Background: According to the ‘cancer stem cell model’ of carcinogenesis, the tumorigenesis is dependent on cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recent reports suggests a key role for these CSCs in prognosis and aids in treatment decision making in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Hence, identification of CSCs is of prime importance. Although there are various molecules that serve as markers for these CSCs are available, CD44 and CD 133 are well studied and hence we utilized these markers to identify CSCs in OSCCs. Methods: Tissue biopsies from 25 OSCC patients and normal individuals were included to study CD44 and CD133 expression by immunofluoroscence and western blot. Results: In immunofluoroscence, CD44 was expressed in 17/25 OSCCs and 3/25 of normal subjects while CD133 was expressed in 15/25 OSCCs and 3/25 normal subjects. Co-expression of Both proteins was found in 13/25 OSCCs samples, while only one of the normal subject had the co-expression. All the above results were confirmed by western blot. Furthermore, CD44 and CD133 demonstration by western blot revealed varied band intensity which correlated with degree of OSCC differentiation in that darker the band, poor the differentiation. Conclusion: CD44 and CD133 molecules can be used reliably as CSC markers. Hence, it is of prime importance to isolate, characterize, quantify these CSCs that may aid in identifying patient with poorer prognosis and contribute to therapeutic decisions for OSCCs.
