Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.38 | Oct 1 2014

​Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Promotes Expansion of Cancer Stem Cells via ​S1PR3 by a Ligand-Independent Notch Activation
Using microarray screening in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-positive cancer stem cell (CSC) model, scientists identified a fundamental role for a lipid mediator ​sphingosine-1-phosphate (​S1P) in CSC expansion. Stimulation with ​S1P enhanced ALDH-positive CSCs via ​S1P receptor 3 (​S1PR3) and subsequent Notch activation. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Cells as an Approach to Defeating Cellular Heterogeneity in Ewing’s Sarcoma
Researchers assessed the effect of combining a drug that abrogates cancer stem-like cell (CSC) properties with standard-of-care therapy in a Ewing sarcoma family tumor (ESFT). Primary ESFT from four patients containing CD133⁺ CSC subpopulations ranging from 3-17% of total tumor cells were subjected to treatment with enoxacin, doxorubicin or both drugs. [Cancer Res] Abstract

p53 Protein Aggregation Promotes Platinum Resistance in Ovarian Cancer
Investigators demonstrate that in a unique population of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma cancer cells with cancer stem cell properties, p53 protein aggregation is associated with p53 inactivation and platinum resistance. [Oncogene] Abstract

Annexin A3 as a Potential Target for Immunotherapy of Liver Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Overexpression of Annexin A3 (ANXA3) increased the proportion of CD133⁺ cells, enhancing their tumorigenicity. On the contrary, knockdown of ANXA3 decreased CD133⁺ cells and inhibited tumorigenicity. The mechanistic study revealed that ANXA3-mediated maintenance of hepatocellular carcinoma cancer stem-like cell/cancer initiating cell activity was likely involved with the HIF1A/Notch pathway. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Significance of Glioma-Associated Oncogene Homolog 1 (GLI1) Expression in Claudin-Low Breast Cancer and Crosstalk with the Nuclear Factor Kappa-Light-Chain-Enhancer of Activated B Cells (NFκB) Pathway
High GLI1 expression is a property of claudin-low cells and tumors and correlates with markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and breast cancer stem cells. Knockdown of GLI1 expression in claudin-low cell lines resulted in reduced cell viability, motility, clonogenicity, self-renewal, and reduced tumor growth of orthotopic xenografts. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Curcumin Suppresses Crosstalk between Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Stromal Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of EMT
Scientists investigated the crosstalk between colorectal cancer cells with stromal fibroblasts and the anti-cancer effects of curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil, especially on cancer stem cell survival in a 3D-co-culture model that mimics in vivo tumor microenvironment. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cancer Stem-Like Sphere Cells Induced from De-Differentiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Derived Cell Lines Possess the Resistance to Anti-Cancer Drugs
Investigators induced cancer stem-like cells from hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines using a unique medium, and examined their potential for resistance to anti-cancer drugs. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

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Transgene Presents Additional Positive Clinical Data from Phase IIb Part of TIME Trial with TG4010
Transgene SA announced the presentation of more mature data from the Phase IIb part of the TIME trial with TG4010 MUC1 targeted immunotherapy. [Press release from Transgene SA discussing research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 Congress, Madrid] Press Release | Poster

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Montefiore and Einstein Receive $3.4 Million NIH Grant for Cancer Clinical Trials
Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to conduct multi-site cancer clinical trials and research focused on reducing healthcare disparities in cancer care. [Montefiore Medical Center] Press Release

Four Researchers Awarded Grants to Investigate Effectiveness of Nintedanib in Lung, Colorectal, and Gastrointestinal Cancers
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® Oncology Research Program has awarded four grants to investigators to evaluate and define the clinical effectiveness of the investigational compound nintedanib in non-small cell lung, colorectal, and gastrointestinal cancers. [The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^®] Press Release

Nintedanib Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Second-Line Treatment of Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Lung
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion for the approval of nintedanib in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced, metastatic or locally recurrent non-small cell lung cancer of adenocarcinoma tumor histology after first-line chemotherapy. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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NEW Assistant or Associate Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

NEW Senior Research Scientist – DNA Damage Response and Genome Instability (International Clinical Research Center)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine)

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

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

Assistant Professor – Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology (Oregon Health & Science University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (Yale University School of Medicine)

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

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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