Abstract 559: Human ovarian cancer mesenchymal stem cells demonstrate abnormal BMP signaling and promote tumorigenesis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Numerous recent reports indicate a critical role for MSC in solid tumor growth. Unfortunately, very little is known about human solid tumor associated MSC. We analyzed over 15 samples of primary ovarian tumors for the presence MSC. MSC were isolated from over 90% of these samples. These cells had the morphologic appearance of CFU-F (colony forming unit-fibroblastic), a normal karyotype, and were non-tumorigenic. Phenotypic characterization of these cells indicates they express the surface markers normally associated with MSC; they express traditional MSC markers including SH2, SH3, and CD90, and do not express hematopoietic markers such CD34, CD14, or CD4. Functional characterization demonstrates that these cells are multipotent, capable of differentiating into adipose, cartilage, and bone. However, ovarian cancer-derived MSC appear to be somewhat less efficient at differentiation than the healthy donor control MSC. When combined with tumor cells in immune deficient mice, the promotion of tumor growth by ovarian cancer associated MSC was significantly greater than that seen with healthy donor control MSC. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that cancer associated MSC have significantly altered BMP family member expression. These studies suggest that cancer associated MSC are unique from their healthy tissue associated counterparts and play a critical role in cancer cell growth. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 559.