Figure 8. Knockdown of ALDH1A1 gene expression sensitizes tumors to CPA in vivo.

UM-C6 tumor cells transduced with Luciferase- (black) or ALDH1A1-targeted shRNA (white) were A) assessed by Taqman™ qRT-PCR for relative expression of ALDH1A1, ALDH3A1 and ALDH5A1, or B) transplanted into mice at 400 cells/mouse to initiate tumors. Following randomization when tumors reached a Mean volume of 175 mm³, mice were treated twice weekly with either vehicle or 38 mg/kg CPA. The Mean difference in tumor volume between CPA- and vehicle-treated mice is plotted for Luciferase shRNA control (open circles) or ALDH1A1 shRNA-containing (triangles) cells. C) Percentage of human ESA⁺CD44⁺CD166⁺ CoCSC phenotype cells in residual tumors is shown. Data reflects n≥5 mice per treatment group.