TLR9 is Critical for Glioma Stem Cell Maintenance and Targeting Scientists show that the Toll-like receptor TLR9 is elevated in glioma stem-like cells (GSC) where it contributes to glioma growth. TLR9 overexpression is regulated by STAT3 which was required for GSC maintenance. [Cancer Res] Abstract Elimination of Quiescent/Slow-Proliferating Cancer Stem Cells by Bcl-XL Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Scientists found that Bcl-XL is constantly expressed by lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and has a prominent role in regulating LCSC survival. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract Knockdown of PTHR1 in Osteosarcoma Cells Decreases Invasion and Growth and Increases Tumor Differentiation In Vivo Researchers used shRNA to reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein receptor (PTHR1) expression. This only mildly inhibited proliferation in vitro, but markedly reduced invasion through collagen and reduced expression of RANK ligand. Administration of PTH(1-34) did not stimulate osteosarcoma proliferation in vivo but, strikingly, PTHR1 knockdown resulted in a profound growth inhibition and increased differentiation/mineralization of the tumors. [Oncogene] Abstract DAB2IP Regulates Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes through Modulating Stem Cell Factor Receptor and ZEB1 Scientists demonstrate that the loss of DAB2IP, a novel Ras-GTPase activating protein frequently found in many cancer types, is associated with cancer stem cell properties. [Oncogene] Abstract NPPB Is a Novel Candidate Biomarker Expressed by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts In Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Researchers report establishing in vitro and in vivo models of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in ovarian cancer development. Normal ovarian fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells cultured in the presence of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) cells acquired a CAF-like phenotype, and promoted EOC cell migration in vitro. [Int J Cancer] Abstract FZD7 Drives In Vitro Aggressiveness in Stem-A Subtype of Ovarian Cancer via Regulation of Non-Canonical Wnt/PCP Pathway To elucidate the functional roles of frizzled family receptor 7 (FZD7), researchers used an RNA interference gene knockdown approach in three Stem-A cell lines: CH1, PA1 and OV-17R. Si-FZD7 ovarian cancer cells showed reduced cell proliferation with an increase in the G0/G1 sub-population, with no effect on apoptosis. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Breast Cancer Stem Cells Rely on Fermentative Glycolysis and Are Sensitive to 2-Deoxyglucose Treatment Researchers applied a proteomic and targeted metabolomic analysis in order to point out the main metabolic differences between breast cancer cells grown as spheres and thus enriched in cancer stem cells were compared with the same cells grown in adherent differentiating conditions. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Differentiation Therapy: Sesamin as an Effective Agent in Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Side Population Cells of Human Gallbladder Carcinoma Sesamin, a food-derived agent, possesses anti-cancer activities both in vitro and in vivo. Investigators aimed to determine whether sesamin also have effects on cancer stem-like side population cells from gallbladder cancer. [BMC Complement Altern Med] Abstract | Full Article Sox4 Links Tumor Suppression to Accelerated Aging in Mice by Modulating Stem Cell Activation To specifically address a role for Sox4 in adult stem cells, scientists conditionally deleted Sox4 (Sox4cKO) in stratified epithelia. Sox4cKO mice show increased skin stem cell quiescence and resistance to chemical carcinogenesis concomitantly with downregulation of cell cycle, DNA repair, and activated hair follicle stem cell pathways. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release |