Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.06 | Feb 19 2014

Stem Cell Characteristics in Glioblastoma Are Maintained by the Ecto-Nucleotidase E-NPP1
A sub-population of glioblastoma stem-like cells that shares properties with neural precursor cells has been described, exhibiting resistance to therapy and therefore being considered responsible for the high recurrence rate in glioblastoma. [Cell Death Diff] Abstract

SOCS3-Mediated Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines in PTEN and p53 Inactivated Triple Negative Breast Cancer Model
p53 and PTEN knockdown synergized to activate pro-inflammatory interleukin-6/Stat3/nuclear factor κB signaling. This resulted in generation of highly metastatic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like cancer stem cells resulting in tumors whose gene expression profile mimicked that found in basal/claudin-low molecular subtype within the triple negative breast tumors. [Oncogene] Abstract | Press Release

The TrkB+ Cancer Stem Cells Contribute to Post-Chemotherapy Recurrence of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers in an Orthotopic Mouse Model
Scientists showed that cancer stem cells derived from recurrent triple-negative breast cancers are endowed with increased self-renewal capacity as compared with those from the matched primary lesions. [Oncogene] Abstract

TAZ Is Required for Metastatic Activity and Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
The authors analyzed a set of patient-derived breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) lines. They found that in vitro BCSCs exhibit a higher chemoresistance and migratory potential when compared with differentiated, nontumorigenic, breast cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

RhoC Regulates Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Overexpressing IL-6 and Phosphorylation of STAT3
Scientists investigated the correlation between RhoC expression and cancer stem cells formation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The inhibition of RhoC function was achieved using shRNA. The expression of stem cell surface markers ALDH and CD44 were significantly low in two RhoC depleted HNSCC cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

Protein Kinase C-Delta Inactivation Inhibits the Proliferation and Survival of Cancer Stem Cells in Culture and In Vivo
Researchers demonstrate that cancer stem-like cell populations derived from multiple types of human primary tumors, from human cancer cell lines, and from transformed human cells, require protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) activity and are susceptible to agents which deplete PKCδ protein or activity. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Analysis of Multiple Markers for Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Human Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Lines
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) have been isolated using several markers, but those for thyroid CSCs remain to be confirmed. Investigators conducted a comprehensive search for thyroid CSC markers. [Endocr J]
Abstract | Full Article

Spatial Distribution of Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Investigators evaluated the patterns of CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 expression in the tumor center and in the invasive front, as well as in adjacent non-tumor epithelium, and correlated these findings with clinical parameters. [J Oral Pathol Med] Abstract

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Cell Adhesion Molecules and Their Relation to (Cancer) Cell Stemness
The authors draw comparison between reprogramming and carcinogenesis, as well as between stem cells and cancer stem cells, focusing on changing garniture of adhesion molecules. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

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OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Second Phase Ib Clinical Trial for OMP-54F28 (Fzd8-Fc) with Sorafenib (Nexavar^®) in Hepatocellular Cancer
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells, announced that it has started a multi-center Phase Ib clinical trial of OMP-54F28 (Fzd8-Fc) with sorafenib (Nexavar^®) in hepatocellular cancer. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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