Volume 4.33 | Sep 2 - Cancer Stem Cell News

Cancer Stem Cell News 4.33 September 2, 2015

TOP STORY

Researchers Mimic Viral Infection in Colon Cancer Stem Cells, Identify Druggable Target to Potentially Root out Disease, End Relapse
Researchers targeting colorectal cancer stem cells – the root cause of disease, resistance to treatment and relapse – have discovered a mechanism to mimic a virus and potentially trigger an immune response to fight the cancer like an infection. [Press release from the University Health Network discussing publication in Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Video

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PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Distinct EMT Programs Control Normal Mammary Stem Cells and Tumor-Initiating Cells
Using genetically engineered knock-in reporter mouse lines, investigators showed that normal gland-reconstituting mammary stem cells residing in the basal layer of the mammary epithelium and breast tumor-initiating cells originating in the luminal layer exploit the paralogous epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor Slug and Snail, respectively, which induce distinct EMT programs. [Nature] Abstract

UTX Inhibits EMT-Induced Breast CSC Properties by Epigenetic Repression of EMT Genes in Cooperation with LSD1 and HDAC1
Researchers demonstrated that UTX loss induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated breast cancer stem cell (CSC) properties by increasing the expression of the SNAIL, ZEB1 and ZEB2 EMT transcription factors and of the transcriptional repressor CDH1. [EMBO Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Rhodamine-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots for Detection of Fe³⁺ in Cancer Stem Cells
Fe³⁺ binding to rhodamine B derivative-functionalized-graphene quantum dots with orange-red fluorescence of 43% quantum yield were demonstrated to be biomarkers for cancer stem cell imaging. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

FOXA2 mRNA Expression Is Associated with Relapse in Patients with Triple-Negative/Basal-Like Breast Carcinoma
Investigators knocked down FOXA2 mRNA expression by siRNA to determine the impact on cell proliferation and mammospheres formation using a cancer stem cells culture assay. In vitro studies demonstrated higher FOXA2 mRNA expression in triple-negative/basal-like cells. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Antisense-miR-21 Enhances Differentiation/Apoptosis and Reduces Cancer Stemness State on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Investigators evaluated the application of hsa-miR-21 antagomir to sequester the microRNA for therapeutic purposes on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Stemness state in cancer stem cells (CSCs) was evaluated by the changes of CSC biomarkers including Oct-4 and ABCG2. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Inhibition of CD147 Expression by RNA Interference Reduces Proliferation, Invasion and Increases Chemosensitivity in Cancer Stem Cell-Like HT-29 Cells
Scientists investigated the biological roles of CD147 in colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs). Knockdown of CD147 increased the chemosensitivity of CSC-like cells to gemcitabine, cisplatin, docetaxel at 0.1, 1 and 10 µM respectively, however, there was no significant difference among the three groups to paclitaxel at 10 µM. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Enhanced Antitumor Effect of Shikonin by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via JNK/C-Jun Pathway in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Researchers found a protective mechanism was simultaneously activated which caused the reduced sensitivity of glioblastoma stem cells to the cytotoxicity of shikonin. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Effect of shRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing of Bmi-1 Expression on Chemosensitivity of CD44⁺ Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Researchers investigated the effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing of Bmi-1 expression on chemosensitivity of CD44⁺ nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer stem-like cells. [Technol Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

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REVIEWS

Aldehyde Dehydrogenases and Cancer Stem Cells
The authors review the function and regulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in cancer stem cells, particularly ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Key Roles of Hyaluronan and Its CD44 Receptor in the Stemness and Survival of Cancer Stem Cells
The authors address the key roles of hyaluronan and CD44 in cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal and maintenance. They also discuss the involvement of CD44 in the oxidative stress and multidrug resistance of CSCs. [Front Oncol] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cancer stem cell research field.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Successful FDA Submission Paves Way for Clinical Trial of Cancer Stem Cell Drug Candidate
Bionomics Limited announced that its BNC101 investigational new drug application submission to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been accepted. Bionomics plans to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in patients with metastatic colon cancer and in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer prior to December 31, 2015. [Bionomics Limited] Press Release

UC San Diego Cancer Researchers Receive NCI Outstanding Investigator Award
Four University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers have been selected to receive the newly established National Cancer Institute (NCI) Outstanding Investigator Award. The multi-million dollar awards fund new projects that have an unusual potential in cancer research over seven years. [UC San Diego] Press Release

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POLICY NEWS

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

EVENTS

NEW Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa
October 7-9, 2015
La Jolla, California

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cancer stem cell community.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Mass General Cancer Center/Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Vascular Biology/Cancerology (University of Toulouse)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mammalian Stem Cell Model System (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (National Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Development and Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer (University College London)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Research (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Positions- Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

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