Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 5.35 | Sep 7 2016

TOP STORY

Combined Targeting of BCL-2 and BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Eradicates Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells

The authors demonstrated increased BCL-2 expression at the protein level in bone marrow cells, particularly in Lin⁻Sca-1⁺cKit⁺ cells of inducible chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in mice, as determined by CyTOF mass cytometry. Further, selective inhibition of BCL-2, aided by TKI-mediated MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibition, markedly decreased leukemic Lin⁻Sca-1⁺cKit⁺ cell numbers and long-term stem cell frequency and prolonged survival in a murine CML model. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Immune Receptor Trem1 Cooperates with Diminished DNA Damage Response to Induce Preleukemic Stem Cell Expansion

Researchers found that chronic exposure of the Fanca^-/- hematopoietic stem cells to DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C in vivo leads to diminished DNA damage response, and the emergence/expansion of preleukemia stem cells. [Leukemia] Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma Stem-Like Cells Shapes Tumor-Initiating Niche by Regulating Associated Macrophages

Presence of tumor-associated macrophages has prognostic significance in cholangiocarcinoma and other malignancies. Researchers hypothesized that cancer stem cells may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. [J Hepatol] Abstract

CD51 Correlates with the TGF-Beta Pathway and Is a Functional Marker for Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells

Investigators report that CD51⁺ colorectal cancer (CRC) cells displayed greater sphere-forming and tumorigenic capacities, increased migratory and invasive potentials, and enhanced chemoresistance compared with CD51^– CRC cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Genotypes of Cancer Stem Cells Characterized by Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Proliferation Related Functions

Researchers conducted functional genomic studies of cancer stem cells (CSCs) based on fourteen PCA-screened high quality public CSC whole genome gene expression datasets and, as control, four high quality non-stem-like cancer cell and non-cancerous stem cell datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. [Sci Rep] Full Article

GRAM Domain-Containing Protein 1A (GRAMD1A) Promotes the Expansion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stem Cell and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth through STAT5

Functional analyses revealed GRAMD1A contributed to the self-renewal of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stem cells, resistance to chemotherapy and tumor growth of HCC determined by hepatosphere formation assay, side population analysis, TUNEL assay, soft agar growth ability assay and tumor growth model in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

β-Escin Selectively Targets the Glioblastoma-Initiating Cell Population and Reduces Cell Viability

Scientists report the identification of the natural compound β-escin as a selective inhibitor of glioblastoma-initiating cells (GIC) viability. Indeed, β-escin was significantly cytotoxic in nine patient-derived GIC, whilst exhibiting no substantial effect on the other human cancer or control cell lines tested. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Cancer Stem Cells Therapeutic Target Database: The First Comprehensive Database for Therapeutic Targets of Cancer Stem Cells

The authors describe the Cancer Stem Cells Therapeutic Target Database, the first online database to provide a rich bioinformatics resource for the display, search, and analysis of structure, function, and related annotation for therapeutic targets of cancer stem cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Enhance Cancer Stem Cell Property and Tumor Formation Capacity in Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells through an Interleukin-6 Paracrine Circuit

The authors isolated primary adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from the abdominal fat of mice and conducted interaction of ADSCs with Lewis lung carcinoma cells in culture and in mice to investigate the impacts of ADSCs on tumor development. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Methylparaben Stimulates Tumor Initiating Cells in ER⁺ Breast Cancer Models

To evaluate the physiological effects of a suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in vivo, investigators exposed MCF-7 breast cancer cells and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) to physiological levels of methylparaben (mePB), which is commonly used in personal care products as a preservative. mePB pellets led to increased tumor size of MCF-7 xenografts and ER⁺ PDX tumors. [J Appl Toxicol] Abstract

Autophagy in Cancer Metastasis

The reviewers provide a general overview of how autophagy modulates cancer metastasis and discuss the significance of new findings for disease management. [Oncogene] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cancer stem cell research field.

DelMar Pharmaceuticals and Accurexa to Collaborate in the Development of a Novel Combination Chemotherapy for the Local Treatment of Brain Cancer

DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Accurexa Inc. announced a collaboration to develop a novel formulation for the local delivery of combination chemotherapy for the treatment of brain cancer and other solid tumors. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement DelMar will supply VAL-083 to be formulated within Accurexa’s proprietary ACX-31 implantable polymer wafer to locally deliver VAL-083 in combination with temozolomide and/or BCNU for the treatment of brain cancer. [DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

BioLineRx Announces Clinical Research Collaboration to Investigate Combination of BL-8040 with Atezolizumab in Multiple Oncology Indications

BioLineRx Ltd. announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to support several Phase Ib studies investigating BioLineRx’s BL-8040 in combination with Atezolizumab, Genentech’s anti-PDL1 cancer immunotherapy, in multiple cancer indications. The Phase Ib studies will evaluate the clinical response, safety and tolerability of the combination of these therapies, as well as multiple pharmacodynamic parameters, in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

Hyundai Hope on Wheels Awards 34 Pediatric Cancer Research Grants during the Month of September – National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Hyundai Motor America and its nonprofit organization, Hyundai Hope On Wheels^® announced that it will award $7.5 million in new pediatric cancer research grants to 34 hospitals across the U.S. during September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness month. [Hyundai Motor America] Press Release

In Wake of Attacks, German Science Bodies Fend for Animal Research

Germany’s major research institutes have teamed up to publicly defend “responsible” animal testing as a necessary part of biomedical science. [Science News] Editorial

Boom in Unproven Cell Therapies Intensifies Regulatory Debate

Controversial US guidelines attempt to rein in rogue stem-cell clinics. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The 2^nd International Conference on Aging and Disease (ICAD 2016)
September 30-October 2, 2017
Stanford, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Program Manager (German Cancer Research Center)

NEW Scientific Officer – Peer Review Office (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul cancro)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Laboratory Studies Brain Cancer Stem Cells (Houston Methodist)

Associate Scientist – Epigenetics of Cancer (Celgene Corporation)

Full Professor – Molecular Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Metastatic Breast Cancer (Purdue Center for Cancer Research)

Core Staff Scientist (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Principal Investigator – Clinical Geneticist in Pediatric Leukemia (Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung)

Bioinformatician – Bioinformatics Data Analysis (Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung)

Senior Research Assistant – Differentiation and Survival of Leukemia Stem Cells (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Tenure Track Faculty – Biological Sciences Scholars Program (University of Michigan)

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

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