DNMT1 Is Essential for Mammary and Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance and Tumorigenesis Investigators identified ISL1 as a direct DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) target, hypermethylated and downregulated in mammary tumors and cancer stem cells (CSCs). DNMT1 inhibition or ISL1 expression in breast cancer cells limits CSC population. [Nat Commun] Abstract G-CSF Promotes Neuroblastoma Tumorigenicity and Metastasis via STAT3-Dependent Cancer Stem Cell Activation Researchers demonstrated that the receptor ligand G-CSF selectively activated STAT3 within neuroblastoma cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations, promoting their expansion in vitro and in vivo. Exogenous G-CSF enhanced tumor growth and metastasis in human xenograft and murine neuroblastoma tumor models. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article TCGA Analysis Predicts MicroRNA for Targeting Cancer Growth and Vascularization in Glioblastoma MicroRNA (miR)-31 and miR-148a regulated glioma growth by maintaining tumor stem cells and their niche, and providing the tumor a way to activate angiogenesis even in a normoxic environment. [Mol Ther] Abstract MicroRNA-33b Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis by Targeting HMGA2, SALL4 and Twist1 Investigators report the identification of microRNA (miR)-33b as a negative regulator of cell stemness and metastasis in breast cancer. Compared with paired normal breast tissues, miR-33b expression is downregulated in breast tumor samples and is inversely correlated with lymph node metastatic status. [Sci Rep] Full Article Cannabidiol Stimulates Aml-1a-Dependent Glial Differentiation and Inhibits Glioma Stem-Like Cells Proliferation by Inducing Autophagy in a TRPV2-Dependent Manner The authors demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD), by activating transient receptor potential vanilloid-2 (TRPV2), triggered glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) differentiation activating the autophagic process and inhibited GSCs proliferation and clonogenic capability. CBD and carmustine (BCNU) in combination overcame the high resistance of GSCs to BCNU treatment, by inducing apoptotic cell death. [Int J Cancer] Abstract Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Using a Combination of LBH589 and Salinomycin Scientists investigated the efficacy of combining a histone deacetylase inhibitor (LBH589) and a breast cancer stem cells-targeting agent (salinomycin) as a novel combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract EGFR Inhibitors Prevent Induction of Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Suppressing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition EGFR inhibitors, erlotinib and cetuximab, significantly suppressed enrichment of cancer stem cells via TGF-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [Cancer Biol Ther] Abstract Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) Is a Potential Marker for Cancer Stem Cells in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma In order to elucidate whether ALDH1 can be used as a marker for cancer stem cells of pediatric sarcoma, researchers examined the characteristics of a population of cells with a high ALDH1 activity in rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. [PLoS One] Full Article Notch-1 Promotes Stemness and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer Scientists examined a potential role for Notch-1 signaling in colorectal cancer. Retroviral transduction of constitutively active Notch-1 into the colon tumor cell line HCT-116 resulted in increased expression of the EMT/stemness associated proteins CD44, Slug, Smad-3, and induction of Jagged-1 expression. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract |