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Journal of Translational Medicine
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Soft Tissue Sarcoma | Research

Effect of chemotherapy on cancer stem cells and tumor-associated macrophages in a prospective study of preoperative chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma

Authors: Keith M. Skubitz, Jon D. Wilson, Edward Y. Cheng, Bruce R. Lindgren, Kristin L. M. Boylan, Amy P. N. Skubitz

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSC) may respond to chemotherapy differently from other tumor cells.

Methods

This study examined the expression of the putative cancer stem cell markers ALDH1, CD44, and CD133; the angiogenesis marker CD31; and the macrophage marker CD68 in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) before and after 4 cycles of chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide in 31 patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma in a prospective clinical trial.

Results

None of the markers clearly identified CSCs in STS samples. Macrophages represented a prominent component in viable tumor areas in pre-treatment STS biopsies, ranging from < 5 to > 50%. Furthermore, macrophages expressed CD44 and ALDH1. Macrophage density correlated with baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Pre-chemotherapy CD68 staining correlated positively with the baseline SUVmax, and negatively with the percent of viable tumor cells in post-chemotherapy resection samples. In particular, cases with more CD68-positive cells at biopsy had fewer viable tumor cells at resection, suggesting a better response to chemotherapy.

Conclusions

In conclusion, ALDH1, CD44, and CD133 are not likely to be useful markers of CSCs in STS. However, our observation of infiltrating macrophages in STS specimens indicates that these immune cells may contribute significantly to STS biology and response to chemotherapy, and could provide a potential target of therapy. Future studies should investigate macrophage contribution to STS pathophysiology by cytokine signaling.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of chemotherapy on cancer stem cells and tumor-associated macrophages in a prospective study of preoperative chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma
Authors
Keith M. Skubitz
Jon D. Wilson
Edward Y. Cheng
Bruce R. Lindgren
Kristin L. M. Boylan
Amy P. N. Skubitz
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-019-1883-6

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