Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.29 | Jul 24 2013

The Prognostic Significance of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and CD133 Expression in Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Expression of ALDH1A1 and CD133, and coexpression of ALDH1A1 and CD133, is strongly associated with poor survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer following surgical resection. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that expression of stem cell markers correlates with recurrence as an indirect measure of self-renewal capacity. [Thorax] Full Article

TGM2 Inhibition Attenuates ID1 Expression in CD44-High Glioma-Initiating Cells
Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) was highly expressed in CD44-high glioblastoma tissues and tumor-derived glioma-initiating cell lines. Further studies indicated that expression of inhibitor of DNA binding 1 protein (ID1) is regulated by TGM2 and might be an important mediator for TGM2-regulated cell proliferation in CD44-high glioma-initiating cell lines. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

Characterizations of Human Prostate Stem Cells Reveal Deficiency in Class I UGT Enzymes as a Novel Mechanism for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Evidence increasingly supports that prostate cancer is initiated by the malignant transformation of stem cells (SCs). Furthermore, many SC-signaling pathways are shown to be shared in prostate cancer. Therefore, investigators planned transcriptome characterization of adult prostate SCs as a strategy to consider new targets for cancer treatment. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Attenuates Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cell Traits through Suppression of Notch Pathway
Investigators examined the anti-tumor effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) cancer stem cells (CSCs). They demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the self-renewal capacity of HNSC CSCs by suppressing their sphere forming capacity, and attenuates the expression of stem cell markers, such as Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and CD44. [Eur J Cancer] Abstract

The Role of CD133+ Cells in a Recurrent Embryonal Tumor with Abundant Neurophil and True Rosettes (ETANTR)
Researchers found that tumor stem cell marker CD133 was richly expressed after chemotherapy in recurrent ETANTR, while CD15 is depleted compared to that expressed in the original tumor, suggesting that CD133+ cells likely survived initial treatment, further contributing to formation of the recurrent tumor. [Brain Pathol] Abstract

Cancer Stem Cell-Like Side Population Cells in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Line 769P
The authors identified cancer stem cell-like cells with side population phenotype in five human renal cell carcinoma cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

Differential Remodeling of Cadherins and Intermediate Cytoskeletal Filaments Influence Microenvironment of Solid and Ascitic Sarcoma
Investigators characterized the deferentially remodeled microenvironment in solid and ascitic tumors by sequential immunohistochemistry and flowcytometric analysis of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and cytokeratin along with angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, they considered flowcytometric apoptosis and CD133 positive cancer stem cell analysis. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

The Role of MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Stem Cells
This review highlights the recent findings and crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the maintenance, growth and behavior of breast cancer stem cells, thus indicating the potential for novel diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic miRNA-based strategies. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Full Article

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

Defactinib in Combination with Weekly Paclitaxel Achieves a Complete Response in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Verastem, Inc. announced the confirmation of a complete response in an ongoing trial of VS-6063 (defactinib) in combination with weekly paclitaxel. [Verastem, Inc.] Press Release

U-M Start-Up OncoMed Has Initial Public Offering
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a company started at the University of Michigan (U-M) in 2004, raised $82 million in an initial public offering. The company stemmed from research in 2003 that identified cancer stem cells in breast cancer, the first time that these cells had been found in a solid tumor. [University of Michigan Health System] Press Release

Fred Hutch Team Receives $4 Million from the National Cancer Institute to Develop Precision Cancer Treatments
A research team headed by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists Christopher Kemp, Ph.D., and Carla Grandori, M.D., Ph.D., has received a $4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop precision therapies that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing normal, healthy tissue. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Biology (International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne´s University Hospital in Brno)

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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