ZEB1-mediated vasculogenic mimicry formation associates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell phenotypes in prostate cancer.

The zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and altered ZEB1 expression could lead to aggressive and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes in various cancers. Tissue specimens from 96 prostate cancer patients were collected for immunohistochemistry and CD34/periodic acid-Schiff double staining. Prostate cancer cells were subjected to ZEB1 knockdown or overexpression and assessment of the effects on vasculogenic mimicry formation in vitro and in vivo.