Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 5.11 | Mar 23 2016

Cervical Cancer Stem Cells Selectively Overexpress HPV Oncoprotein E6 that Controls Stemness and Self Renewal through Upregulation of HES1
Perturbation of keratinocyte differentiation by E6/E7 oncoproteins of high-risk human papillomaviruses that drive oncogenic transformation of cells in squamocolumnar junction of the uterine cervix may confer ‘stem cell like’ characteristics. Researchers examined the role of viral oncoproteins in stem cell signaling and maintenance of stemness in cervical cancer. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

The Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Development of Cells with the Molecular and Functional Characteristics of Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activity in Hs578T triple negative and SUM149 inflammatory breast cancer cells were modulated with AHR ligands, shRNA or AHR-specific inhibitors, and phenotypic, genomic and functional stem cell-associated characteristics were evaluated. [BMC Biol] Full Article

Multiple Subsets of Brain Tumor Initiating Cells Co-Exist in Glioblastoma
Using single-cell microfluidic profiling, scientists identified multiple subpopulations of brain tumor-initiating cells co-existing in human glioblastoma, characterized by distinct surface marker expression and single-cell molecular profiles relating to distinct bulk tissue molecular subtypes. [Stem Cells] Abstract

⁶⁴Cu-ATSM Therapy Targets Regions with Activated DNA Repair and Enrichment of CD133⁺ Cells in an HT-29 Tumor Model: Sensitization with a Nucleic Acid Antimetabolite
Using a human colon carcinoma HT-29 model, researchers demonstrated that the intratumoral ⁶⁴Cu-diacetyl-bis (N⁴-methylthiosemicarbazone) (⁶⁴Cu-ATSM) high-uptake regions exhibited malignant characteristics, such as upregulated DNA repair and elevated %CD133⁺ cancer stem-like cells. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

AhR Ligand Aminoflavone Inhibits α6-Integrin Expression and Breast Cancer Sphere-Initiating Capacity
Scientists investigated the ability of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist Aminoflavone (AF) and AF pro-drug to disrupt mammospheres derived from breast cancer cells and a M05 mammary mouse model of breast cancer respectively. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Fluvoxamine, an Anti-Depressant, Inhibits Human Glioblastoma Invasion by Disrupting Actin Polymerization
Researchers hypothesized that inhibitors of actin polymerization can suppress glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) migration and invasion. Fluvoxamine inhibited serum-induced ruffle formation, cell migration, and invasion of human GBM and glioma stem cells in vitro by suppressing both FAK and Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Let-7c Blocks Estrogen-Activated Wnt Signaling in Induction of Self-Renewal of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
By analyzing the expression levels of let-7 family members in clinical tissues, investigators found that higher expression levels of let-7b and let-7c were correlated with better clinical prognosis of patients with estrogen receptor α-positive breast tumor. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Oct4 Plays a Crucial Role in the Maintenance of Gefitinib-Resistant Lung Cancer Stem Cells
The authors previously reported that Oct4 and the putative lung cancer stem cell (CSC) marker CD133 were highly expressed in gefitinib-resistant persisters in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and gefitinib-resistant persisters exhibited characteristic features of the CSCs phenotype. They elucidated the role of Oct4 in the resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with an activating epidermal growth factor receptor mutation. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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OncoMed Initiates Phase Ib Immuno-Oncology Combination Clinical Trial for Demcizumab and Pembrolizumab (Anti-PD1)
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing novel anti-cancer stem cell and immuno-oncology therapeutics, announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase Ib clinical trial of OncoMed’s investigational agent demcizumab, with Merck’s anti-Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1) therapy pembrolizumab. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellowship – Statistical Methods in Cancer Progression (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Tenure Track Position – Cancer Biology (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Various Projects (University of Cincinnati)

PhD Studentship – Peptide Receptors in Cancer Stem Cells (Exiris/Bielefeld University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University Health Center)

Translational Research Scientist – Hematology and Oncology (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Structures of Proteins Involved in Cancer Metastasis (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Full Professorship – Tumor Immunology (German Cancer Research Center)

Junior Professorship – Imaging and Radiation Oncology (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

PhD Studentship – Various Positions in Cancer (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Faculty Position – Cancer Research (Various Areas) (The Jackson Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Epigenomics (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre)

Faculty Position – Radioimmunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Scientist – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (University of Chicago)

Staff Scientist – Cell Therapy Process Development (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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