Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.01 | Jan 15 2014

Targeting Estrogen-Related Receptor Alpha Inhibits Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Stem Cell Properties of Ovarian Cancer Cells
Scientists showed that estrogen-related receptor alpha functions in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and subsequent stem cell traits responsible for the acquisition of high degree of aggressiveness and potential for metastasis that are characteristic of ovarian cancer. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Biomechanical Profile of Cancer Stem-Like/Tumor Initiating Cells Derived from a Progressive Ovarian Cancer Model
Researchers report the mechanical properties of ovarian cancer stem-like/tumor initiating cells. The represented model is a spontaneously transformed murine ovarian surface epithelial cell line that mimics the progression of ovarian cancer from early/non-tumorigenic to late/highly aggressive cancer stages. [Nanomedicine] Abstract

Nestin Delineates Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells in Metastatic Foci of NOD/Shi-Scid IL2Rγ^null (NOG) Mice
The characteristics and expression of markers associated with cancer stem cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of metastatic cells that developed in the liver and lung were then compared with parental cells. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Cells with Stem Cell-Like Properties Contribute to Tumor Generation, Metastasis and Chemotherapy Resistance through Hypoxia-Resistant Metabolism
Researchers generated spheroid cells from human ovarian cancer cell lines and primary ovarian cancer. Xenoengraftment of as few as 2000 dissociated spheroid cells into immune-deficient mice allowed full recapitulation of the original tumor, whereas >10⁵ parent tumor cells remained non-tumorigenic. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Global Gene Expression Analysis of Canine Osteosarcoma Stem Cells Reveals a Novel Role for COX-2 in Tumor Initiation
The authors report the successful isolation of cancer stem cells from primary canine osteosarcoma, as well as established cell lines. They showed that these cells can form tumorspheres, and demonstrate relative resistance to chemotherapy. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cisplatin Targets the Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1-CXC Chemokine Receptor Type 4 Axis to Suppress Metastasis and Invasion of Ovarian Cancer-Initiating Cells
Scientists investigated the effects of cisplatin on metastasis and invasion suppression of ovarian cancer-initiating cells by targeting the CXC chemokine receptor-4 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Side Populations from Cervical-Cancer-Derived Cell Lines Have Stem-Cell-Like Properties
The target cells for the transforming mutations caused by high-risk human papillomavirus infection could be the stem cells of the uterine cervical epithelium, generating particular cancer stem cells (CSCs). Investigators aimed to identify and characterize the CSCs from cervical-cancer-derived cell lines. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract

Sorting and Identification of Side Population Cells in the Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line HeLa
Scientists aimed to find out a feasible way to detect the tumor stem-like cells in cervical cancer, and to analyze the properties of the side population cells being sorted. [Cancer Cell Int] Abstract | Full Article

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OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates First Phase Ib Clinical Trial of OMP-54F28 (Fzd8-Fc) with Nab-Paclitaxel (Abraxane^®) and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells, or tumor-initiating cells, announced that it has started a multi-center Phase Ib clinical trial of its first-in-class Wnt-pathway-targeting decoy receptor OMP-54F28 (Fzd8-Fc) with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane®) and gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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