Epigenetic Targeting of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells Researchers demonstrate that aldehyde dehydrogenase+ ovarian cancer cells possess multiple stem cell characteristics, are highly chemoresistant, and are enriched in xenografts residual after platinum therapy. [Cancer Res] Abstract Endothelial Interleukin-6 Defines the Tumorigenic Potential of Primary Human Cancer Stem Cells Researchers report that stromal interleukin (IL)-6 defines the tumorigenic capacity of cancer stem cells (CSC) sorted from primary human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and transplanted into mice. In search for the cellular source of IL-6, they observed a direct correlation between IL-6 levels in tumor-associated endothelial cells and the tumorigenicity of CSC. [Stem Cells] Abstract miR-7, Inhibited Indirectly by LincRNA HOTAIR, Directly Inhibits SETDB1 and Reverses the EMT of Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Downregulating the STAT3 Pathway Investigators show that microRNA-7 (miR-7), which was downregulated in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) isolated from the human MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, inhibited cell invasion and metastasis, decreased the BCSC population and partially reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MDA-MB-231 cells by directly targeting the oncogene, SETDB1. [Stem Cells] Abstract Nestin Positively Regulates the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and the Proliferation, Survival, and Invasiveness of Breast Cancer Stem Cells Researchers investigated Nestin expression in triple-negative breast cancer and examined how the modulation of Nestin expression affects cell cycle progression, survival, invasion and regulatory signaling in breast cancer stem cells in vitro. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Selective Release of a Cyclopamine Glucuronide Prodrug towards Stem-Like Cancer Cell Inhibition in Glioblastoma Scientists tested a derivatization product of cyclopamine in the form of cyclopamine glucuronide prodrug. This compound was used in vitro and in vivo toward glioblastoma-initiating cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy and Effective Elimination of Cancer Stem Cells Using Surfactant-Polymer Nanoparticles Investigators found that nanoparticle encapsulated methylene blue has the capacity to eliminate cancer stem cells under hypoxic conditions. [Mol Pharm] Abstract Resveratrol Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Induces Autophagy via Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Scientists investigated the effects of resveratrol on breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). Resveratrol significantly inhibits the proliferation of breast CSCs (BCSCs) isolated from MCF-7 and SUM159, and decreased the percentage of BCSCs population, consequently reduced the size and number of mammospheres in non-adherent spherical clusters. [PLoS One] Full Article Reprogramming Ovarian and Breast Cancer Cells into Non-Cancerous Cells by Low-Dose Metformin or SN-38 through FOXO3 Activation Scientists show that low-dose metformin or SN-38 inhibits cell growth or survival in ovarian and breast cancer cells and suppresses their tumor growth in vivo. Low-dose metformin or SN-38 increases FOXO3 nuclear localization as well as the amount of DNA damage markers and downregulates the expression of a cancer-stemness marker CD44 and other stemness markers, including Nanog, Oct-4, and c-Myc, in these cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article _645x110.jpg) |