Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 4.43 | Nov 18 2015

p73 and IGF1R Regulate Emergence of Aggressive Cancer Stem-Like Features via miR-885-5p Control
Investigators demonstrated that oncogenic DNp73, a dominant-negative variant of the tumor suppressor p73, confers cancer cells with enhanced stem-like properties. DNp73 overexpression in noninvasive melanoma and lung cancer cells increased anchorage-independent growth and elevated the expression of the pluripotency factors CD133, Nanog, and Oct4. [Cancer Res] Abstract

EB-Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 Potentiates the Stemness of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via Preferential Activation of PI3K/AKT Pathway by a Positive Feedback Loop
Investigators showed that latent membrane protein 1 induced cancer stem cell-like properties through promotion of the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-like cellular markers and through alterations in differentiation markers. [Oncogene] Abstract

Transmembrane Protein CD9 Is Glioblastoma Biomarker, Relevant for Maintenance of Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Scientists performed transcriptomic analysis of glioblastoma tissues compared to normal brain tissues revealing sensible up-regulation of the CD9 gene. They validated the CD9 gene and protein expression showing selective up-regulation in glioblastoma stem cells isolated from primary biopsies and in primary organotypic glioblastoma spheroids as well as in U87-MG and U373 glioblastoma cell lines. [Oncotarget] Full Article

TMPRSS4 Induces Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties in Lung Cancer Cells and Correlates with ALDH Expression in NSCLC Patients
The authors hypothesized that TMPRSS4 could provide cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. H358 and H441 cells with knocked-down TMPRSS4 levels were significantly less able to form primary and secondary tumorspheres than control cells. Moreover, they showed a lower proportion of ALDH⁺ cells and lower expression of some CSC markers than controls. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Absence of DAB2IP Promotes Cancer Stem Cell Like Signatures and Indicates Poor Survival Outcome in Colorectal Cancer
Scientists demonstrated that DAB2IP suppresses NF-κB-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell features in colorectal cancer cells. DAB2IP expression was inversely correlated with tumor differentiation and metastasis, and patients with lower DAB2IP expression had shorter overall survival time. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transcriptional Repression of Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD133 by Tumor Suppressor p53
Researchers showed that CD133 expression is negatively regulated by direct binding of the p53 tumor suppressor protein to a noncanonical p53-binding sequence in the CD133 promoter. CD133 depletion suppresses tumor cell proliferation, colony formation, and the expression of core stemness transcription factors including NANOG, octamer-binding transcription factor 4, SOX2, and c-MYC. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Enhanced SLC34A2 in Breast Cancer Stem Cell-Like Cells Induces Chemotherapeutic Resistance to Doxorubicin via SLC34A2-Bmi1-ABCC5 Signaling
Researchers investigated the relationship between SLC34A2 and chemoresistance in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and identified the underlying mechanisms by which SLC34A2 regulates chemoresistance in BCSCs. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

A Novel Aspirin Prodrug Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cell Properties
A library of aspirin prodrugs was synthesized and screened for inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activity and cancer stem-like cell properties, an important PGE2-and NFκB-dependent phenotype of aggressive breast cancers. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Downregulation of Bmi-1 Is Associated with Suppressed Tumorigenesis and Induced Apoptosis in CD44⁺ Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Previously, investigators successfully silenced Bmi-1 (B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1) by short hairpin RNA in CD44⁺ nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer stem-like cells and obtained stable Bmi-1 knockdown cell lines. In this study, they tested the cell proliferation by CCK-8 assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Overview: Cancer Stem Cell and Tumor Environment
The author describes the cutting-edge progress regarding leukemia stem cell (LSC) research and the promising clinical strategies with LSC-targeted therapy. [Oncology] Abstract

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OncoMed Presents Immuno-Oncology Data for Combined Blockade of DLL4, VEGF and PD1
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented new preclinical data for anti-DLL4 combined with anti-VEGF and anti-PD1. DLL4 is a ligand within the Notch pathway and plays important roles in regulating cancer stem cells, tumor angiogenesis and pro-tumor immune responses. [Press release from OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. discussing research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC), National Harbor] Press Release

Caladrius Biosciences Presents Additional Data Supporting Lead Product Candidate for Metastatic Melanoma
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. announced that the company presented two posters including new clinical and analytical data. The data further support the technology being explored in a currently enrolling Phase III clinical trial to investigate Caladrius’ lead product candidate, CLBS20, for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. [Press release from Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC), National Harbor] Press Release | Poster

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$1.225 Million Viertel Fellowship to Advance Critical Lung Research
Lung researcher Dr. Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat has won a competitive $1.225 million Viertel Fellowship for an ambitious research program to advance our understanding of lung development and cancer. [The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research] Press Release

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Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cell Research (The University of Texas Medical School At Houston)

NEW Assistant Professor – Cancer Immunology (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

NEW Faculty Positions – Cancer Pharmacology (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neural Development and Cancer (Columbia University)

Group Leader Position – Cancer Research (Oslo University Hospital)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (University of Cambridge)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Research Technician II – Stem Cell and Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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