Background
We previously identified by flow cytometry a Lineage‐CD44+ (Lin‐CD44+) subpopulation of cells with cancer stem cell properties in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We now correlate clinical and histologic factors with Lin‐CD44+ cell frequency.
Methods
The study included 31 patients with HNSCC, of whom 87% had stage IV disease. The frequency of Lin‐CD44+ cells and the success of xenografting patient tumors in mice were correlated with clinical and pathologic data.
Results
The mean frequency of Lin‐CD44+ cells was 25% (0.4%–81%). It was 36% in patients who had recurrence versus 15% for those without recurrence (p = .04). Successful xenograft implantation occurred in 53%. Seventy‐five percent of patients with successful xenografts had recurrence versus 21% of patients with unsuccessful xenografts (p = .003).
Conclusions
Successful xenograft implantation and a high frequency of Lin‐CD44+ cells correlate with known poor prognostic factors such as advanced T classification and recurrence. These findings may support the stem cell concept in HNSCC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012