Targeting CD133 in the enhancement of chemosensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived side population cancer stem cells

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Previously, we enriched a subpopulation of OSCC-derived cancer stem cells (OSCC-CSCs), and identified CD133 as an OSCC-CSC marker. Method We determined the function of CD133 on chemosensitivity of oral cancer CSCs by silencing CD133. Results Initially, we observed that the expression profile of CD133 in OSCC-side population (OSCC-SPs) cells, which exerted properties of CSCs, was significantly upregulated than that of major population (MPs) cells of OSCCs. The cell viability experiments showed that SPs were more chemoresistant compared with major populations. Importantly, targeting CD133 ameliorated the drug resistance of OSCC-SPs to cisplatin treatment. Targeting CD133 and cisplatin co-treatment led to the maximal inhibition on tumor initiating properties in OSCC-SPs. Conclusion Side population cells with CSCs properties existed in OSCCs, and silencing CD133 exhibited a prominent therapeutic effect in enhancing the sensitivity of chemotherapy in OSCC through elimination of CSCs.