Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.19 | May 15 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

ROS Production and NF-κB Activation Triggered by RAC1 Facilitate WNT-Driven Intestinal Stem Cell Proliferation and Colorectal Cancer Initiation
Investigators showed that RAC1 is a critical mediator of tumorigenesis after adenomatous polyposis coli loss. They found that RAC1 is required for expansion of the LGR5 intestinal stem cell signature, progenitor hyperproliferation, and transformation. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Genome-Wide RNAi Screens in Human Brain Tumor Isolates Reveal a Novel Viability Requirement for PHF5A
To identify key regulators of human brain tumor maintenance and initiation, researchers performed multiple genome-wide RNAi screens in patient-derived glioblastoma multiforme stem cells. [Genes Dev] Abstract

PI3Kα Activates Integrin α4β1 to Establish a Metastatic Niche in Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are initial sites of tumor metastasis, yet whether the lymph node microenvironment actively promotes tumor metastasis remains unknown. Researchers showed that VEGF-C/PI3Kα-driven remodeling of lymph nodes promotes tumor metastasis by activating integrin α4β1 on lymph node lymphatic endothelium. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Stress Response Protein RBM3 Attenuates the Stem-Like Properties of Prostate Cancer Cells by Interfering with CD44 Variant Splicing
The cold-inducible RNA-binding protein RBM3 is upregulated in several types of cancer including prostate cancer, but its pathogenic contributions are undetermined. RBM3 overexpression in prostate cancer cells attenuated their stem cell-like properties in vitro as well as their tumorigenic potential in vivo. [Cancer Res] Abstract

The Novel c-Met Inhibitor Cabozantinib Overcomes Gemcitabine Resistance and Stem Cell Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer
A new treatment option in phase II trials is cabozantinib that inhibits the pancreatic cancer stem cell surface marker and tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met. Researchers evaluated the effect of cabozantinib to stem-like features and therapy resistance. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Inhibition of CK2α Down-Regulates Notch1 Signaling in Lung Cancer Cells
Investigators showed, for the first time, that CK2α is a positive regulator of Notch1 signaling in lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1299. The inhibition of CK2α led to a reduced proportion of stem-like CD44+/CD24- cell population. [J Cell Mol Med] Abstract | Full Article

Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma in Malignant Pleural Effusion Enriches Cancer Stem Cell Properties during Metastatic Cascade
Researchers aimed to confirm whether cancer stem cells in malignant pleural effusion contribute to the “metastatic cascade” through the epithelial – mesenchymal transition, anoikis, and adaptation in the microenvironment. [PLoS One] Full Article

Lgr5 Expression as Stem Cell Marker in Human Gastric Gland and Its Relatedness with Other Putative Cancer Stem Cell Markers
To explore Lgr5 as the possible stem cell marker in human gastric tissue, 259 normal gastric tissues and dissected gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence double staining and qRT-PCR. [Gene] Abstract

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase Ib/II Clinical Trial of Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Therapeutic OMP-59R5 (Anti-Notch2/3) in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Amends Phase Ib/II Pancreatic Cancer Trial
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced clinical progress with its Anti-Notch2/3 product candidate, which will trigger an $8 million milestone payment from the company’s strategic collaborator GlaxoSmithKline. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Jack Green Joins Verastem as Chief Financial Officer
Verastem, Inc., focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, announced the appointment of John “Jack” Green as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Green was the former Chief Financial Officer of GTC Biotherapeutics and has held multiple senior finance roles in public and private biotechnology companies over the course of his career. [Verastem, Inc.] Press Release

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EVENT SPONSOR MSC 2013 – Adult Stem Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine

MSC 2013 will offer a forum for the exchange and discussion of research, ideas, and cutting-edge breakthroughs in translational regenerative medicine.

August 19-21, 2013
Cleveland, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Cancer (Tsinghua University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Microenvironment & Pancreatic Cancer (INSERMU1068)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

PhD Studentship Opportunity – Tumor-Initiating Melanoma Cells (University of East Anglia)

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

Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Stem Cells (University of California, Berkeley)

Postdoctoral Scholarship – Leukemia Stem Cell Biology (Lund University – Faculty of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Defining and Targeting Leukemic Stem Cells in Acute Leukemia (University of Oxford)


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