Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 5.40 | Oct 12 2016

TOP STORY

Impairment of DYRK2 Augments Stem-Like Traits by Promoting KLF4 Expression in Breast Cancer

Investigators showed that dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-kinase 2 (DYRK2) is a novel negative regulator for formation of breast cancer stem cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Development of Novel Imaging Agent Using Peptide-Coated Gold Nanoparticles Toward Brain Glioma Stem Cell Marker CD133.

CD133 is a potential target for accurate diagnosis of glioblastoma, which could improve its poor prognosis for patients when cancer stem cells are present. Scientists designed a small peptide-based imaging agent with stimulus-responsive properties. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Musashi 2 Contributes to the Stemness and Chemoresistance of Liver Cancer Stem Cells via LIN28A Activation

The authors demonstrated that Musashi 2 (MSI2) was highly expressed in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs). Overexpression or knockdown of MSI2 altered CSC-related gene expression, self-renewal as well as resistance to chemotherapy in HCC cell lines. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Propagating Cells are Detectable by Side Population Analysis and Possess an Expression Profile Reflective of a Primitive Origin

The recent identification of “Side Population” (SP) cells in a number of unrelated human cancers has renewed interests in the hypothesis of cancer stem cells. Scientists isolated SP cells from HepG2 cells and 18 of the 21 fresh hepatocellular carcinoma tissue samples. [Sci Rep] Full Article

DUOX1 Silencing in Lung Cancer Promotes EMT, Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics and Invasive Properties

DUOX1 silencing in H292 cells led to enhanced resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as erlotinib, and enhanced levels of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers CD133 and ALDH1. Furthermore, acquired resistance of H292 cells to erlotinib resulted in enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and CSC features, as well as loss of DUOX1. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Discovery of Cell Surface Vimentin Targeting mAb for Direct Disruption of GBM Tumor Initiating Cells

It remains unknown whether cell surface vimentin (CSV) can serve as a therapeutic target in CSV-expressing tumor cells. The authors found that CSV was present on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cancer stem cells and that CSV expression was associated with spheroid formation in those cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Heparan Sulfate Hexasaccharide Selectively Inhibits Cancer Stem Cells Self-Renewal by Activating p38 MAP Kinase

Investigators discovered that a non-anticoagulant heparan sulfate hexasaccharide sequence, but not other shorter or longer sequences, selectively inhibited cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal and induced apoptosis in colorectal, pancreatic, and breast CSCs suggesting a very general phenomenon. [Oncotarget] Full Article

3D Bioprinted Glioma Stem Cells for Brain Tumor Model and Applications of Drug Susceptibility

An alternative method for research of gliomagenesis and drug resistance is to use in vitro tumor model that closely mimics the in vivo tumor microenvironment. Investigators established a 3D bioprinted glioma stem cell model, using modified porous gelatin/alginate/fibrinogen hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix. [Biofabrication] Abstract

The Plant-Derived Triterpenoid Tingenin B Is a Potent Anticancer Agent Due to Its Cytotoxic Activity on Cancer Stem Cells of Breast Cancer in Vitro.

Scientists investigated the cytotoxic activity of tingenin b against breast cancer stem cells (stem-cell enriched population from MCF-7 cell line, MCF-7s). They have found that tingenin b was cytotoxic against MCF-7s by inducing apoptosis. [Chem Biol Interact] Abstract

KATapulting Toward Pluripotency and Cancer

The authors explore an emerging concept that lysine acetyltransferase enzymes drive cellular plasticity in the context of somatic cell reprogramming and tumorigenesis. [J Mol Biol] Abstract

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

Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc. Presents Preclinical Data Showing Promise of a Novel Differentiated Target on Leukemic Stem Cells

Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc. announced preclinical data showing potent killing of leukemic blast and stem cells by CSC030-ADC, the company’s antibody drug-conjugate (ADC) product candidate being developed as a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. [Press release from Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc. (BusinessWire Inc.) discussing research presented at 7^th Annual World Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

Updated Results Presented for the Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) Combination in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma from Phase I Study

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced updated results from the Phase I CheckMate -016 trial, which evaluated the safety and tolerability of Opdivo at different doses as part of a regimen with Yervoy, sunitinib or pazopanib in previously treated and treatment-naïve patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Daiichi Sankyo and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Announce Lung Cancer Research Collaboration

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute announced a preclinical research collaboration focused on lung cancer. [Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited] Press Release

Daiichi Sankyo Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase III QuANTUM-First Trial Investigating Quizartinib in Newly-Diagnosed FLT3-ITD⁺ Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited announced that the first patient has been enrolled in the global Phase III QuANTUM-First study evaluating the oral FLT3-ITD inhibitor quizartinib in patients with newly-diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia. [Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited] Press Release

Delcath Announces First European Clinical Sites for FOCUS Phase III Trial for Ocular Melanoma Liver Metastases

Delcath Systems, Inc. announces that five clinical sites in Europe have been activated and are open for patient enrollment in the company’s FOCUS Phase III clinical trial for patients with hepatic dominant ocular melanoma. [Delcath Systems, Inc.] Press Release

Grant Awards: Diversity Boost

A recruitment and retention program launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institution in Chevy Chase, Maryland, aims to reduce barriers for women and under-represented minorities who seek academic-research careers in the life sciences. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Investors Flee as Firm Scraps RNA-Interference Drug Candidate

A prominent developer of drugs that use RNA interference has abandoned one of its leading candidates amid safety concerns — sending a fresh wave of worry through a field that has long struggled to bring treatments to market. [Nature News] Editorial

The Many Shades of European Postdoc Funding

Finding the right grant or fellowship to fund a postdoc can be a challenge, and the situation is all the more complex in Europe, where academic systems, career prospects, and living costs vary widely among countries. [Science Careers] Editorial

NEW Cancer Metabolism and the Tumor Microenvironment Conference
November 9-12, 2016
Paphos, Cyprus

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

NEW Research Associate – Plasticity and Cancer (University of Cambridge)

NEW Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) – Mechanisms Related to Aging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Scientific Developer – Computational Systems Biology of Cancer (Institut Curie)

Post-Doctoral Researcher – Influential Nodes and Links in Multi-Level Cancer-Related Networks (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

Two Assistant Professor Positions – Molecular Medicine (University of Georgia)

Postdoctoral Associate – Glioma Stem Cell Biology and Cerebral Organoid (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Research, Hematopoiesis, Cancer, Genome Editing (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Cell Division (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

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)

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

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