Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.45 | Nov 13 2013

Triptolide Reverses Hypoxia-Induced EMT and Stem-Like Features in Pancreatic Cancer by NF-κB Downregulation
The plant-derived agent triptolide also known as “thunder god vine” has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and cancer and is now in Phase II trials. Scientists mimicked the situation in patient tumors by induction of hypoxia in experimental models of pancreatic cancer stem cells and evaluated the therapeutic effect of triptolide. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Twist2 Promotes Self-Renewal of Liver Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Regulating CD24
The authors demonstrated that Twist2 is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors. They showed that ectopic expression of Twist2 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotypes, augments cell migration and invasion and colony-forming abilities in human HCC cells in vitro, and promotes tumor growth in vivo. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

ALDH1A1 Defines Invasive Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Investigators isolated cancer stem-like cells from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line EC109 based on aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), and found that ALDH1A1^high cells possessed the capacities of self-renewal, differentiation and tumor initiation, indications of stem cell properties. [Mod Pathog] Abstract

Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunotherapy of Ovarian Cancer: Targeting Ovarian Cancer Cells with the B7-H3-Specific mAb 376.96
Investigators evaluated the anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 376.96, which recognizes a B7-H3 epitope expressed on ovarian carcinoma cells, in combination with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sunitinib and chemotherapy on chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells and cancer initiating cells. [Gynecol Oncol] Abstract

A High-Content Small Molecule Screen Identifies Sensitivity of Glioblastoma Stem Cells to Inhibition of Polo-Like Kinase 1
Researchers compared responses of human glioblastoma-derived neural stem cells and genetically normal neural stem cells to a panel of 160 small molecule kinase inhibitors. [PLoS One] Full Article

Anticancer Bioactive Peptide-3 Inhibits Human Gastric Cancer Growth by Suppressing Gastric Cancer Stem Cells
The effective components of anticancer bioactive peptide-3, a novel antitumor agent isolated from goat liver, were analyzed. The CD44⁺ fraction of the human gastric cancer cell line was isolated, and the cells within this fraction that could form spheroid colonies were identified as gastric cancer stem cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Grp78 as a Therapeutic Target for Refractory Head-Neck Cancer with CD24^–CD44⁺ Stemness Phenotype
Grp78 is known to have important roles in cytoprotection and tumorigenesis in several cancers. Researchers therefore examined whether Grp78 can serve as a therapeutic target for refractory stemness phenotype of head and neck cancer. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

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

From our sponsor: Free mouse hematopoietic progenitors wallchart. Request your copy.

CureVac Collaborates with the Cancer Research Institute and Ludwig Cancer Research to Enable Clinical Testing of Novel Immunotherapy Treatment Options for Cancer
The non-profit Cancer Research Institute and Ludwig Cancer Research, and CureVac, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that has pioneered the development of a new class of therapies and vaccines based on messenger RNA, announced that they will collaborate to enable clinical testing of novel cancer immunotherapy treatment options. [CureVac] Press Release

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)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell Biology (University of Cincinnati)

Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Harvard Medical School)

Assistant Professor – Fundamental Mechanisms in Cancer Biology (Cornell University)

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.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.