Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.28 | Jul 17 2013

The Nuclear Coactivator Amplified in Breast Cancer 1 Maintains Tumor-Initiating Cells during Development of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Researchers showed that the nuclear receptor coactivator amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) is expressed at low levels in normal breast but is highly expressed in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions. AIB1 reduction in MCFDCIS cells was correlated with significant reduction in the CD24-/CD44+ breast cancer-initiating cell population, and a decrease in myoepithelial progenitor cells in the DCIS lesions in vitro and in vivo. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Suppress Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibiting PTGS2 (Cyclooxygenase 2) and NOTCH/HES1, and Activating PPARG in Colorectal Cancer
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in cancer relapse or metastasis. Scientists investigated the CSC-suppressing effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the relevant mechanisms in colorectal cancer. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Genetic Background Affects Susceptibility to Tumoral Stem Cell Reprogramming
The latest studies of the interactions between oncogenes and its target cell have shown that certain oncogenes may act as passengers to reprogram tissue-specific stem/progenitor cell into a malignant cancer stem cell state. Researchers showed that the genetic background influences this tumoral stem cell reprogramming capacity of the oncogenes using as a model the Sca1-BCRABLp210 mice, where the type of tumor they develop, chronic myeloid leukemia, is a function of tumoral stem cell reprogramming. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Decreases CD133 Colon Cancer Stem-Like Cell Marker Expression While Increasing Sensitivity to Chemotherapy
Investigators demonstrated that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increased the sensitivity of COLO 320 DM cells (total population) to both standard-of-care chemotherapies (5-Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin), whereas EPA increased the sensitivity of the CD133 (+) cancer stem-like cells to only 5-Fluorouracil. [PLoS One]
Full Article

miR-125b Inhibitor May Enhance the Invasion-Prevention Activity of Temozolomide in Glioblastoma Stem Cells by Targeting PIAS3
Researchers aimed to identify the effects and mechanism of action of an microRNA (miR)-125b inhibitor combined with temozolomide in the invasive pathogenesis of glioblastoma stem cells. [BioDrugs] Abstract

Ell3 Stimulates Proliferation, Drug Resistance, and Cancer Stem Cell Properties of Breast Cancer Cells via a MEK/ERK-Dependent Signaling Pathway
Ell3 is a RNA polymerase II transcription elongation factor that is enriched in testis. The C-terminal domain of Ell3 shows strong similarities to that of Ell (eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia gene), which acts as a negative regulator of p53 and regulates cell proliferation and survival. Results suggest that Ell3 may play a critical role in promoting oncogenesis in breast cancer by regulating cell proliferation and cancer stem cell properties via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Activation of the Phosphorylation of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Contributes to Radioresistance of Glioma Stem Cells
Researchers compared glioma stem cells (GSCs) with glioma cells to determine whether GSCs are responsible for the radioresistance phenotype and to elucidate whether cell cycle checkpoint proteins are responsible for the radioresistance of GSCs. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Cancer Stem Cells, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, and Drug Resistance in High-Grade Ovarian Serous Carcinoma
This review highlights current understanding of high-grade serous carcinoma, ovarian cancer stem cells, common methods for enrichment of ovarian cancer stem cells, mechanisms involved in drug resistance, and potential strategies for overcoming drug resistance, with associated potential controversies and pitfalls. [Hum Pathol] Abstract

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

Boston Biomedical Announces the Grand Opening of its Cambridge Headquarters
Boston Biomedical, Inc. celebrated the relocation of its headquarters to Cambridge, Massachusetts with a grand opening ceremony. Boston Biomedical is focusing on developing the next generation of targeted cancer therapeutics, and is recognized as an industry leader in the creation of drugs designed to target cancer stem cells which are highly malignant and considered to be fundamentally responsible for cancer growth, recurrence, drug-resistance and metastasis. [Boston Biomedical, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Signal Transduction, Cancer Metabolism and Cancer Stem Cells (City of Hope – Beckman Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Bases of Cancer Initiation and Progression (New York University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular and Cellular Oncology (VIB Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, University of Ghent)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

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

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

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