Data from Targeting the c-Met/FZD8 Signaling Axis Eliminates Patient-Derived Cancer Stem–like Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinomas
crossref(2023)
Cancer stem–like cells (CSC) thought to contribute to head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCC) may offer attractive therapeutic targets if a tractable approach can be developed. In this study, we report that silencing c-Met is sufficient to suppress sphere formation, tumor initiation, and metastatic properties of HN-CSC. Pharmacologic inhibition of c-Met with the selective inhibitor PF-2341066 preferentially targeted CSC and synergized with conventional chemotherapy to improve efficacy in a mouse xenograft model of HNSCC, impeding tumor growth and reducing metastasis. Mechanistic investigations showed that CSC elimination was due to downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HN-CSC and that the Wnt pathway receptor FZD8 was essential for interactions of c-Met and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HN-CSC. Notably, ectopic expression of FZD8 rescued the impaired phenotype of HN-CSC where c-Met was inhibited. Furthermore, c-Met upregulated FZD8 through the ERK/c-Fos cascade in HN-CSC. Taken together, our results offer a preclinical proof-of-concept for targeting the c-Met/FZD8 signaling axis as a CSC-directed therapy to improve HNSCC treatment. Cancer Res; 74(24); 7546–59. ©2014 AACR.