TOP2A(high) is the phenotype of recurrence and metastasis whereas TOP2A(neg) cells represent cancer stem cells in prostate cancer

Recurrence and metastasis are the main causes of death for prostate cancer patients and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to play important roles in cancer recurrence and metastasis. It is generally thought that genes upregulated in recurrent/metastatic disease are likely biomarkers of CSCs. Hence we analyzed multiple microarray datasets on prostate tumor tissues to identify upregulated genes associated with cancer recurrence/metastasis, and tried to explore whether those genes were true biomarkers of prostate CSCs. Our results indicated that TOP2A was the most highly upregulated gene in recurrent/metastatic prostate cancer, and its high expression was positively correlated with poor prognosis in patients. Using a promoter reporter system, we unexpectedly discovered enrichment of CSCs in TOP2A(neg) cells. Compared to TOP2A(high) cells, TOP2A(neg) cells formed spheres and tumors more efficiently, and became enriched in the presence of stresses. Analysis of cell divisions by time lapse imaging indicated that more slow-cycling cells were observed in TOP2A(neg) cells while the proportion of abnormal divisions was higher in TOP2A(high) cells. Our studies demonstrate that TOP2A(high) is the phenotype of recurrence/metastasis but TOP2A(neg) cells show slow cycling and have CSCs properties in prostate cancer, which has significant implications for prostate cancer therapy.