Abstract

In assessing the fate of cancer, it has been proposed that a certain set of cancer “stem cells” (CSCs) plays a major role in the resurgent growth of tumors following surgery and chemotherapy treatment. Although CSCs have been isolated in different forms of cancer by identifying specific cell surface markers, it is becoming increasingly necessary to find more definitive markers to positively identify and subsequently target CSCs for treatment. A high-throughput screening technology is thus needed to deal with the hundreds of possible markers and marker combinations. The Colony Forming Antibody Cell Array (CFACA), developed by Dr. Stephen Skirboll, is one such live cell option that allows for the testing of many antibodies at once. Cancer cells can not only bind to antibodies on the array (Fig.2), but they can also form colonies over a period of several weeks while still growing on the array. This colony-forming ability distinguishes CSCs from the rest of the tumor cell population and allows for the identification of cell surface proteins that are unique to these CSCs. The primary tumor samples currently being tested on the CFACA are fresh and low passage Glioblastomas (GBMs). Results from this line of experiments could yield new ways to target this virulent form of brain cancer at its source. The technology could also be applied to many different types of cancer since the array can host most types of cells.