Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.22 | Jun 5 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting of the MNK-eIF4E Axis in Blast Crisis Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Inhibits Leukemia Stem Cell Function
Researchers showed that the MAP kinase interacting serine/threonine kinase (MNK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) axis is overexpressed in blast crisis (BC) granulocyte macrophage progenitors (GMPs) but not normal hematopoietic stem cells, and that MNK kinase-dependent eIF4E phosphorylation at serine 209 activates β-catenin signaling in BC GMPs. They found that a panel of small molecule MNK kinase inhibitors prevented eIF4E phosphorylation, β-catenin activation, and BC leukemia stem cell function in vitro and in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Induces MLL to Create Epigenetic Changes in Salivary Gland Tumors
Investigators showed that activation of Wnt/β-catenin and attenuation of Bmp signals, by combined gain- and loss-of-function mutations of β-catenin and Bmpr1a, respectively, results in rapidly growing, aggressive squamous cell carcinomas in the salivary glands of mice. Tumors contain transplantable and hyperproliferative tumor propagating cells, which can be enriched by fluorescence activated cell sorting. [EMBO J] Abstract

Chromatin Regulator PRC2 Is a Key Regulator of Epigenetic Plasticity in Glioblastoma
Tumor cell plasticity contributes to functional and morphological heterogeneity. To uncover the underlying mechanisms of this plasticity, researchers examined glioma stem-like cells (GSC) where they found that the biological interconversion between GSCs and differentiated non-GSCs is functionally plastic and accompanied by gain or loss of PRC2, a complex that modifies chromatin structure. [Cancer Res] Abstract

A Preclinical Xenograft Model Identifies Castration-Tolerant Cancer-Repopulating Cells in Localized Prostate Tumors
A model system was developed in which stromal-supported xenografts from multiple patients with early-stage localized disease can be tested for response to castration. After four weeks of castration, residual populations of quiescent, stem-like tumor cells remained. Without subsequent treatment, these residual cells displayed regenerative potential, because testosterone readministration resulted in emergence of rapidly proliferating tumors. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Targeting Breast Cancer Initiating/Stem Cells with Melanoma Differentiation Associated Gene-7/Interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24)
Scientists elucidated the role of MDA-7/IL-24 in inhibiting growth of breast cancer initiating/stem cells. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Phenotypic Characterization of Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated a functional role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in four new validated human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines (THJ-11T, THJ-16T, THJ-21T and THJ-29T). They identified and enriched CSCs using a spheroid-forming assay. [PLoS One] Full Article

Targeting CD133 in an In Vivo Ovarian Cancer Model Reduces Ovarian Cancer Progression
The hypothesis driving this study is that despite their low numbers in ovarian cancer tumors, cancer stem cells can be eradicated using CD133 targeted therapy and tumor growth can be inhibited. [Gynecol Oncol] Abstract

Enrichment of Putative Prostate Cancer Stem Cells after Androgen Deprivation: Upregulation of Pluripotency Transactivators Concurs with Resistance to Androgen Deprivation in LNCaP Cell Lines
In contrast to approaches of using side populations and cell-surface markers to isolate and characterize the putative prostate cancer stem cells (PCSC), the authors hypothesized that androgen deprivation leads to functional enrichment of putative PCSC. [Prostate] Abstract

Stem Cell Therapeutics’ Clinical Advisor and Collaborator Receives Prestigious National Award
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. announced that Dr. Aaron Schimmer has been awarded a prestigious national award for his groundbreaking cancer research for the second time in approximately a year. [Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.] Press Release

CDRD and CDRD Ventures Inc. Enter into a Collaboration with GSK to Advance the Development and Commercialization of Canadian Health Research
The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), its commercial arm, CDRD Ventures Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Canada announced they have entered into a strategic collaboration that will provide new financial resources as well as leading drug development expertise to be applied to the development and commercialization of health research conducted in Canadian research institutions. [GlaxoSmithKline Inc.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

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)

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology and Stem Cell (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer/Stem Cell Biology (University of Cincinnati College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Salivary Gland Cancers (Yale School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Cancer (Tsinghua University)

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

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

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


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