Elevated Expression of LGR5 and WNT Signaling Factors in Neuroblastoma Cells With Acquired Drug Resistance

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a paediatric solid cancer with high fatality, relapses and acquired resistance to chemotherapy that requires new therapeutic approaches to improve survival. LGR5 is a receptor that potentiates WNT/ signalling pathway and has been reported to promote development and survival in several adult cancers. In this study we investigated LGR5 expression in a panel of NB cell lines with acquired resistance to vincristine or doxorubicin. We show LGR5-LRP6 cooperation with enhanced expression in drug resistant NB cell lines compared to parental cells, suggesting a role for LGR5 in the emergence of drug resistance, warranting further investigation Key words: LGR5, LRP6, WNT pathway, neuroblastoma, acquired drug resistance