Topoisomerase IIα Mediates TCF-Dependent Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Colon Cancer T-cell factor (TCF) transcription induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), promoting a tumor-initiating cell phenotype characterized by increased proliferation, multidrug resistance, invasion and metastasis. Researchers characterized topoisomerase IIα as a required component of TCF transcription promoting EMT. [Oncogene] Full Article Hepatic Cancer Stem Cell Marker Granulin-Epithelin Precursor and β-Catenin Expression Associate with Recurrence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma The authors aimed to examine granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP)-expressing cells in relation to stem cell related molecules and stem-like cell properties in a prospective hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical cohort. GEP protein levels were significantly higher in HCCs than the paralleled non-tumor liver tissues, and associated with venous infiltration. [Oncotarget] Full Article The Matricellular Protein CCN6 (WISP3) Decreases Notch1 and Suppresses Breast Cancer Initiating Cells Scientists discovered that ectopic CCN6 overexpression in triple negative breast cancer cells and in cells derived from patients is sufficient to induce a mesenchymal to epithelial transition and to reduce tumor initiating cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article Rapid Recognition and Isolation of Live Colon Cancer Stem Cells by Using Metabolic Labeling of Azido Sugar and Magnetic Beads The authors recognized cancer stem cells (CSCs) population from colon cancer cells by using metabolic labeling of azido sugar based on the quiescent nature of these cells, which differed fundamentally from previously described methods by using specific cellular markers to recognize and isolate CSCs. [Anal Chem] Abstract Helicobacter pylori Upregulates Nanog and Oct4 via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway to Promote Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties in Human Gastric Cancer Researchers found that H. pylori-infected gastric cancer cells exhibited cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, including an increased expression of CSC specific surface markers CD44 and Lgr5, as well as that of Nanog, Oct4 and c-myc, which are known pluripotency genes, and an increased capacity for self-renewal, whereas these properties were not observed in the CagA isogenic mutant strain-infected cells. [Cancer Lett] Full Article Class III-Specific HDAC Inhibitor Tenovin-6 Induces Apoptosis, Suppresses Migration and Eliminates Cancer Stem Cells in Uveal Melanoma Researchers showed that inhibition of SIRT1/2 by Tenovin-6 induced apoptosis in uveal melanoma cells by activating the expression of tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and elevating reactive oxygen species. [Sci Rep] Full Article E-Cadherin Repression Increases Amount of Cancer Stem Cells in Human A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma and Stimulates Tumor Growth Investigators showed that cancer stem cell amount in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 depends on E-cadherin expression. [Cell Cycle] Abstract PI-3K Inhibitors Preferentially Target CD15+ Cancer Stem Cell Population in SHH Driven Medulloblastoma Scientists report evidence that phosphatase and tensin homolog and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) play a crucial role in the propagation, survival and potential response to therapy in this CD15+ cancer stem cell/tumor propagating cell-driven malignant disease. [PLoS One] Full Article  |