| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a method for identifying an agent that selectively decreases the number of cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprising: a. contacting a CSC from a population of cells with a candidate agent; and b. determining whether the candidate agent reduces the survival or growth of the CSC or increases differentiation of the CSC relative to a CSC that has not been contacted with the candidate agent; wherein the CSC further has the following properties: CD24-, CD133-, Notch+, Gli1+, Gli2+, cytokeratin-, Neurofil-, and Glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP-). Also disclosed is a high throughput screening method for identifying agents that selectively decrease the percentage of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a population of cells, wherein the CSCs are refractory to standard chemotherapy, comprising: a. contacting a CSC from a population of cells with a candidate agent, wherein the CSC has the following properties: HLA I- and HLA II-; b. determining whether the candidate agent reduces the survival or growth or increases differentiation of the CSC relative to a CSC that has not been contacted with the candidate agent by: i. comparing, using flow cytometry, the percentage of CSCs in the population of cells, which is treated with the candidate agent to the percentage of CSCs in a population of cells, which is not treated with the candidate agent; ii. determining, using a cell viability assay, the percentage of viable cells in the treated and untreated population of cells; iii. determining, using a cell differentiation assay, the percentage of non-CSC cells in the treated and untreated population of cells; and iv. determining, using a cell division assay, the percentage of dividing cells in the treated and untreated population of cells, and wherein the CSC further has the following properties: CD24-, CD133-, Notch+, Gli1+, Gli2+, cytokeratin-, Neurofil-, and GFAP-. |
