Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 4.31 | Aug 19 2015

Gene Knockdown by EpCAM Aptamer-SiRNA Chimeras Suppresses Epithelial Breast Cancers and Their Tumor-Initiating Cells
Scientists showed that aptamer-siRNA chimeras are selectively taken up and knockdown gene expression in EpCAM⁺ cancer cells in vitro and in human cancer biopsy tissues. PLK1 EpCAM-AsiCs inhibit colony and mammosphere formation and tumor initiation by EpCAM⁺ luminal and basal-A triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, but not EpCAM⁻ mesenchymal basal-B TNBCs, in nude mice. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Sonic Hedgehog-Glioma Associated Oncogene Homolog 1 Signaling Enhances Drug Resistance in CD44⁺/Musashi-1⁺ Gastric Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers identified a subpopulation of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) enriched in holoclones that expressed CD44⁺/Musashi-1⁺ stem cell biomarkers, capable of self-renewal and proliferation. Enriched CD44⁺/Musashi-1⁺ GCSCs demonstrated elevated expression of sonic hedgehog and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1, the well-known signaling pathway molecules involved in the drug resistance. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Activated and Expanded Natural Killer Cells Target Osteosarcoma Tumor Initiating Cells in an NKG2D–NKG2DL Dependent Manner
The authors explored the efficacy and the pathways involved in natural killer cells’ elimination of osteosarcoma cells, including tumor initiating cells, which are responsible for chemotherapy resistance, recurrence, and metastasis. [Cancer Lett] Cancer Lett

Endothelial Cells Induce Cancer Stem Cell Features in Differentiated Glioblastoma Cells via bFGF
Conditioned medium of tumor microvascular endothelial cells (tMVECs) was able to replenish the cancer stem cell (CSC) pool by phenotypically and functionally reverting differentiated glioblastoma multiform (GBM) cells to the CSC state. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), secreted by tMVECs, recapitulated the effects of the conditioned medium in inducing re-expression of CSC markers and increasing neurosphere formation ability of differentiated GBM cells. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

Metformin Synergizes 5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide (FEC) Combination Therapy through Impairing Intracellular ATP Production and DNA Repair in Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Scientists demonstrated that metformin, but not other AMPK activators, synergizes 5-fluouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy in non-stem breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells. [Apoptosis] Abstract

Discovery of Power-Law Growth in the Self-Renewal of Heterogeneous Glioma Stem Cell Populations
Researchers hypothesized, based on the clonal evolution concept, that with each passage in culture, heterogeneous clonal sublines of glioma spheres are generated that progressively show increased proliferative ability. [PLoS One] Abstract

B7H1 Expression and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Phenotypes on Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Investigators determined the expression of B7H1 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers in colorectal cancer stem-like cells to investigate a possible immunoevasion way of cancer stem cells (CSCs). They enriched CD133⁺ colorectal cancer cells which manifested the CSCs-like properties such as higher levels of other stem cell markers Oct-4 and Sox-2, tumor sphere forming ability and more tumorigenic in NOD/SCID mice. [PLoS One] Full Article

Chemical Library Screening and Structure-Function Relationship Studies Identify Bisacodyl as a Potent and Selective Cytotoxic Agent towards Quiescent Human Glioblastoma Tumor Stem-Like Cells
Investigators screened the Prestwick Library to identify cytotoxic compounds towards glioblastoma stem-like cells, either in a proliferating state or in more slow-growing “quiescent” phenotype resulting from non-renewal of the culture medium in vitro. [PLoS One] Full Article

Quercetin Mediates β-Catenin in Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Scientists showed that pancreatic cancer stem-like cells have greater resistance to gemcitabine and stronger cancer stem cell properties compared with the parent cells. In contrast to the pancreatic cancer stem-like cells, overexpression of β-catenin was observed in the parent cells. [Pancreas] Abstract

Transglutaminase Is a Tumor Cell and Cancer Stem Cell Survival Factor
The authors summarize the role of type II transglutaminase as a cancer cell survival factor in a range of tumor types, and as a target for preventive and therapeutic intervention. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

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

$120,000 in Cancer Research Pilot Grants Awarded to Promote Collaboration
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute has awarded four $40,000 research pilot grants to aid in the interaction and collaboration between basic scientific and clinical investigators and facilitate the translation of laboratory findings into clinical therapies. [University of Cincinnati] Press Release

From our sponsor: Studying ESCs or iPSCs? Request your free copy of the small molecules 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.

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (National Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Development and Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer (University College London)

Research Associate – Prostate Cancer (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Position – Experimental Oncology/Stem Cell Biology (Academia Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Research (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Brain Tumor Biology and Stem Cells (Universität Basel)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Cancer Research – Molecular Targets for Tumor Therapy (University of Würzburg)

Postdoctoral Positions- Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Breast Stem Cell Biology (University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

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.