Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.08 | Feb 27 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CPEB1 Coordinates Alternative 3′-UTR Formation with Translational Regulation
More than half of mammalian genes generate multiple messenger RNA isoforms that differ in their 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) and therefore in regulatory sequences, often associated with cell proliferation and cancer; however, the mechanisms coordinating alternative 3′-UTR processing for specific mRNA populations remain poorly defined. Researchers report that the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1), an RNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA translation, also controls alternative 3′-UTR processing. CPEB1-mediated 3′-UTR shortening correlates with cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Lineage Analysis of Basal Epithelial Cells Reveals Their Unexpected Plasticity and Supports a Cell-of-Origin Model for Prostate Cancer Heterogeneity
Researchers showed that initiation of prostate tumors in basal or luminal epithelial cells in mouse models results in tumors with distinct molecular signatures that are predictive of human patient outcomes. Furthermore, the authors’ analysis of untransformed basal cells reveals an unexpected assay dependence of their stem cell properties in sphere formation and transplantation assays versus genetic lineage tracing during prostate regeneration and adult tissue homeostasis. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Snail Homolog 1 Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cell-like Properties in Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-Negative Thyroid Cancer Cells
It is not clear if there is a link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in thyroid cancers. Researchers therefore investigated CSC properties of thyroid cancers that underwent EMT. [Thyroid] Abstract

Bmi1 Enhances Tumorigenicity and Cancer Stem Cell Function in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Results implicate Bmi1 in the invasiveness and growth of pancreatic cancer and demonstrate its key role in the regulation of pancreatic cancer stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

CD44 Staining of Cancer Stem-Like Cells Is Influenced by Down-Regulation of CD44 Variant Isoforms and Up-Regulation of the Standard CD44 Isoform in the Population of Cells that Have Undergone Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Researchers demonstrated that cancer stem-like cells with an epithelial phenotype predominantly express isoforms containing the variant exons, whereas the cancer stem-like cells that have undergone an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition down-regulate these variant isoforms and up-regulate expression of the standard CD44 isoform that contains no variant exons. [PLoS One] Full Article

Sphingosine Kinase 1 Plays a Role in the Upregulation of CD44 Expression through Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling in Human Colon Cancer Cells
The cancer stem cell marker CD44 increases cell resistance to anticancer drugs. Researchers used colon cancer cell lines to examine the relationship between sphingosine kinase 1 activity and CD44 expression. [Anticancer Drugs] Abstract

The CD133+ Subpopulation of the SW982 Human Synovial Sarcoma Cell Line Exhibits Cancer Stem-Like Characteristics
Investigators identified a cancer stem-like cell (CSC) subpopulation in SW982 cells using the CD133 cell surface marker. CD133-positive (CD133+) cells were identified in SW982 cells; these cells showed an increased ability to form spherical colonies and could self-renew in serum-starved culture conditions, compared to CD133-negative cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Induction of Tumor Stem Cell Differentiation – Novel Strategy to Overcome Therapy Resistance in Gastric Cancer
Researchers investigated if phosphoglycerate kinase 1 is a promising candidate in inducing stem cell differentiation in gastric cancer. [Langenbecks Arch Surg] Abstract

GenSpera Announces First Patient Treated in G-202 Phase II Hepatocellular Carcinoma Trial
GenSpera, Inc. announced that the first patient has been treated in the Phase II clinical trial of its lead compound, G-202, in patients who have hepatocellular carcinoma. GenSpera’s technology platform combines a powerful, plant-derived cytotoxin (thapsigargin) with a prodrug delivery system that targets release of the drug within the tumor. Unlike typical chemotherapeutic agents, thapsigargin kills cells irrespective of the rate of cell division, which may provide an effective approach to kill both fast- and slow-growing cancers as well as cancer stem cells. [GenSpera, Inc.] Press Release

Whitehead’s Robert Weinberg to Receive New Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Whitehead Institute Founding Member Robert Weinberg is among 11 scientists to receive the new Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, intended to recognize excellence in research aimed at curing intractable diseases and extending human life. [Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research] Press Release

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)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology and Stem Cell (University of Texas at Houston, Medical School)

Faculties in Cancer Biology & Immunotherapy (Huzhou University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scientist (Eli Lilly)

Postdoctoral Position (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

PhD Studentship Opportunity (University of East Anglia)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Epigenetics (Structural Genomics Consortium at University of Toronto)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Hematopoietic and Leukemia Stem Cells (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center)

PhD Student (Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus)

PhD Studentship – Signal Transduction and Cancer Research (Department of Medicine, McGill University)


Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cancer Stem Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.