Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.33 | Aug 27 2014

VEGF Drives Cancer-Initiating Stem Cells through VEGFR-2/Stat3 Signaling to Upregulate Myc and Sox2
Investigators show vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) promotes breast and lung cancer stem cell self-renewal via VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2)/STAT3-mediated upregulation of Myc and Sox2. [Oncogene] Abstract

Peritoneal Milky Spots Serve as a Hypoxic Niche and Favor Gastric Cancer Stem/Progenitor Cell Peritoneal Dissemination through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α
Researchers investigated whether hypoxic peritoneal milky spots were an ideal cancer stem cell niche suitable for gastric cancer stem/progenitor cells (GCSPCs) engraftment. They also evaluated the mechanisms through which the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α-mediated hypoxic microenvironment regulated GCSPC fate. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Periostin Is a Novel Therapeutic Target that Predicts and Regulates Glioma Malignancy
Periostin is a secreted matricellular protein critical for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and carcinoma metastasis. Functional assays determined the impact of altering periostin expression and function on cell invasion, migration, adhesion, and glioma stem cell activity and tumorigenicity. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

Sialidase NEU4 Is Involved in Glioblastoma Stem Cell Survival
Scientists demonstrate that glioblastoma stem cells isolated from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines and patients’ specimens as neurospheres are specifically marked by the upregulation of NEU4; in contrast, the expression of NEU4 is very low in non-neurosphere-differentiated GBM cells. [Cell Death Dis]
Full Article | Press Release

The Impact of Inflammatory Lipid Mediators on Colon Cancer-Initiating Cells
The role of inflammatory lipid-mediators in tumor progression is well recognized in colorectal cancer; however, if this includes promotion of cancer-initiating cells remains unclear. Investigators show that the inflammatory lipid-mediators leukotriene D₄ and prostaglandin E₂ increased the aldehyde dehydrogenase population, the colony formation capacity, and tumor growth in a xenograft model of colon cancer. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

ER-α Variant ER-α36 Mediates Antiestrogen Resistance in ER-Positive Breast Cancer Stem/Progenitor Cells
Scientists investigated the function and the underlying mechanism of ER-α36-mediated antiestrogen signaling in ER-positive breast cancer stem/progenitor cells. The effects of antiestrogens tamoxifen and ICI 182, 780 on breast cancer stem cells’ ability of growth, self-renewal, differentiation and tumor seeding were examined using tumorsphere formation, flow cytometry, indirect immunofluorences and in vivo xenograft assays. [J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol] Abstract

Chemo-Predictive Assay for Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Patients Affected by Brain Tumors
Researchers developed an ex vivo chemotherapy sensitivity assay which measures the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells as well as the bulk of tumor cells to a variety of chemotherapy agents. [PLoS One] Full Article

Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells Proliferate Slowly and Resist Etoposide-Induced Cytotoxicity via Enhancing DNA Damage Response
Researchers demonstrate that DU145-derived prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) progress slowly with more cells accumulating in the G1 phase in comparison to DU145 non-PCSCs. In response to etoposide (one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs), DU145 PCSCs survived significantly better than non-PCSCs. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Targeting Melanocyte and Melanoma Stem Cells by 8-Hydroxy-2-Dipropylaminotetralin
Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is cytotoxic towards melanocytes. Its treatment efficacy is limited by an inability to eradicate stem cells. By contrast, 8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (8-DPAT) affects melanocyte stem cell survival. MBEH and 8-DPAT were added to melanocytes and melanoma cells to compare cytotoxicity. [Arch Biochem Biophys] Abstract

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Advaxis and Merck Form Collaboration to Evaluate Investigational Combination of Two Novel Immunotherapy Candidates for Advanced Prostate Cancer
Advaxis, Inc. has entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Advaxis’s Lm-LLO cancer immunotherapy, ADXS-PSA, with Merck’s investigational anti PD-1 antibody, pembrolizumab. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Cell Survival and Proliferation (Washington State University)

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

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Tenure Track Positions – Cancer Biology (Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center)

Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Properties of Leukemic Stem Cells (BC Cancer Agency)

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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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