Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 5.26 | Jul 6 2016

TOP STORY

Rapid Reprogramming of Primary Human Astrocytes into Potent Tumor Initiating Cells with Defined Genetic Factors

Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are thought to drive brain cancer but their cellular and molecular origins remain uncertain. Researchers report the successful generation of induced CSC from primary human astrocytes through the expression of defined genetic factors. [Cancer Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

EphrinB2 Drives Perivascular Invasion and Proliferation of Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells

Investigators showed that ephrin-B2 mediates glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC) perivascular invasion. Intravital imaging, coupled with mechanistic studies in murine glioblastoma models and patient-derived GSC, revealed that endothelial ephrin-B2 compartmentalizes non-tumorigenic cells. [eLife] Full Article

Identification and Targeting of Long-Term Tumor-Propagating Cells in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Scientists identified a population of long-term tumor-propagating cells in a mouse model of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This population, marked by high levels of EpCAM and CD24, was also prevalent in human primary SCLC tumors. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Positive Feedback Loop of OCT4 and c-JUN Expedites Cancer Stemness in Liver Cancer

HepG2-derived induced pluripotent stem cell-like cells were generated by introducing Yamanaka factors and the knockdown vector shTP53. They exhibited features of stemness and a higher tumorigenesis after xenograft transplantation compared with HepG2 cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Carbon Ion Irradiation Withstands Cancer Stem Cells’ Migration/Invasion Process in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

Efficacy of photon and carbon ion irradiation with addition of cetuximab was studied on clonogenic death, migration and invasion of two HNSCC populations: SQ20B and SQ20B/cancer stem cells. SQ20B expressed E-cadherin and overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) while SQ20B/cancer stem cells expressed N-cadherin and low EGFR. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Inflammatory Related Gene IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ Cooperates to Determine Liver Cancer Stem Cells Progression by Altering Telomere via Heterochromatin Protein 1-HOTAIR Axis

IKK is a protein kinase that is composed of IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ. The authors demonstrated that IKKα plus IKKβ promoted and IKKγ inhibited liver cancer stem cell growth in vitro and in vivo. [Oncotarget] Full Article

MNK Inhibition Disrupts Mesenchymal Glioma Stem Cells and Prolongs Survival in a Mouse Model of Glioblastoma

Scientists identified MAPK-interacting kinases (MNKs) as potential targets for the glioma stem cells (GSCs) population in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Isoform-level subtyping using The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that both MNK genes (MKNK1 and MKNK2) are upregulated in mesenchymal GBM as compared to other subtypes. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

High-Throughput Screening Identifies Artesunate as Selective Inhibitor of Cancer Stemness: Involvement of Mitochondrial Metabolism

Investigators used the alkaline phosphatase assay to identify inhibitors for cancer stemness in induced cancer stem-like (iCSCL) cells. They screened several compounds from natural product chemical library and evaluated hit compounds for their efficacy on cancer stemness in iCSCL tumorspheres. [J Clin Pathol] Abstract

CD133 Modulate HIF-1α Expression under Hypoxia in EMT Phenotype Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Researchers aimed to demonstrate that CD133 regulates hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression with tumor migration. The CD133⁺ pancreatic cancer cell line, Capan1M9, was compared with the CD133^– cell line, shCD133M9, under hypoxia. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

EMT: 2016

The authors discuss the current state-of-the-art and latest findings regarding the concept of cellular plasticity and heterogeneity in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). They raise some of the questions pending and identify the challenges faced in this fast-moving field. [Cell] Full Article

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Initiation of Phase I Clinical Study with Novel Immuno-Oncology Candidate Triggers US$10 Million Milestone Payment from AstraZeneca

Heptares Therapeutics announced it has been notified by its partner AstraZeneca that the first subject has been dosed with immuno-oncology candidate HTL1071 (AZD4635) in a Phase I clinical study, triggering a US$10 million payment from AstraZeneca. [Heptares Therapeutics] Press Release

GenomeDx Biosciences Receives Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

GenomeDx Biosciences announced that it has received Laboratory Accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program. [GenomeDx Biosciences] Press Release

Biocept Granted Japanese Patent Covering Microchannel and Antibody Capture

Biocept, Inc. announced the granting of Japanese patent #5923035 for Devices and Methods of Cell Capture and Analysis. The patent covers the use of antibodies in the capture of rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells from blood, as well as other biological fluids. [GenomeDx Biosciences] Press Release

NEW 2016 World Cancer Congress
October 31-November 3, 2016
Paris, France

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cancer stem cell community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Synthetic Cancer Biology (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Biology in Multiple Myeloma (Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic)

Institute Associate Scientist III – Target Biology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Wnt Pathway in Sarcoma Pathogenesis (University of Miami Health System)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Leukemic Stem Cells (University of Oxford)

Senior Cancer Analyst – 100,000 Genomes Project (Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Researcher – DNA Damage Signaling (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Biology of Tumor Initiating Cells (German Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Pharmacology, Systems Biology, Cancer Therapeutics (German Cancer Research Center)

Team Leader – Immune-Oncology (Fondation Toulouse Cancer Sante)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Adaptive T-Cell Therapy for Cancer (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Myeloid Cells in Cancer Patients (The Wistar Institute)

Faculty Position – Multidisciplinary Research Programs (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome and Epigenome of Pediatric Cancer (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

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