Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 8.12 | Apr 3 2019

TOP STORY

Bcor Loss Perturbs Myeloid Differentiation and Promotes Leukaemogenesis

Inactivation of BCL6 Corepressor (Bcor) in hematopoietic stem cells resulted in expansion of myeloid progenitors and co-operated with oncogenic Kras^G12D in the initiation of aggressive and fully transplantable acute leukemia. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting Bivalency De-Represses Indian Hedgehog and Inhibits Self-Renewal of Colorectal Cancer-Initiating Cells

Researchers showed that colorectal cancer-initiating cells (C-ICs) were maintained in a stem-like state through a bivalent epigenetic mechanism. Disruption of the bivalent state through inhibition of the H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2, resulted in decreased self-renewal of patient-derived C-ICs. [Nat Commun] Full Article

The Hematopoietic Oxidase NOX2 Regulates Self-Renewal of Leukemic Stem Cells

Transcriptional analysis of purified leukemia-initiating stem cell populations revealed that deficiency of NOX2 collapsed the self-renewal program and activated inflammatory and myeloid-differentiation-associated programs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Cancer Stem Cell Self-Renewal as a Therapeutic Target in Human Oral Cancer

Treatment of pre-established human oral cancer xenografts with a BMI1 inhibitor resulted in abrogation of tumor progression and reduced the frequency of CSCs in xenografts. The BMI1 inhibitor had therapeutic effects in cisplatin-resistant tumors and could reduce metastases initiated by circulating CSCs. [Oncogene] Abstract

Stearoyl CoA Desaturase Is Essential for Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis and Tumor Growth in Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells

Scientists reported that glioblastoma stem-like cells depended on the adaptive activation of ER stress and subsequent activation of lipogenesis and particularly stearoyl CoA desaturase, which promoted ER homeostasis, cytoprotection, and tumor initiation. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Inhibition of USP2 Eliminates Cancer Stem Cells and Enhances TNBC Responsiveness to Chemotherapy

Investigators identified that USP2 deubiquitinating enzyme was upregulated in CSCs and was a novel regulator of CSCs. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of USP2 substantially inhibited the self-renewal, expansion and chemoresistance of CSCs. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Co-Regulatory Network of Oncosuppressor miRNAs and Transcription Factors for Pathology of Human Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells (HCSC)

The authors compiled 15 down-regulated miRNA and their validated and predicted up-regulated targets in HCSC. The targets were enriched for several cancer cell stemness hallmarks and CSC pre-metastatic niche, which supported these miRNAs’ role in suppression of HCSC neoplastic transformation.” [Sci Rep] Full Article

Identification of Stemness in Primary Retinoblastoma Cells by Analysis of Stem-Cell Phenotypes and Tumorigenicity with Culture and Xenograft Models

The immaturity of cultured primary retinoblastoma (RB) cells was demonstrated by highly expressed stem-cell markers and suppressed mature retinal-cell markers. CD133, a neural stem-cell marker being exclusively studied in RB, was found positive in small patches of cells in archival human RB by immunohistochemistry. [Exp Cell Res] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Inhibitor BKM120 Synergize to Promote Killing of Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells

The efficacy of two different oHSVs in prostate cancer sphere-forming cells (PCSCs) was tested alone and in combination with radiation, chemotherapy, and inhibitors of PI3K, Wnt, and NOTCH in vitro, and G47Δ with the PI3K inhibitor BKM120 in a PCSC-derived tumor model in vivo. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Full Article

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Stem Cells in Homeostasis and Cancer of the Gut

The authors present an overview of the current knowledge on intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in homeostasis and their role in malignant transformation. Specifically, the dynamics of cancer stem cells bear important resemblance to ISC functionality. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

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Bio-Path Holdings Presents Preclinical Data

Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. announced that data from preclinical studies supporting the potential of BP1003, a novel liposome-incorporated STAT3 oligodeoxynucleotide inhibitor, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia were presented in a poster. [Press release from Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Imvax Announces Positive Results from Clinical Trial of Novel IGV-001 Autologous Cell Vaccine in Treating Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Imvax, Inc. announced positive results from an ongoing Phase Ib clinical trial that demonstrate treatment with IGV-001, the company’s novel autologous tumor cell vaccine, outperformed standard of care with prolonged overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. [Press release from Imvax, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Imbrium Therapeutics Announces US FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Tinostamustine for the Treatment of T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia

Imbrium Therapeutics L.P. announced that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to its investigational drug tinostamustine, a potentially first-in-class alkylating deacetylase inhibiting molecule being studied in early phase clinical trials, for the treatment of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. [Imbrium Therapeutics L.P. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Inaugural AACR-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields Research Grant Recipients Announced

The recipients of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields research grants were announced on April 2. The grants represent a joint effort between Novocure and the AACR to promote and support innovative research on tumor treating fields. [American Association for Cancer Research (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Australia Budget Fails to Impress Scientists

Australians are just weeks from a national election and the government’s latest budget prioritizes tax cuts, roads and small businesses ahead of spending on science. Projects in nuclear medicine, environment protection and gender equality in science received modest investments. But there was no new money for research grants, and universities would be worse off under the proposal. [Nature News] Editorial

India’s Clinical-Trial Rules to Speed Up Drug Approvals

India has announced new rules for clinical trials that will speed up drug approvals and remove the requirement for large studies to test the efficacy of drugs that have already been approved in other nations. The country will also introduce regulations for universities undertaking research involving people. [Nature News] Editorial

Staff Scientists at the University of California Set to Form a First-of-Its-Kind Union

There are 5,000 of them within the University of California system, with titles like project scientist or professional researcher. They’re not on the tenure track, but they power one of the world’s most prolific research institutions. Now, organizers are in the final stages of setting up a first-of-its-kind union exclusively for academic researchers who are not faculty, postdocs, or graduate students. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Neural Environment in Disease – Glial Responses and Neuroinflammation
June 16-20, 2019
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer and Glioma Stem Cell Biology (Cornell University)

Research Fellow – Developmental Biology & Cancer (University College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioblastoma Multiforme Research (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Washington University in St. Louis)

Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor – Breast Cancer (University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center)

Lecturer – Developmental Biology and Cancer (University College London)

Postdoctoral Associate – 3D Epigenetic Landscape at Single Cell Level (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)

Postdoctoral & Research Associate Positions – Cancer, Cancer Stem Cells, Normal Development, and Aging (Johns Hopkins University)

Faculty Position – Prostate Cancer Biology and Cancer Epigenetics (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Tenure Track Faculty Position – Cancer Biology & Therapeutics (Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth)

Postdoctoral Position – Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells (University of Minnesota)

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