Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.17 | May 7 2014

Progranulin Promotes Temozolomide Resistance of Glioblastoma by Orchestrating DNA Repair and Tumor Stemness
Researchers showed that progranulin (PGRN) was overexpressed in most glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines and the majority of human tumor samples. PGRN overexpression conferred GBM cells with tumorigenic properties and temozolomide resistance by upregulating DNA repair and cancer stemness genes, in part via an AP-1 transcription factor, specifically cFos/JunB. [Oncogene] Abstract

Chloroquine Targets Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibition of CXCR4 and Hedgehog Signaling
Researchers screened established and new compounds for their ability to eliminate cancer stem cells in primary pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and corresponding patient-derived pancreatic cancer tissue xenografts in vivo. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Anti-Neoplastic Activity of Low-Dose Endothelial-Monocyte Activating Polypeptide-II Results from Defective Autophagy and G2/M Arrest Mediated by PI3 K/Akt/FoxO1 Axis in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Investigators demonstrated that low-dose endothelial-monocyte activating polypeptide-II reduces cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

XAV939 Inhibits the Stemness and Migration of Neuroblastoma Cancer Stem Cells via Repression of Tankyrase 1
Scientists showed that the surface marker CD133 method was more suitable for isolating neuroblastoma (NB) cancer stem cells (CSCs) than the side-population method, and 60 µM etoposide was optimal for enriching NB CSCs. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Downregulation of SCAI Enhances Glioma Cell Invasion and Stem Cell Like Phenotype by Activating wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling
Researchers found that levels of suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) protein and mRNA expression were significantly downregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of SCAI inhibited, but silencing of SCAI robustly promoted the invasive and cancer stem cell-like phenotypes of glioma cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

NOTCH1 Signaling Promotes Chemoresistance via Regulating ABCC1 Expression in Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Scientists revealed that the sorted prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) showed enhanced chemoresistance ability than matched non-PCSCs. Protein level of activated form of NOTCH1 was significantly higher in PCSCs. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Wnt-Responsive Cancer Stem Cells Are Located Close to Distorted Blood Vessels and Not in Hypoxic Regions in a p53-Null Mouse Model of Human Breast Cancer
Researchers analyzed the relationship between a Wnt-responsive, cancer stem cells-enriched population and the tumor vasculature using p53-null mouse mammary tumors transduced with a lentiviral Wnt signaling reporter. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Thyroid Cancer
The authors focus on current studies about thyroid cancer stem-like cells, the processes of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and mesenchymal to epithelial transition that provide plasticity to cancer stem-like cell growth in addition to the role of microRNAs in cancer stem cell development and regulation. [Endocr Relat Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and the Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype: Insights from Cancer Biology with Therapeutic Implications for Colorectal Cancer
Researchers highlight the recent evidence linking epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition with aggressive tumor biology as well as with the cancer stem cells across multiple organ systems including colon cancer. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

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

Actinium Announces Start of Collaboration to Manufacture Iomab^TM-B for Phase III Clinical Trial and Commercialization
Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it made further steps towards centralized current good manufacturing practice manufacturing of its lead drug candidate Iomab™-B. Iomab™-B is being developed to enable bone marrow transplants in patients affected by relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. [Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

UGA to Use $5 Million Gift to Support Center for Molecular Medicine
A $5 million gift to support the Center for Molecular Medicine at the University of Georgia (UGA) will allow the institution to greatly advance its research into human disease. [University of Georgia] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Interested in assays for human mammary stem and progenitor cells? Request your free wallchart.

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 Researcher – Cancer Genomics (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Development and Stem Cells (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (University of Cincinnati)

Faculty Position – Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology (Oregon Health & Science University)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center [DKFZ])

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (IRCAN)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Cancer (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (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.