PBX3 Is Targeted by Multiple miRNAs and Is Essential for Liver Tumor-Initiating Cells The authors previously demonstrated that voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit marks hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor-initiating cells (TICs). They confirmed directly that α2δ1 is a HCC TIC surface marker, and identified let-7c, miR-200b, miR-222 and miR-424 as suppressors of α2δ1+ HCC TICs. [Nat Commun] Abstract The Nuclear Orphan Receptor NR2F6 Is a Central Checkpoint for Cancer Immune Surveillance The authors showed that genetic ablation of nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group F, member 6 (Nr2f6) significantly improves survival in the murine transgenic TRAMP prostate cancer model. Furthermore, Nr2f6−/− mice spontaneously reject implanted tumors and develop host-protective immunological memory against tumor rechallenge. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release LncRNA-Hh Strengthen Cancer Stem Cells Generation in Twist-Positive Breast Cancer via Activation of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway The Shh-GLI1 pathway associated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-Hh, transcriptionally regulated by Twist, directly targets GAS1 to stimulate the activation of hedgehog signaling (Hh). The activated Hh increases GLI1 expression, and enhances the expression of SOX2 and OCT4 to play a regulatory role in cancer stem cell maintenance. [Stem Cells] Abstract Enhanced Efficacy of Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Simultaneous Suppression of Multidrug Resistance and Antiapoptotic Cellular Defense Investigators studied the characteristics of 231-cancer stem cells (CSCs) sorted from human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and demonstrated that 231-CSCs exhibited enhanced capacities for proliferation, migration, tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Essential Role of miR-200c in Regulating Self-Renewal of Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Their Counterparts of Mammary Epithelium MUC1− ESA+ cells were isolated from normal mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and tested for stemness by clonogenic assay and multi-potential differentiation experiments. The miRNA profiles of mammary epithelial stem cells, breast cancer stem cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells were compared to obtain the candidate miRNAs that may regulate breast tumorigenesis. [BMC Cancer] Full Article Inhibition of Phosphatidylcholine-Specific Phospholipase C Interferes with Proliferation and Survival of Tumor Initiating Cells in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Researchers investigated phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) expression and effects of PC-PLC inhibition in two adherent squamous carcinoma cell lines, with different proliferative and stemness potential, and in tumor initiating cell-enriched floating spheres originated from them. [PLoS One] Full Article PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway Dual Inhibitor BEZ235 Suppresses the Stemness of Colon Cancer Stem Cells Investigators isolated colon cancer stem cells through sphere culture and verified with the cancer stem cell markers CD133, CD44, and CD24. They demonstrated that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was highly activated in the colon cancer stem cells and that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by the inhibitor BEZ235 suppressed the colon cancer stem cell proliferation with reduced stemness indicated by CD133 and Lgr5 expressions. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract Salinomycin Possesses Anti-Tumor Activity and Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells via an Apoptosis-Independent Pathway The authors investigated the mechanisms responsible for salinomycin’s selective targeting of breast cancer stem cells and its anti-tumor activity. Salinomycin suppressed cell viability, concomitant with the downregulation of cyclin D1 and increased p27kip1 nuclear accumulation. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Garcinol Downregulates Notch1 Signaling via Modulating miR-200c and Suppresses Oncogenic Properties of PANC-1 Cancer Stem-Like Cells Scientists identified and isolated pancreatic cancer stem-like cells using side-population method from human pancreatic cancer cell line, PANC-1. PANC-1 SP cells exhibited cancer stem-like cell properties including enhanced self-renewal ability, increased metastatic potential and resistance towards gemcitabine treatment. [Biotechnol Appl Biochem] Abstract |