CD26 a cancer stem cell marker and therapeutic target

Samuel Davies; Aline Beckenkamp; Andréia Buffon

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2015.02.031

CD26 a cancer stem cell marker and therapeutic target

Biomed Pharmacother. 2015 Apr:71:135-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.02.031. Epub 2015 Mar 4.

Authors

Samuel Davies¹, Aline Beckenkamp¹, Andréia Buffon²

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Biochemical and Cytological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Biochemical and Cytological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: andreia.buffon@ufrgs.br.

PMID: 25960228
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.02.031

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise a tumor subpopulation responsible for tumor maintenance, resistance to chemotherapy, recurrence and metastasis. The identification of this cell group is very important, but there is still no consensus on its characterization. Several CSC markers have been described, like CD133, CD24, CD44 and ALDH1, but more research to identify new markers to facilitate the identification of CSC in a heterogeneous tumoral mass is required. Thus, this article describes the CD26 expression as a CSC marker and the role that it plays in different types of cancer. CD26 expression correlates with some characteristics of CSCs, like the formation of spheres in vitro, formation of new tumors, and resistance to chemotherapy. CD26 is therefore suggested as an auxiliary marker for CSC in different types of cancer, and as a potential therapeutic target.

Keywords: CD26; CSC marker; Cancer stem cells; Indifferentiation marker; Therapeutic target.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / metabolism*
Humans
Molecular Targeted Therapy*
Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4