Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 4.23 | June 17 2015

Tryptophan Derivatives Regulate the Transcription of Oct4 in Stem-Like Cancer Cells
Reduction of endogenous ITE levels in cancer cells by tryptophan deprivation or hypoxia led to Oct4 elevation, which can be reverted by administration with synthetic ITE. Consequently, synthetic ITE induced the differentiation of stem-like cancer cells and reduced their tumorigenic potential in both subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft tumor models. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Tracking and Finding Slow-Proliferating/Quiescent Cancer Stem Cells with Fluorescent Nanodiamonds
Using AS-B145-1R breast cancer cells as the model cell line for cancer stem cells, researchers found that the fluorescent nanodiamond labeling outperforms 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester in regards to its long-term tracking capability. [Small] Abstract

p38γ MAPK Is a Therapeutic Target for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Stimulation of Cancer Stem-Like Cell Expansion
Investigators showed that p38γ activation promotes triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) development and progression by stimulating cancer stem-like cell (CSC) expansion and may serve as a novel therapeutic target. p38γ silencing in TNBC cells reduced mammosphere formation and decreased expression levels of CSC drivers including Nanog, Oct3/4, and Sox2. [Stem Cells] Abstract

FoxO1-Negative Cells Are Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Researchers reported evidence of FoxO1-negative pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells as cancer stem cells in PDAC. Both ALDH-high and CD133-high cell fractions isolated from PDAC of the patients expressed high levels of miR-21 and null FoxO1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Autocrine Human Growth Hormone Stimulates the Tumor Initiating Capacity and Metastasis of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Mammary Carcinoma Cells
Scientists demonstrated that autocrine human growth hormone promoted cancer stem cell-like properties of estrogen receptor-negative mammary carcinoma cells in vitro. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Development of Novel Radio-Chemotherapy Approaches Targeting Prostate Tumor Progenitor Cells Using Nanohybrids
Researchers describe the synthesis of biocompatible, catechin-loaded and gelatin-conjugated carbon nanotubes with anticancer properties and demonstrate their potential for the eradication of prostate cancer stem cells in combination with X-ray irradiation. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

A Self-Enforcing CD44s/ZEB1 Feedback Loop Maintains EMT and Stemness Properties in Cancer Cells
Scientists analyzed whether CD44 and ZEB1 regulate each other and showed that ZEB1 controls CD44s splicing by repression of ESRP1 in breast and pancreatic cancer. Activation of this novel CD44s-ZEB1 regulatory loop has functional impact on tumor cells, as evident by increased tumor-sphere initiation capacity, drug-resistance and tumor recurrence. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Target Brain Tumor-Initiating Cells
Scientists focused on the ability of human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells to target brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) and their crosstalk in the microenvironment. BTICs were isolated from three different types of brain tumors. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cancer Stem Cell Markers Are Associated with Distant Hematogenous Liver Metastases but Not with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Colorectal Cancer
To analyze the expression of cancer stem cell markers immunohistochemistry for CD133, CD44 and β-catenin was applied to colorectal cancer (CRC) with exclusive peritoneal carcinomatosis, exclusive hepatic metastasis and CRC with combined spread. [Cancer Invest] Abstract

An Aberrant Nuclear Localization of E-Cadherin Is a Potent Inhibitor of Wnt/β-Catenin-Elicited Promotion of the Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype
Investigators conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo studies to show that the β-catenin/TCF4 interaction was abolished by E-cadherin and was correlated with its nuclear localization, and consequently decreased β-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional activity. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Enters into Manufacturing Agreement with PCT LLC, a Caladrius Company, for US Production of ICT-107 for Phase III Registration Trial
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced the selection of PCT, LLC, a subsidiary of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., as the US manufacturer for ImmunoCellular’s ICT-107 Phase III registrational clinical program in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, anticipated to begin in the second half of 2015. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

Anonymous Donor Gives $20 Million for Cancer Research at Wake Forest Baptist
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has received $20 million to study the effects of muscadine grape extract on prostate and breast cancers. The gift by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous is the largest ever received by the Medical Center. [Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center] Press Release

STEMCELL Technologies Named Company of the Year by BIOTECanada
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. will be presented with the Biotech Company of the Year award by BIOTECanada at this year’s BIO International Convention in Philadelphia. [BIOTECanada] Press Release

Ludwig Cancer Research Expands Presence in Lausanne
Ludwig Cancer Research announced that it is opening a new branch in Lausanne, Switzerland. The branch will be focused primarily on applied cancer immunology and the design of novel molecular and cell-based immunotherapies. [Ludwig Cancer Research] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Immunotherapeutics (City of Hope)

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