Fig. 4

CD133 + spheres had a more robust ability of anti-apoptosis and exhibited higher expression levels of cancer stem-like cells- related markers. The apoptotic rate in CD133⁺ and CD133⁻ subpopulations after treatment with DXR (10 µM) for 24 h (a), The total rate of apoptosis (%) = Early apoptosis rate (Q2) + Late apoptosis rate (Q3). the expression levels of CD44, ALDH1, BMI1, and Nanog in CD133⁺ subpopulation and CD133⁻ subpopulation derived from SK-UT-1 cells (b). Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3,^*P < 0.05)