KPT-8602, a Second-Generation Inhibitor of XPO1-Mediated Nuclear Export, Is Well Tolerated and Highly Active against AML Blasts and Leukemia-Initiating Cells Scientists report the anti-leukemic efficacy and tolerability of KPT-8602, a second-generation XPO1 inhibitor. KPT-8602 demonstrated substantially reduced brain penetration compared to selinexor, with resultant attenuation of the CNS-mediated side effects of anorexia and weight loss. [Leukemia] Full Article Dicer Elicits Paclitaxel Chemosensitization and Suppresses Cancer Stemness in Breast Cancer by Repressing AXL Paclitaxel is a standard-of-care chemotherapy for breast cancer, despite the increasing recognition of its poor effectiveness in the treatment of patients with advanced disease. Investigators report that adenovirus type 5 E1A-mediated elevation of the microRNA processing enzyme Dicer is sufficient to enhance paclitaxel sensitization and reduce cancer stem-like cell properties in this setting. [Cancer Res] Abstract The Tumor-Associated Glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I Regulates Stem Cell Transcription Factors and Confers a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype Researchers showed that ST6Gal-I is upregulated in ovarian and pancreatic carcinomas, enriched in metastatic tumors and associated with reduced patient survival. Notably, ST6Gal-I upregulation in cancer cells conferred hallmark cancer stem-like cell characteristics. [Cancer Res] Abstract De Novo HAPLN1 Expression Hallmarks Wnt-Induced Stem Cell and Fibrogenic Networks Leading to Aggressive Human Hepatocellular Carcinomas Wnt3a reprogrammed liver progenitors to replicating fibrogenic myofibroblast-like cells displaying stem and invasive features. Invasion was inhibited by 30 nM FZD7 and FZD8 CRDs. Translation of these data to human hepatocellular carcinoma revealed two tight gene networks associating cell surface Wnt signaling, stem/progenitor markers and mesenchymal commitment. [Oncotarget] Full Article PDTargeting Glioma Stem Cells Enhances Anti-Tumor Effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy To increase (10)boron uptake in glioma stem cells (GSCs), researchers created a polyamido amine dendrimer, conjugated CD133 monoclonal antibodies, encapsulating mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate in void spaces, and monitored the uptake of the bioconjugate nanoparticles by GSCs in vitro and in vivo. [Oncotarget] Full Article Reciprocal Activation between STAT3 and miR-181b Regulates the Proliferation of Esophageal Cancer Stem-Like Cells via the CYLD Pathway Sphere formation cells (SFCs) with properties of esophageal cancer stem-like cells were enriched. Enriched SFCs in serum-free suspension culture exhibited cancer stem-like cell properties and increased single-positive CD44+ CD24–, stemness factor, mesenchymal marker expression ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters and tumorigenicity in vivo compared with the parental cells. [Mol Cancer] Full Article Evidence that High-Migration Drug-Surviving MOLT4 Leukemia Cells Exhibit Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties Scientists obtained high migration drug-surviving (short term) MOLT4 cells (hMDSCs-MOLT4) with treatment of doxorubicin after Transwell assay. Then they detected stem cell-associated molecular markers on hMDSCs-MOLT4 cells and the parental MOLT4 cells by FCM, QPCR, western blotting, H&E staining and immunohisto-chemistry experimental techniques in vitro and in vivo. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Spheroid-Formation (Colonosphere) Assay for In Vitro Assessment and Expansion of Stem Cells in Colon Cancer The authors described a protocol for the development of an enrichment/culture assay using colorectal cancer (CRC)-cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) to facilitate colorectal cancer research through immunofluorescence staining of colonospheres. They have developed colonospheres from HCT116 CRC cell line to compare and link CRC-CSC markers to the NANOG expression level using an immunofluorescence assay. [Stem Cell Rev] Full Article Auraptene Attenuates Malignant Properties of Esophageal Stem-Like Cancer Cells Investigators aimed to determine the effects of auraptene, an interesting dietary coumarin with various biological activities, on malignant properties of stem-like esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, in terms of sensitivity to anticancer drugs and expression of specific markers. [Technol Cancer Res Treat] Abstract |