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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

A Sensitive Method to Quantify Senescent Cancer Cells
Published on: August 2, 2013
Cell senescence in myxoid/round cell liposarcoma
Christina Kåbjörn Gustafsson1, Anders Ståhlberg1, Katarina Engtröm2
1Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract:
Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS) is the second most common liposarcoma type and characterized by the fusion oncogenes FUS-DDIT3 or EWSR1-DDIT3. Previous analysis of cell cycle regulatory proteins revealed a prominent expression of G1-cyclins, cyclin dependent kinases, and their inhibitors but very few cells progressing through the G1/S boundary. Here, we extend the investigation to proteins involved in cell senescence in an immunohistochemistry based study of 17 MLS/RCLS cases. Large subpopulations of tumor cells expressed the RBL2 pocket protein and senescence associated heterochromatin 1γ and IL8 receptor β. We conclude that MLS/RCLS tissues contain major populations of senescent tumor cells and this may explain the slow growth rate of this tumor type.
Insights
Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS) tissues show significant populations of senescent tumor cells. This senescence, indicated by specific protein expression, may explain the slow growth rate characteristic of this liposarcoma subtype.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLS/RCLS) is a common liposarcoma subtype.
- MLS/RCLS is driven by FUS-DDIT3 or EWSR1-DDIT3 fusion oncogenes.
- Previous studies noted cell cycle dysregulation but limited G1/S phase progression in MLS/RCLS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell senescence in MLS/RCLS.
- To identify specific senescence-associated proteins expressed in MLS/RCLS tumor tissues.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze protein expression.
- The study included 17 cases of MLS/RCLS.
Main Results:
- Large subpopulations of MLS/RCLS tumor cells expressed RBL2, senescence-associated heterochromatin protein 1γ (SAH1γ), and IL8 receptor β (IL8Rβ).
- These findings indicate the presence of senescent cells within MLS/RCLS tumors.
Conclusions:
- MLS/RCLS tissues harbor significant populations of senescent tumor cells.
- Tumor cell senescence may contribute to the typically slow growth rate observed in MLS/RCLS.
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