Fig. 2

Immunocytochemistry was performed before the mice injection to ensure about the characteristics of isolated cells. The cells were positive for the CK18 as one of the main epithelial markers (A). The cells were also positive in the case of P63 expression as the well know esophageal marker (B). Finally, it was shown that the cells had CD44 expression, approving the isolation process based on CD44 (C). In vivo assay was done using the CD44+ CSCs injection to the nude mice. Mice were sacrificed and tumor was resected after 45 days (1.4 cm) (D)