatin Received July 22, 2014 Accepted November 06, Published Abstract squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality rates. Major challenges OSCC management include development resistance therapy early formation distant metastases. Cancer cells (CSCs) have emerged as important players in both pathologic mechanisms. Increased fucosylation activity increased expression fucosylated polysaccharides, such Sialyl Lewis X (SLe x ), are associated invasion metastasis. However, the role CSCs has not been elucidated yet. We used spheroid culture technique obtain a CSC-enriched population compared orospheres adherent cells. found that expressed markers metastasis at higher levels, were more invasive tumorigenic, resistant cisplatin/radiation than counterparts. fucosyltransferases FUT3 FUT6 highly up-regulated, SLe adhesion by shear flow assays orospheres. Inhibition negatively affected CSCs. results confirm enriched paramount importance CSC invasion. In addition, may play key Thus, inhibition be block metastatic spread.