In pancreatic cancer, cells based on specific cell-surface markers (i.e. CD24+CD44+ESA+ and CD133+ cells) have been reported to possess CSC characteristics [ 12, 16, 17].
Later, Rembaum and co-workers (1977) developed an immunomagnetic technique, now known as magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), based on specific labeling of cells with magnetic beads for separation.
Given the limitations of single agent biomarker analysis (CgA), we developed a multi-transcript (n = 51 gene) molecular signature for PCR-blood analysis based on specific neuroendocrine tumor cell transcripts identified by mathematical analysis of 15 NET tissue microarrays [ 4].
Affinity-based enrichment distinguished cells are based on specific antigen expression methodologies, where the target cells are either labeled with a fluorescent/magnetic bead tag or directly captured on a stationary substrate.
Lancefield typing (based on specific carbohydrates within the bacterial cell wall) provides groupings that do not necessarily follow recognized species.
However, because of the extensive cellular heterogeneity within tumors, it is extremely difficult to separate tumor and host cells based on specific phenotypic markers.
Putative CSCs have been identified in neuroblastoma patients using three different approaches: identifying the TICs through bone marrow analysis, analyzing SPs, and sorting the cells based on specific CSC-surface markers.
This work led to one of the earliest descriptions of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) based on specific surface marker expressions and provided strong evidence for the existence of CSCs in cancer.
To provide a reference for scaffold designs based on specific types of biomaterials and stem cells, we performed this review to make discussion on the function of the geometric properties of scaffolds with reference to the corresponding biomaterials.
Another strategy to downregulate CXCR4 expression in target cells is based on specific blocking of CXCR4 or SDF-1 expression at the mRNA level by employing small interfering RNAs or an oligonucleotide antisense strategy.
