Lin28B/Let-7 Regulates Expression of Oct4 and Sox2 and Reprograms Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells to a Stem-Like State Researchers demonstrated a correlation between high levels of Lin28B, Oct4, and Sox2, and a high percentage of CD44+ALDH1+ cancer stem-like cells (CSC) in oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCC). Ectopic Lin28B expression in CD44−ALDH1−/OSCC cells was sufficient to enhance Oct4/Sox2 expression and CSC properties, whereas Let7 co-overexpression effectively reversed these phenomena. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Clonogenically Culturing and Expanding CD34+ Liver Cancer Stem Cells In Vitro Investigators successfully clonogenically cultured a newly identified CD34+ liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) on feeder cells up to 22 passages without losing cancer stem cell property. Cloned CD34+ LCSC formed a round, packed morphology, and it also could be cryopreserved and re-cultured. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract CRLX101, an Investigational Camptothecin-Containing Nanoparticle-Drug Conjugate, Targets Cancer Stem Cells and Impedes Resistance to Antiangiogenic Therapy in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer Researchers tested whether inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) can reverse the stimulatory effects of antiangiogenic-induced hypoxia on breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast cancer cells grown under hypoxic conditions were treated with the dual topoisomerase-1 and HIF-1α inhibitor camptothecin and assessed for their CSC content. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract | Press Release Novel Anticancer Activity of Phloroglucinol against Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells Scientists report that phloroglucinol (PG) suppressed sphere formation, anchorage-independent colony formation and in vivo tumorigenicity. Treatment with PG also decreased CD44+ cancer cell population as well as expression of cancer stem cell regulators such as Sox2, CD44, Oct4, Notch2 and β-catenin. [Toxicol Appl Pharm] Abstract Phenotypic Diversity of Patient-Derived Melanoma Populations in Stem Cell Medium Scientists observed that not all nodular melanoma patient-derived cell populations grown in stem cell medium were capable of forming melanospheres, and cell aggregates and anchorage-independent single-cell cultures emerged instead. Self-renewing capacity and unlimited growth potential indicated the presence of cells with stem-like properties in all patient-derived populations but immunophenotype and MITF expression exhibited variability. [Lab Invest] Abstract Aspirin Blocks Growth of Breast Tumor Cells and Tumor-Initiating Cells and Induces Reprogramming Factors of Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition Investigators showed a strong beneficial effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the prevention of breast carcinogenesis. They found that ASA not only prevents breast tumor cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in nude mice xenograft model through the induction of apoptosis, but also significantly reduced the self-renewal capacity and growth of breast tumor-initiating cells/breast cancer stem cells and delays the formation of a palpable tumor. [Lab Invest] Abstract Pygo2 siRNA Inhibit the Growth and Increase Apoptosis of U251 Cell by Suppressing Histone H3K4 Trimethylation Scientists investigated the role of Pygopus (Pygo) 2 in human glioma U251 cells and showed that knocking down of the expression of Pygo2 in U251 cells using lentivirally expressed siRNA have inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis through decreasing H3K4me3 expression. They also found Pygo2 was enriched in U251 glioma cancer stem-like cells and Pygo2 siRNA resulted in a reduced number as well as size of tumor spheres. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract Comparative Characterization of Stem Cell Marker Expression, Metabolic Activity and Resistance to Doxorubicin in Adherent and Spheroid Cells Derived from the Canine Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cell Line CT1258 Expression of 12 stem cell marker genes in the canine prostate cancer cell line CT1258 and spheroid cells generated from these was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. In CT1258 and the generated spheroid cells, CD44 and CD133 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, as well as proliferation and doxorubicin resistance. [Anticancer Res] Abstract |