ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Canine prostate cancer represents a spontaneous animal model for the human counterpart. Cells with stem cell-like character are considered to play a major role in therapeutic resistance and tumor relapse. Thus, the identification of markers allowing for recognition and characterization of these cells is essential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of 12 stem cell marker genes in the canine prostate cancer cell line CT1258 and spheroid cells generated from these was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. In CT1258 and the generated spheroid cells, CD44 and CD133 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, as well as proliferation and doxorubicin resistance. RESULTS: Integrin alpha-6 (ITGA6) expression and metabolic activity were significantly up-regulated in CT1258-derived spheroid cells, while doxorubicin resistance remained comparable. CONCLUSION: ITGA6 de-regulation and metabolic activity appear to be characteristic of the generated spheres, indicating potential intervention targets.
