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Updated: May 23, 2026

Analysis of Side Population in Solid Tumor Cell Lines
Published on: February 23, 2021
[Side population cells and lung cancer stem cells]
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Side population (SP) cells, identified by their dye efflux, are enriched for stem cell activity. This review explores the connection between SP cells and lung cancer stem cells in various lung tissues and cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
- Flow Cytometry
Context:
- Side population (SP) cells are a rare cell subset characterized by their ability to efflux Hoechst 33342 dye.
- SP cells are identifiable via dual-wavelength flow cytometry and are found in diverse tissues and cell lines.
- These cells exhibit high enrichment for stem cell activity.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between side population (SP) cells and lung cancer stem cells.
- To consolidate current understanding of SP cells within the context of lung cancer research.
Summary:
- Recent studies have identified stem-cell-like SP cells in numerous lung cancer tissues and cell lines.
- This review focuses on the functional and phenotypic connections between SP cells and established lung cancer stem cells.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for advancing lung cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of the role of SP cells in lung cancer.
- Highlights potential therapeutic targets within lung cancer stem cell populations.
- Informs future research directions for targeting lung cancer stem cells.
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