Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.02 | Jan 22 2014

Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Converge on MicroRNA-134 to Control KRAS, STAT5B, and Glioblastoma
The authors showed that the receptor tyrosine kinases MET, EGFR, and PDGFR regulate microRNA-134 (miR-134) in glioblastoma. They found that miR-134 is downregulated in human tumors and cancer stem cells and that its expression inversely correlates with the activation of MET, EGFR, and PDGFR. [Cell Death Diff] Abstract

Inhibition of CXCR7 Extends Survival following Irradiation of Brain Tumors in Mice and Rats
Investigators used neurosphere formation assays with human glioblastoma multiforme xenografts to determine whether CXCR7 is required for cancer stem cell activity in vitro. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

CD133+ Cells Contribute to Radioresistance via Altered Regulation of DNA Repair Genes in Human Lung Cancer Cells
The prominin 1 (CD133) cell surface protein is proposed to be a marker enriching for cancer stem cells. Scientists explored the importance of DNA repair in contributing to radioresistance in CD133+ lung cancer cells. [Radiother Oncol] Abstract

CXCL12 Secreted from Glioma Stem Cells Regulates Their Proliferation
To provide evidence for establishing a new therapy targeting the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway, researchers investigated whether CXCL12 secreted from glioma stem cells (GSCs) contributed to their proliferation and promoted angiogenesis in murine GSCs. [J Neurooncol] Abstract

Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells Identified through 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Assisted Surgery
Researchers analyzed the phenotype of Glioblastoma (GBM) cells isolated from distinct tumor areas determined by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) (tumor core, 5-ALA intense and vague layers) and the potency of 5-ALA labeling in identifying GBM cells and cancer stem cells in the mass. [J Neurooncol] Abstract

The Impact of Arsenic Trioxide and All-Trans Retinoic Acid on p53 R273H-Codon Mutant Glioblastoma
The effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), possible targeted treatments of cancer stem cells, were investigated in U87MG neurospheres. The results showed that U87-p53^R273H cells generated more rapid neurosphere growth than U87-p53^wt but inhibition of neurosphere proliferation was seen with both ATO and ATRA. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Ovarian Cancer Stem Cell-Specific Gene Expression Profiling and Targeted Drug Prescreening
Scientists compared ovarian cancer stem cell (OVCSC) expression profiles in normal ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian cells from patients with advanced disease to identify key pathways and specific molecular signatures involved in ovarian cancer progression and to prescreen candidate small-molecule compounds with anti-OVCSC activity. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

ZFHX4 Interacts with the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Core Member CHD4 and Regulates the Glioblastoma Tumor-Initiating Cell State
To understand the regulation of the tumor-initiating cell (TIC) state, researchers performed an image-based screen for genes regulating glioblastoma TIC maintenance and identified ZFHX4, a 397 kDa transcription factor. ZFHX4 is required to maintain TIC-associated and normal human neural precursor cell phenotypes in vitro, suggesting that ZFHX4 regulates differentiation, and its suppression increases glioma-free survival in intracranial xenografts. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Merck Initiates Rolling Submission of U.S. Biologics License Application for MK-3475, an Investigational Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy, in Patients with Advanced Melanoma
Merck said it has started a rolling submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a Biologics License Application for MK-3475, the company’s investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, for patients with advanced melanoma who have been previously treated with ipilimumab. [Merck] Press Release

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