Cancer initiating-cells are enriched in the CA9 positive fraction of primary cervix cancer xenografts.

Numerous studies have suggested that Cancer Initiating Cells (CIC) can be identified/enriched in cell populations obtained from solid tumors based on the expression of cell surface marker proteins. We used early passage primary cervix cancer xenografts to sort cells based on the expression of the intrinsic hypoxia marker Carbonic Anhydrase 9 (CA9) and tested their cancer initiation potential by limiting dilution assay. We demonstrated that CICs are significantly enriched in the CA9+ fraction in 5/6 models studied.

Dissociation of gemcitabine sensitivity and protein kinase B signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma models.

Objective: To understand the impact of protein kinase B (PKB; Akt) signaling on growth and protection from apoptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma models demonstrating differences in PKB activity.

Methods: Gemcitabine sensitivity was investigated in a panel of cell lines, characterized by differences in levels of activated PKB. Suppression of PKB activity was achieved with an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (wortmannin) and silencing RNA.