Evaluation of anticancer agents using flow cytometry analysis of cancer stem cells

Flow cytometry can sensitively detect and efficiently sort cells based on fluorescent signals integrated into cellular markers of proteins or DNA. It has been broadly applied to assess cell division, apoptosis and to isolate cells including stem cells. As the seeds for tumorigenesis and metastasis, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are often more resistant to cytotoxins and anticancer agents than other heterogeneous cells in tumors. Analyzing CSCs under treatments is an effective way to evaluate new therapeutic agents for cancers. We introduce a method using flow cytometry to assess breast CSCs (CD44(+)/CD24(-)/(low)) in human MCF-7/Dox breast cancer cells, after the treatment of mixed-backbone oligonucleotide against glucosylceramide synthase. Flow cytometry analysis of CSCs is a reliable, effective, and easy-handling approach to screen agents targeting CSCs.