Isolation and characterization of cancer stem cells from high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas.

Background/aims: In this study, a subpopulation of stem-like cells in human high grade serous ovarian carcinomas (ovarian cancer stem cells; OCSCs) were isolated and characterized.

Methods: Primary high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) fresh biopsies were cultured under serum-free conditions to produce floating spheres. Sphere formation assay, including self-renewal, differentiation potential, chemo-resistance, and tumorigenicity were determined in vitro or in vivo.