Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.21 | Jun 4 2014

STAT3 Signaling Is Activated Preferentially in Tumor-Initiating Cells in Claudin-Low Models of Human Breast Cancer
Using in vivo claudin-low cell line xenograft models of human breast cancer, scientists found that STAT3 signaling reporter activity is associated with a subpopulation of cancer cells enriched for mammosphere-forming efficiency, as well as tumor-initiating cells function in limiting dilution transplantation assays compared to negative or unsorted populations. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Chromatinized PKC-θ Directly Regulates Inducible Genes in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Scientists report for the first time that protein kinase C-theta (PKC-θ) promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition by acting as a critical chromatin-anchored switch for inducible genes via TGF-β and the key inflammatory regulatory protein, NF-κB. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Estrogen Promotes Stemness and Invasiveness of ER-Positive Breast Cancer Cells through Gli1 Activation
Considering that Gli1, part of the Sonic hedgehog developmental pathway, has been shown to mediate cancer stem cells (CSCs), researchers investigated whether estrogen and Gli1 could promote CSCs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in estrogen receptor (ER)+ breast cancer cell lines. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

CD10 as a Novel Marker of Therapeutic Resistance and Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Three head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were treated with cisplatin or radiation. Cell surface antigens were analyzed by LyoPlate, a novel cell surface antigen array. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

High Throughput Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR Assays Revealing Over-Expression of Cancer Testis Antigen Genes in Multiple Myeloma Stem Cell-Like Side Population Cells
Scientists designed a high throughput assay, which allowed simultaneous relative quantifying expression of 90 cancer testis antigens (CTA) genes associated with multiple myeloma (MM). In the three MM cell lines tested, six CTA genes were over-expressed in two and LUZP4 and ODF1 were universally up-regulated in all three cell lines. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

Tumor-Associated Macrophages Promote Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties via Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Researchers aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying the crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were used to investigate the effects of TAMs on mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa1-6 cells in vivo and in vitro. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

CD271⁺ Osteosarcoma Cells Display Stem-Like Properties
Investigators identified CD271⁺ subpopulation of osteosarcoma displaying stem-like properties. They discovered that CD271 was expressed differentially in diverse types of human osteosarcoma and stabilized cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Glioblastoma-Derived Stem Cells
Scientists isolated glioblastoma-derived stem cells from glioblastoma multiforme tissue removed from patients during surgery and analyzed their gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract

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Verastem Presents Updated Clinical Data from VS-6063 and Paclitaxel Combination Phase I/Ib Study in Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Verastem presented interim data from the ongoing Phase I/Ib trial of its lead product candidate, VS-6063 (defactinib), an oral small molecule that targets cancer stem cells through the inhibition of focal adhesion kinase, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer. [Press release from Verastem, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago]
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Tekmira Initiating Phase I/II Clinical Trial in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced they have met all regulatory requirements to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of TKM-PLK1 in patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. [Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

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Research Officers – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Genome Institute of Singapore)

PhD Studentship – Cancer Studies (Cardiff University)

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)

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

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

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (IRCAN)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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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