Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.26 | Jul 9 2014

Sequencing of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Populations Indicates a Dynamic Conversion between Differentiation States In Vivo
Researchers undertook exome sequencing of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) from 12 breast cancer patients, along with paired primary tumor samples. Their analysis revealed that the majority of somatic mutations are shared between CSCs and bulk primary tumors, with similar frequencies in the two. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Novel Role of Pancreatic Differentiation 2 in Facilitating Self-Renewal and Drug Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Knockdown of pancreatic differentiation 2 in cancer stem cells resulted in reduced viability of cells and enhanced apoptosis along with abrogated expression of CD133 and MDR2. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Viral Oncogene Expression in the Stem/Progenitor Cell Compartment of the Mouse Intestine Induces Adenomatous Polyps
Expression of a truncated SV40 large T-antigen in murine intestinal crypts promoted the formation of numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon and small intestine. In contrast, when the same T-antigen construct is expressed in villous enterocytes the consequences are limited to hyperplasia and dysplasia. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Reversing Paclitaxel Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the ABCB1 Expressing Side Population
Researchers demonstrate that side population (SP) cells can be detected in both ovarian cancer cell lines and ascitic fluid samples, and these SP cells possess stem cell and drug resistance properties. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Upregulation of Autophagy by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Promotes EMT and Metastatic Ability of CD133⁺ Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells during Intermittent Hypoxia
Researchers examined if intermittent hypoxia facilitates the invasiveness of human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1 and BxPC-3) by Transwell assay. They used western blotting and flow cytometry analysis to quantify stem-like cells in the migratory cells during intermittent hypoxia in the human pancreatic cancer cells. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Retroviral-Infection Increases Tumorigenic Potential of MDA-MB-231 Breast Carcinoma Cells by Expanding an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH1) Positive Stem-Cell Like Population
Scientists demonstrate that transduction of human breast carcinoma cells (MDA-MB231) with LXSN and QCXIP retroviral vectors causes significant increases in growth rate, clonogenic fraction, and aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 positive cells, which is associated with increased steady-state levels of cancer stem cell populations. [Redox Biol] Full Article

Growth Arrest and Forced Differentiation of Human Primary Glioblastoma Multiforme by a Novel Small Molecule
Researchers show that the treatment of the novel small molecule, CG500354, into CD133-expressing human primary GBM cells induces growth arrest by cell cycle regulators, p53, p21, p27 and phase-specific cyclins, and neural differentiation, as confirmed by neural progenitor/precursor markers, nestin, GFAP and Tuj1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Breast Cancer Stem Cells and the Immune System: Promotion, Evasion and Therapy
The authors summarize a small, pioneering body of evidence for the potentially important function of the “immuniche” in maintaining and supporting breast cancer stem cells. [J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia] Abstract

MicroRNAs in Cancer Stem Cells: Current Status and Future Directions
The authors critically analyze the advancement of the miRNA research in cancer stem cell (CSC) context and also explores the prospect of miRNA therapies against CSCs. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

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Compugen Discloses Achievement of Milestone in Cancer Immunotherapy Collaboration with Bayer
Compugen Ltd. disclosed that it has achieved the initial milestone in the cancer immunotherapy collaboration it entered with Bayer HealthCare. The collaboration provides for the development and commercialization of therapeutic antibodies against two checkpoint protein candidates discovered by Compugen. [Compugen Ltd.] Press Release

Amgen Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Investigational BiTE^® Antibody Blinatumomab in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Amgen announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough therapy designation to investigational bispecific T cell engager (BiTE^®) antibody blinatumomab, for adults with Philadelphia-negative relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. [Amgen Inc.] Press Release

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PhD Candidate – Mammary Stem Cell Biology (University of Amsterdam)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (University of California, San Diego)

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

Research Assistant/Research Associate – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (University of North Texas Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

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

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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