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Tumor Biology
Published in: Tumor Biology 11/2014

01-11-2014 | Research Article

Huaier aqueous extract inhibits stem-like characteristics of MCF7 breast cancer cells via inactivation of hedgehog pathway

Authors: Xiaolong Wang, Ning Zhang, Qiang Huo, Mingjuan Sun, Lun Dong, Yan Zhang, Guangwei Xu, Qifeng Yang

Published in: Tumor Biology | Issue 11/2014

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Abstract

The theory of targeting cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) provides novel strategy for cancer treatment. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of Huaier aqueous extract on eradicating breast cancer stem cells and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our data demonstrated that various concentrations of Huaier extract significantly decreased the viabilities, numbers, and sizes of mammospheres. After incubation with Huaier extract for 24 h, the clonogenicity of MCF7 cell line was obviously impaired, along with less holoclones. In addition, Huaier extract reduced the number of cells expressing CD44+/CD24− and decreased the level of stem cell markers (OCT-4, NESTIN, and NANOG). The hedgehog (Hh), notch, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were essential stem cell signaling pathways involved in regulating CSC renewal and maintenance. We reported that the inhibitory effect of Huaier extract was partly depended on the inactivation of Hh pathway. These findings provided experimental evidence that Huaier extract was a promising therapeutic drug for eliminating the breast cancer stem cells.
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Metadata
Title
Huaier aqueous extract inhibits stem-like characteristics of MCF7 breast cancer cells via inactivation of hedgehog pathway
Authors
Xiaolong Wang
Ning Zhang
Qiang Huo
Mingjuan Sun
Lun Dong
Yan Zhang
Guangwei Xu
Qifeng Yang
Publication date
01-11-2014
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Tumor Biology / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 1010-4283
Electronic ISSN: 1423-0380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2390-2

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