Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 9.20 | May 27 2020

TOP STORY

LncRNA SOX2OT Promotes Temozolomide Resistance by Elevating SOX2 Expression via ALKBH5-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation in Glioblastoma

Scientists found that long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) SOX2OT was increased in temozolomide-resistant cells and recurrent glioblastoma patient samples, and abnormal expression was correlated with high risk of relapse and poor prognosis. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

EMP2 Is a Novel Regulator of Stemness in Breast Cancer Cells

In breast cancer cell lines, epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) overexpression increased and EMP2 knockdown decreased the proportion of stem-like cells as assessed by the expression of the CSC markers CD44⁺/CD24^–, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, or by tumor sphere formation. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

MAT2A as Key Regulator and Therapeutic Target in MLLr Leukemogenesis

Investigators used a human CRISPR/Cas9-mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia model, faithfully mimicking MLLr patients’ pathology with indefinite growth potential in vitro, to evaluate the unknown role of methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A). [Cancers] Full Article

Lenvatinib Suppresses Cancer Stem-Like Cells in HCC by Inhibiting FGFR 1-3 Signaling, but Not FGFR4 Signaling

Using in vitro and a preclinical in vivo xenograft mouse model, the authors showed that lenvatinib alone diminished CD44^High/CD133^High CSCs in hepatocellular carcinoma. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Differential Functions of ERK1 and ERK2 in Lung Metastasis Processes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

ERK2 knockdown significantly inhibited anchorage-independent colony formation and mammosphere formation, indicating compromised self-renewal capacity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Downregulation of miRNA-146a-5p Promotes Malignant Transformation of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells by Glioma Stem-Like Cells

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are reportedly involved in tumorigenesis initiated by glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). Scientists therefore established three different orthotopic models of GSC-MSC interactions in vivo using dual-color fluorescence tracing. [Aging (Albany NY)] Full Article

Salinomycin-Loaded PLA Nanoparticles: Drug Quantification by GPC and Wave Voltammetry and Biological Studies on Osteosarcoma Cancer Stem Cells

Entrapped salinomycin maintained its cytotoxic effect on CSCs and MG63 cells, with a potency comparable to the free drug and no evident benefit was detected for folate-decorated poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (PLA NPs) with respect to native PLA NPs. [Anal Bioanal Chem] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Transforming Growth Factor-β Mimics the Key Proteome Properties of CD133⁻ Differentiated and CD133⁺ Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma

Researchers compared the proteomes of CD133 CSCs and CD133⁻ differentiated glioblastoma cells stimulated by TGF-β, as well as the expression levels of the main proteins responsible for activating the signaling pathway of receptor interactions with the extracellular matrix. [Int Rev Neurobiol] Abstract

Identification of Glioma Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics Based on Weighted Gene Prognosis Module Co-Expression Network Analysis of Transcriptome Data Stemness Indices

Investigators found that corrected epigenetically regulated-mRNA expression-based stemness index was significantly up-regulated in glioma samples and increased with glioma grade, with G4 having the highest stemness index. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract

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Emerging Agents That Target Signaling Pathways in Cancer Stem Cells

The authors summarize the current research on the small-molecule compounds suppressing CSC progression, including inhibitors of Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and autophagy pathways, and activators of Hippo and ferroptosis pathways. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

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

MacroGenics Announces Registration Study of Flotetuzumab in Patients with Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

MacroGenics, Inc. announced plans for a clinical study intended to support registration in the US of flotetuzumab, an investigational, bispecific CD123 x CD3 DART^® molecule for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are refractory to induction therapy. [MacroGenics, Inc.] Press Release

Cellectar Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for CLR 131 in Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma/Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. announced the FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for CLR 131 in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia in patients having received two prior treatment regimens or more. [Cellectar Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

US Lawmakers Unveil Bold $100 Billion Plan to Remake NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) would get a sweeping remake-including a new name, a huge infusion of cash, and responsibility for maintaining US global leadership in innovation-under bipartisan bills that have been introduced in both houses of Congress. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

They Redesigned PubMed, a Beloved Website. It Hasn’t Gone Over Well

Unfortunately for PubMed’s caretakers, a sweeping redesign unveiled this week has left many PubMed users fuming-and airing their sometimes curse-laden complaints on social media. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Control of Cancer Stem Cell Biology (University of Freiburg)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Hematopoiesis, Leukemia, and Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes (The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics and Computational Biology of Stem Cell and Cancer Epigenetics (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Leukemia Metabolism (Children’s Medical Center Research Institute)

Assistant Professor – Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Leukemia Stem Cell Research (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute)

PhD Positions – Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cells (The Mildred Scheel Nachwuchszentrum for Cancer Research)

Scientist – Stem Cells and Cellular Biology (Athersys, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – DNA Repair in Leukemia (Temple University School of Medicine)

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