Characteristics and clinical significance of polyploid giant cancer cells in laryngeal carcinoma

Objectives We aimed to construct an induction system for polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), as well as to investigate PGCC features and clinical significance. Methods A laryngeal neoplasm-PGCC induction system was constructed using paclitaxel liposomes (PTX). We used western blots to compare expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins, stem cell interrelated proteins, and cyclin-associated proteins. We then measured PGCC count in tissue samples of patients with laryngeal neoplasms and analyzed its relationship with prognosis. Statistical significance was determined using t-tests. Results PTX successfully induced PGCCs. Western blotting showed that CyclinB1, CDC25C, CDK1, E-cadherin, and EIF-4A expression decreased in PGCCs compared with normal cancer cells, whereas vimentin and CD133 expression increased. Number of PGCCs in laryngeal cancer tissues and overall survival time were inversely correlated (P < .05). Conclusions PTX successfully induces PGCC formation in laryngeal carcinoma, which may be the cause of poor prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer. Level of Evidence: 4.

Automated summary

The study successfully induced polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) using paclitaxel liposomes (PTX) and found that expression levels of certain proteins differed between PGCCs and normal cancer cells. The number of PGCCs in laryngeal cancer tissues was inversely correlated with overall survival time.