Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.19 | May 21 2014

Mitochondrial Metabolism Directs Stemness and Differentiation in P19 Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells
Researchers compared mitochondrial physiology and metabolism between P19 stem cells before/after differentiation and present a unique fingerprint of the association between mitochondrial activity, cell differentiation and stemness. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Phage Display Discovery of Novel Molecular Targets in Glioblastoma-Initiating Cells
Targeting VAV3 by ribonucleic acid interference decreased glioma-initiating cell growth, migration, invasion and in vivo tumorigenesis. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

The Zinc Finger Transcription Factor ZFX Is Required for Maintaining the Tumorigenic Potential of Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Scientists demonstrate that the zinc finger and X-linked transcription factor (ZFX) maintains glioma stem cell self-renewal and tumorigenic potential by up-regulating c-Myc expression. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Coexpression of CD44-Positive/CD133-Positive Cancer Stem Cells and CD204-Positive Tumor-Associated Macrophages Is a Predictor of Survival in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Researchers investigated the coexpression of cancer stem cells and tumor-associated macrophages and its clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Cancer] Full Article

β-Elemene Inhibits Stemness, Promotes Differentiation and Impairs Chemoresistance to Temozolomide in Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells
β-elemene decreased the formation of glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) spheres, dispersed GSC spheres and inhi­bited the proliferation of GSCs in vitro and in vivo. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Combination of Sasa quelpaertensisi Nakai Leaf Extract and Cisplatin Suppresses the Cancer Stemness and Invasion of Human Lung Cancer Cells
Scientists investigated whether Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extracts and cisplatin, individually or in combination, would exert anti-cancer stem cell and antimetastatic effect in H1299 and A549 human lung cancer cells. [Integr Cancer Ther] Abstract

Histone Methyltransferase G9a and H3K9 Dimethylation Inhibit the Self-Renewal of Glioma Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers found that bix01294, the selective inhibitor of G9a, can stimulate the sphere formation rate of glioma cancer stem cells, together with increasing Sox2 and CD133 expression. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

YKL-40 Downregulation Is a Key Factor to Overcome Temozolomide Resistance in a Glioblastoma Cell Line
Researchers established a temozolomide-resistant U87 glioblastoma cell line in vitro and in vivo and investigated novel targeting molecules other than O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in those cells. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

A Multicompartment Mathematical Model of Cancer Stem Cell-Driven Tumor Growth Dynamics
Longevity and clonogenicity are properties unique to the subpopulation of cancer stem cells. To understand the implications of the population structure suggested by this hypothesis – a hierarchy consisting of cancer stem cells and progeny non-stem cancer cells which experience a reduction in their remaining proliferation capacity per division – the authors developed a mathematical model for the development of the aggregate population. [Bull Math Biol] Abstract

Gastric Cancer Stem Cells in Gastric Carcinogenesis, Progression, Prevention and Treatment
The discovery of cancer stem cell (CSCs) and their characteristics have contributed to understanding the molecular mechanism of tumor genesis and development, resulting in a new effective strategy for cancer treatment. Discussion of the recent development and advancements in gastric CSCs will be helpful for providing novel insight into gastric cancer treatment. [World J Gastroenterol] Full Article

Immunotherapy of Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors: Initial Findings and Future Prospective
Immunotherapy has raised enthusiasm in cancer therapy and its potential against cancer stem cells (CSCs) is an intriguing field of research. The authors review the immunotherapy approaches directed against CSCs in solid tumors. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

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

Pfizer to Submit Palbociclib New Drug Application with FDA Based on Final Results of PALOMA-1
Pfizer Inc. announced that it will submit a New Drug Application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for palbociclib, combined with letrozole, as first-line systemic treatment of post-menopausal women with estrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

Bold Initiative to Transform Cancer Care Established with a $100 Million Gift
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center announced the creation of the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology. Named in honor of Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis and the $100 million gift from their foundation, the CMO will enable researchers to speed the translation of new discoveries into routine clinical practice and reshape the design of clinical trials. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center] Press Release

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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)

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NEW PhD Scholarship – Inorganic Nanoparticles for Cancer Stem Cell Targeting and Detection (The Italian Institute of Technology)

Positions for Principal Investigators – Translational Medical Research of Cancer Biology (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology/Cancer Biology (Oregon Health and Science University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Genomics (University of Chicago)

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

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.)

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