Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Radiosensitivity of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: August 21, 2019
Radiation-induced DNA damage response and resistance in colorectal cancer stem-like cells
Kumari Anuja1, Amit Roy Chowdhury1, Arka Saha1
1a Molecular Stress and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Biotechnology, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar , India.
Abstract:
Purpose: Radiation therapy is an integral part of current treatment modality for colorectal cancer. Recent studies have revealed the presence of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) population, in different tumors are responsible for therapeutic resistance and disease relapse, including colorectal cancer with poorer survival rate. Hence, characterization of the effect of Ionizing Radiation (IR) in colorectal cancer may serve to explain possible mechanisms. Material and methods: Parental HCT116 and HCT-15 cells and derived colonospheres were irradiated and dose was optimized based on cell survival assay and cell cycle analysis. DNA damage response (DDR) was elucidated by γH2AX foci formation, COMET assay, and ATM, p-ATM, ERCC1 expression post-treatment. The expression level of developmental marker (β-catenin), CSC markers (CD44, KLF4) and telomeric components (TRF2, RAP1, hTERT) were evaluated. Results: We observed cell survival was more in colonospheres post-irradiation and also exhibited decreased γH2AX foci, olive tail moment, increased ERCC1, and p-ATM expression than its parental counterpart which corresponds to efficient DDR. Differential expression of developmental marker, CSC markers, and telomeric components were observed after irradiation. Conclusion: This study highlighted the presence of CSC phenotype in colonospheres having increased DNA repair capacity. Differential expression of developmental marker, CSC markers and telomeric components between parental and colonospheres may contribute in radio-resistance property of CSCs.
Related Concept Videos
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
Biological Effects of Radiation
Treatment Resistant Cancers

