Abstract
Canine prostate cancer represents a spontaneous animal model for the human counterpart. Cells with stem cell-like character are considered to play a major role in therapeutic resistance and tumor relapse. Thus, the identification of markers allowing for recognition and characterization of these cells is essential.
Expression of 12 stem cell marker genes in the canine prostate cancer cell line CT1258 and spheroid cells generated from these was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. In CT1258 and the generated spheroid cells, CD44 and CD133 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, as well as proliferation and doxorubicin resistance.
Integrin alpha-6 (ITGA6) expression and metabolic activity were significantly up-regulated in CT1258-derived spheroid cells, while doxorubicin resistance remained comparable.
ITGA6 de-regulation and metabolic activity appear to be characteristic of the generated spheres, indicating potential intervention targets.