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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Snail-mediated cancer stem cell-like phenotype in human CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell
Shan Peng1, Cheng Wu1, Wei Sun1
1Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype, which has been proven to play a critical role in invasion and metastasis of many kinds of cancers, has also been reported to be associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Snail, a potent repressor of E-cadherin expression, was found to have a function to regulate the aforementioned processes.
Methods:
In the current study, expression of putative CSCs biomarkers and the ratio of CSC-like CNE2 (cancer cell line) in total CNE2 were measured, and CSC-like characteristics were analyzed with tumor-sphere self-renewal and colony-forming assays. Migration and invasion properties were determined by using transwell and wound healing assays. Xenograft tumor assays in vivo were done to evaluate the function of Snail and radiation in the tumor forming ability.
Results:
In human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, overexpression of Snail mediates a CSC-like phenotype, which enhances the initiation, invasion, and migration ability of cancer cells.
Conclusion:
Thus, Snail is a potential therapeutic target in NPC.
Insights
Snail overexpression promotes cancer stem cell (CSC) traits in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, enhancing their invasion and migration. This suggests Snail is a promising therapeutic target for NPC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive cancer invasion and metastasis.
- CSCs are linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
- Snail, an E-cadherin repressor, influences these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate Snail's role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CSC phenotype.
- Analyze Snail's impact on CSC characteristics, migration, and invasion.
Main Methods:
- Assessed CSC biomarkers and CSC ratio in CNE2 cells.
- Utilized tumor-sphere, colony-forming, transwell, and wound healing assays.
- Performed in vivo xenograft assays to evaluate Snail and radiation effects.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of Snail induced a CSC-like phenotype in human NPC cells.
- Snail enhanced cancer cell initiation, invasion, and migration.
- Snail influences tumor formation ability in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Snail plays a critical role in NPC progression.
- Snail is a potential therapeutic target for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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