Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.12 | Apr 2 2014

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Signaling Network Regulates Plasticity and Lineage Commitment of Lung Cancer Cells
Scientists identified a population of cells in the adult lung that bear the EpCAM+CD104+CD49f+CD44+CD24loSCA1+ phenotype and can be clonally expanded in culture, consistent with the properties of early progenitor cells. They showed that these cells, rather than being restricted to one tumor type, can give rise to several different types of cancer, including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Decreased Mitochondrial Priming Determines Chemoresistance of Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers exploited an assay that allowed them to measure chemotherapy-induced cell death in cancer stem cells and differentiated tumor cells simultaneously. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

YB-1 Transforms Human Mammary Epithelial Cells through Chromatin Remodeling Leading to the Development of Basal-Like Breast Cancer
There is growing evidence that cancer-initiation could result from epigenetic changes. Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) is a transcription/translation factor that promotes the formation of tumors in transgenic mice; however, the underlying molecular events are not understood. To explore this in a human model system, YB-1 was expressed in mammary epithelial cells under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. [Stem Cells] Abstract

SOX2 Regulates Self-Renewal and Tumorigenicity of Human Melanoma-Initiating Cells
Scientists found that sex-determining region Y-Box2 (SOX2) is highly expressed in melanoma stem cells. Knockdown of SOX2 sharply decreases self-renewal in melanoma spheres and in putative melanoma stem cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. [Oncogene] Full Article

Decreased TIP30 Promotes Snail-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor-Initiating Properties in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
In in vitro and in vivo studies, researchers showed that decreased Tat-interacting protein (TIP30) expression leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as well as enhanced motility and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Targeting of Preexisting and Induced Breast Cancer Stem Cells with Trastuzumab and Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1)
Primary HER2-overexpressing tumor cells as well as HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer cell lines were treated with T-DM1, and effects on survival, colony formation, gene and protein expression as well as antibody internalization were assessed. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Endothelial Secreted Factors Suppress Mitogen Deprivation-Induced Autophagy and Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells
Using a panel of 14 patient-derived glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), scientists report that ex vivo mitogen deprivation impaired self-renewal capability, abolished constitutive activation of the mTor pathway, and impinged on GSC survival via the engagement of autophagic and apoptotic cascades. [PLoS One] Full Article

Using SV119-Gold Nanocage Conjugates to Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells through a Combination of Photothermal and Chemo Therapies
Researchers demonstrated that the sigma-2 receptor is overexpressed on the surface of breast cancer stem cells, and thus could serve as a biomarker for the purpose of targeting. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

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Genmab Reaches $22 Million Milestone in Daratumumab Collaboration with Janssen
Genmab A/S announced it has reached the second milestone in its daratumumab collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. The $22 million milestone payment was triggered by progress in the ongoing Phase II study of daratumumab in multiple myeloma patients who have received at least three different lines of therapy, including both a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), or who are double refractory to a PI and an IMiD. [Genmab A/S] Press Release

Arizona Cancer Research Alliance & 21^st Century Oncology to Enroll Patients in CEL-SCI’s Global Phase III Head and Neck Cancer Trial
CEL-SCI Corporation announced it has expanded its Phase III Head and Neck Cancer clinical trial of its investigational cancer immunotherapy treatment Multikine* (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) in the U.S. with the addition of a new site in Scottsdale, Arizona. [CEL-SCI Corporation] Press Release

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NEW Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (IRCAN)

NEW Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Cancer (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia Research (City of Hope)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Cancer Biology and Evolution (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Glioblastoma, Oncolytic Virus and Cell Signaling (Ohio State University)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology and Evolution (Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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