Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 4.11 | Mar 25 2015

Dynamic Regulation of the Cancer Stem Cell Compartment by Cripto-1 in Colorectal Cancer
Scientists found that the embryonic protein cripto-1 (CR1) was expressed by normal stem cells at the bottom of colonic crypts and by cancer stem cells in colorectal tumor tissues. CR1-positive populations isolated from patient-derived tumor spheroids exhibited increased clonogenic capacity and expression of stem-cell-related genes. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Intra-Tumor Signaling Entropy Determines Clinical Outcome in Breast and Lung Cancer
Researchers proposed signaling entropy, a measure of signaling pathway promiscuity derived from a sample’s genome-wide gene expression profile, as an estimate of the stemness of a tumor sample. They found that its prognostic power is driven by genes involved in cancer stem cells and treatment resistance. [PLoS Comput Biol] Full Article

Preclinical Activity of Combined HDAC and KDM1A Inhibition in Glioblastoma
The combination of vorinostat and tranylcypromine reduced glioma stem cell viability and displayed efficacy in the U87 xenograft model. Additionally, the combination led to changes in apoptosis-related genes, particularly TP53 and TP73 in vitro and in vivo. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

Targeting Exosomes from Preadipocytes Inhibits Preadipocyte to Cancer Stem Cell Signaling in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Researchers examined how preadipocyte-derived exosomes can regulate early-stage breast cancer via regulating stem cell renewal, cell migration, and tumor formation. They identified a critical miR-140/SOX2/SOX9 axis that regulates differentiation, stemness, and migration in the tumor microenvironment. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Dedifferentiation of Patient-Derived Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Lines Results in a Cancer Stem Cell-Like State with Mitogen-Independent Growth
Scientists successfully dedifferentiated two patient-derived glioblastoma multiforme cell lines into cancer stem cell-like cells through expression of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog transcription factors. Transformed cells exhibited significant suppression of epidermal growth factor receptor and its downstream pathways [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

miR-34a Suppresses the Breast Cancer Stem Cell-Like Characteristics by Downregulating Notch1 Pathway
Investigators verified that microRNA (miR)-34a directly and functionally targeted Notch1 in MCF-7 cells. They report that miR-34a negatively regulated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and breast cancer stem cell propagation by downregulating Notch1. [Cancer Sci] Abstract

Safety and Efficacy Study of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Stem Cell Vaccine
Nasopharyngeal cancer stem cells (CSCs) were separated and cultured to produce a vaccine; its safety and efficacy were prospectively evaluated in low-, medium-, and high-dose groups. Researchers found that the CSC-specific and -nonspecific response in the medium- and high-dose groups were both significantly enhanced. [Immunol Lett] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cancer stem cell research field.

City of Hope Launches Stem Cell Therapy Clinic to Fight Incurable Disease in New Ways
The City of Hope officially opened the Alpha Clinic for Cell Therapy and Innovation for patients battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The Alpha Clinic is funded by an $8 million, five-year grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine that will be supplemented by matching funds from City of Hope. [City of Hope] Press Release

“How Does Breast Cancer Develop?” Pilot Grants Awarded to Multidisciplinary Teams Using the Intraductal Approach to Advance Breast Cancer Prevention
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation awarded four innovative pilot grants to research projects that will explore using next generation technology to investigate the human breast and how it develops cancer. [Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Interested in assays for human mammary stem and progenitor cells? Request your free wallchart.

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)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cancer stem cell community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer & Stem Cell Biology (University of Cincinnati)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Genomics of Stem Cells and Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

PhD Position – Peptide-Drug Conjugates for Targeted Delivery in Tumor Therapy (EXIRIS Oncology Research)

PhD Positions – Immunological Aspects of Cancer and Allergy (University of Salzburg)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell and Cancer (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

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

Research Technician II – Pediatric Cancer and Stem Cells (Massachusetts General Hospital)

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.