氯喹通过靶向CXCR4-STAT3信号通路抑制食管鳞状癌细胞的干性。

Yue Dongli, Zhang Daiqun, Shi Xiaojuan, Liu Shasha, Li Anqi, Wang Dong, Qin Guohui, Ping Yu, Qiao Yamin, Chen Xinfeng, Wang Feng, Chen Renyin, Zhao Song, Wang Lidong, Zhang Yi

Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Front Oncol. 2020 Mar 13;10:311. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00311. eCollection 2020.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are present in ESCC, are thought to lead to aggressive tumor behavior and the prognosis. The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), is regarded as a putative CSCs marker in various malignancies. Here, we demonstrate that CXCR4 played a key role in ESCC progression and CXCR4 positive ESCC cells possessed stem-like properties. Furthermore, the anti-malarial agent chloroquine (CQ) targeted CXCR4-positive ESCC cells via STAT3 pathway. Therefore, CQ with anti-CSCs effects may be an effective adjunct to current ESCC chemotherapy regimens.

食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）是全球最常见的癌症之一。最近的研究表明，癌症干细胞（CSCs）存在于ESCC中，被认为会导致侵袭性肿瘤行为和预后。CXC趋化因子受体4（CXCR4）在各种恶性肿瘤中被视为一种假定的癌症干细胞标志物。在此，我们证明CXCR4在ESCC进展中起关键作用，且CXCR4阳性的ESCC细胞具有干细胞样特性。此外，抗疟药氯喹（CQ）通过信号转导和转录激活因子3（STAT3）途径靶向CXCR4阳性的ESCC细胞。因此，具有抗癌症干细胞作用的CQ可能是当前ESCC化疗方案的有效辅助药物。