Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.44 | Nov 6 2013

Sox2 Promotes Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells
Investigators examined the role of cancer stem/progenitor cells in the development of resistance to the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. Tamoxifen-resistant cells were enriched for stem/progenitors and expressed high levels of the stem cell marker Sox2. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article

Co-Delivery of Thioridazine and Doxorubicin Using Polymeric Micelles for Targeting Both Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem Cells
Thioridazine, which was reported to kill cancer stem cells, was used in a combination therapy with doxorubicin (DOX) to eradicate both cancer cells and DOX-resistant cancer stem cells to mitigate the reoccurrence of the disease. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Mitochondrial Retrograde Signaling Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Generates Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that reducing mitochondrial DNA content in human mammary epithelial cells activates the Calcineurin-dependent mitochondrial retrograde signaling pathway, which induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like reprogramming to fibroblastic morphology, loss of cell polarity, contact inhibition and acquired migratory and invasive phenotype. [Oncogene] Abstract

Protein Kinase Cι Maintains a Tumor-Initiating Cell Phenotype that Is Required for Ovarian Tumorigenesis
Researchers demonstrated that Protein kinase Cι maintains a tumor-initiating cell (TIC) phenotype that drives ovarian tumorigenesis. A highly tumorigenic population of cells from human ovarian cancer cell lines exhibit properties of cancer stem-like TICs including self-renewal, clonal expansion, expression of stem-related genes, enhanced transformed growth in vitro, and aggressive tumor-initiating activity in vivo. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Osteosarcoma Cells Promote the Production of Pro-Tumor Cytokines in Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Inhibiting Their Osteogenic Differentiation through the TGF-β/Smad2/3 Pathway
Scientists examined the effects of osteosarcoma cells on both the production of pro-tumor cytokines by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Association of Genetic Variants of Cancer Stem Cell Gene CD44 Haplotypes with Gallbladder Cancer Susceptibility in North Indian Population
Germline variants in the CD44 gene have been associated with susceptibility to breast and nasopharyngeal carcinomas but no study in gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been done yet. The present study included 405 GBC patients and 200 healthy controls from North India. Tagger SNPs for CD44 were selected from the GIH population data. [Tumour Biol] Abstract

Atorvastatin Inhibited Rho-Associated Kinase 1 (ROCK1) and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) Mediated Adhesion and Differentiation of CD133⁺CD44⁺ Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Investigators analyzed the influence of atorvastatin on the cell adhesion and differentiation of CD133⁺CD44⁺ cells derived from prostate cancer biopsies and peripheral blood. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Regulation of Angiogenesis via Notch Signaling in Breast Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells
The authors focus on recent advancements in the knowledge of aberrant Notch signaling contributing to breast cancer angiogenesis, as well as its crosstalk with other factors contributing to angiogenesis and cancer stem cells. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

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OMP-54F28 (Fzd8-Fc) Program Reaches Dose Escalation Milestone in Phase Ia Clinical Trial; Triggers $15 Million Payment from Bayer Pharma AG
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has earned a $15 million milestone payment from Bayer Pharma AG related to achieving a dose escalation milestone in the Phase Ia clinical trial of OMP-54F28. OMP-54F28 is an antagonist of the Wnt pathway, a key cancer stem cell pathway. [GlobeNewswire, Inc.] Press Release

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Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Harvard Medical School)

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Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (University of Notre Dame)

Postdoctoral Position – Translational Research Studying Glioblastoma Biology (UC San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – RNA & Stem Cell Biology (Cancer Research Centre of Lyon)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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