Table 1.
Advantages and disadvantages of the different methods for the study of CSCs.
| Methods | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Surface markers with FACS 1 | -multiparametric analysis | -large number of cells is needed |
| Surface markers with MACS 2 | -easy method -use of few cells |
-single-parametric analysis |
| Spheroid formation assay | -use of a 3D cellular model | -moderate cellular heterogeneity |
| ALDHs 3 activity | -consolidated method | -many nontumor stem cells have also high activity of ALDHs |
| SP assay | -high specificity | -lack of real standardization of the method |
| Chemoresistance and hypoxic resistance | -simplicity of the method | -lack of protocol standardization -moderate cellular heterogeneity |
| Physical CSCs properties | -simplicity and speed of the experiment | -low homogeneity |
1 FACS: fluorescence-activated cell sorting; 2 MACS: magnetic-activated cell sorting; 3 ALDHs: aldehyde dehydrogenases.