RESULTS

Susceptibility of pancreatic cancer stem cells to reprogramming. (Cancer Sci, 2015)

In collaboration with the Department of Surgery, Osaka University (Profs. Masaki Mori and Yuichiro Doki), Noguchi et al. studied the susceptibility of pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) to reprogramming. Given that previous reports have indicated that reprogramming technologies may be useful for altering the malignant phenotype of epithelial cancer cells, the study may be useful for extensive modification of malignant features of pancreatic CSCs. The study focused on c-Met signaling, which has been identified as a marker of CSCs. The present study indicates that cells that expressed high levels of c-Met showed  higher CSC properties, such as tumor-initiating capacity,  and resistance to gemcitabine. Although further studies are necessary, it suggests the novel approach may be possible for cancer cell reprogramming .