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Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Propolis reduces the stemness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Felipe Nör1, Carolina Nör2, Letícia W Bento3
1Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of Brazilian propolis on head and neck cancer stem cells in vitro.
Methods:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (UM-SCC-17B and UM-SCC-74A), human keratinocytes (HK), and primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were treated with 0.5, 5.0, or 50 μg/mL green, brown or red Brazilian propolis or vehicle control for 24, 36, and 72 h. Cell viability was evaluated by Sulforhodamine B assay. Western blots evaluated expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers (i.e. ALDH, CD44, Oct-4, Bmi-1) and flow cytometry was performed to determine the impact of propolis in the fraction of CSC, defined as ALDHhighCD44high cells.
Results:
propolis significantly reduced cell viability of HNSCC and HDMEC cells, but not HK. Notably, red propolis caused a significant reduction in the percentage of CSC, reduced the number of orospheres, and downregulated the expression of stem cell markers.
Conclusions:
Collectively, our data demonstrate an anti-CSC effect of propolis, and suggest that propolis (i.e. red propolis) might be beneficial for patients with head and neck cancer.
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