TY - JOUR T1 - Stem Cell Markers as Predictors of Oral Cancer Invasion JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 1163 LP - 1166 VL - 32 IS - 4 AU - AMANDA SIU AU - CARLIN LEE AU - DONGMIN DANG AU - CASEY LEE AU - DANIEL M. RAMOS Y1 - 2012/04/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/32/4/1163.abstract N2 - We previously showed that within primary tumors there exist subpopulations of cells expressing stem cell markers. Using immunofluorescence and western blotting, we examined the expression of stem cell markers tumor-rejection antigen 1-60 (TRA1-60) and octamer-binding transcription factor 3/ 4 (OCT3/4) to determine their relationship with cell invasiveness. Six human oral cancer cell lines were examined and a direct correlation was found between expression of these stem cell markers and invasion. Poor expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of N-cadherin was also found in TRA1-60- and OCT3/4- expressing cells. Phosphorylation of the major signaling molecule mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) was greatest in the TRA1-60- and OCT3/4- expressing cells. These results suggest that expression of specific stem cell markers in tumors may help guide a clinician's choice of treatment. ER -