Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 4.33 | Sep 2 2015

UTX Inhibits EMT-Induced Breast CSC Properties by Epigenetic Repression of EMT Genes in Cooperation with LSD1 and HDAC1
Researchers demonstrated that UTX loss induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated breast cancer stem cell (CSC) properties by increasing the expression of the SNAIL, ZEB1 and ZEB2 EMT transcription factors and of the transcriptional repressor CDH1. [EMBO Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Rhodamine-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots for Detection of Fe³⁺ in Cancer Stem Cells
Fe³⁺ binding to rhodamine B derivative-functionalized-graphene quantum dots with orange-red fluorescence of 43% quantum yield were demonstrated to be biomarkers for cancer stem cell imaging. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

FOXA2 mRNA Expression Is Associated with Relapse in Patients with Triple-Negative/Basal-Like Breast Carcinoma
Investigators knocked down FOXA2 mRNA expression by siRNA to determine the impact on cell proliferation and mammospheres formation using a cancer stem cells culture assay. In vitro studies demonstrated higher FOXA2 mRNA expression in triple-negative/basal-like cells. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Antisense-miR-21 Enhances Differentiation/Apoptosis and Reduces Cancer Stemness State on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Investigators evaluated the application of hsa-miR-21 antagomir to sequester the microRNA for therapeutic purposes on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Stemness state in cancer stem cells (CSCs) was evaluated by the changes of CSC biomarkers including Oct-4 and ABCG2. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Inhibition of CD147 Expression by RNA Interference Reduces Proliferation, Invasion and Increases Chemosensitivity in Cancer Stem Cell-Like HT-29 Cells
Scientists investigated the biological roles of CD147 in colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs). Knockdown of CD147 increased the chemosensitivity of CSC-like cells to gemcitabine, cisplatin, docetaxel at 0.1, 1 and 10 µM respectively, however, there was no significant difference among the three groups to paclitaxel at 10 µM. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Enhanced Antitumor Effect of Shikonin by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via JNK/C-Jun Pathway in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Researchers found a protective mechanism was simultaneously activated which caused the reduced sensitivity of glioblastoma stem cells to the cytotoxicity of shikonin. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Effect of shRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing of Bmi-1 Expression on Chemosensitivity of CD44⁺ Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Researchers investigated the effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing of Bmi-1 expression on chemosensitivity of CD44⁺ nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer stem-like cells. [Technol Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Key Roles of Hyaluronan and Its CD44 Receptor in the Stemness and Survival of Cancer Stem Cells
The authors address the key roles of hyaluronan and CD44 in cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal and maintenance. They also discuss the involvement of CD44 in the oxidative stress and multidrug resistance of CSCs. [Front Oncol] Full Article

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UC San Diego Cancer Researchers Receive NCI Outstanding Investigator Award
Four University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers have been selected to receive the newly established National Cancer Institute (NCI) Outstanding Investigator Award. The multi-million dollar awards fund new projects that have an unusual potential in cancer research over seven years. [UC San Diego] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Vascular Biology/Cancerology (University of Toulouse)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mammalian Stem Cell Model System (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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Postdoctoral Positions- Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

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