Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 6.08 | Mar 1 2017

TOP STORY

Single Tumor-Initiating Cells Evade Immune Clearance by Recruiting Type II Macrophages

By generating genetically defined liver tumor-initiating cells (TICs), the authors demonstrated that TICs actively recruit type II macrophages from as early as the single-cell stage. Elimination of TIC-associated macrophages abolished tumorigenesis in a manner dependent on the immune system. [Genes Dev] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Radiation Resistance in KRAS-Mutated Lung Cancer Is Enabled by Stem-Like Properties Mediated by an Osteopontin-EGFR Pathway

Researchers describe a radiation resistance phenotype conferred by a stem-like subpopulation characterized by mitosis-like condensed chromatin, high CD133 expression, invasive potential, and tumor-initiating properties. Mechanistic investigations defined a pathway involving osteopontin and the EGFR in promoting this phenotype. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Evolution of Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Endocrine-Resistant Metastatic Breast Cancers Is Mediated by Stromal Microvesicles

The authors demonstrated how microvesicles (MVs) derived from cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) transfer miR-221 to promote hormonal therapy resistance in models of luminal breast cancer. They determined that CAF-derived MVs horizontally transferred miR-221 to tumor cells and, in combination with hormone therapy activated an ER_lo/Notch_hi feed-forward loop responsible for the generation of CD133_hi cancer stem cell. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Retinoic Acid Directs Breast Cancer Cell State Changes through Regulation of TET2-PKCζ Pathway

Scientists provided evidence showing that all-trans retinoic acid induces the interaction and chromatin recruitment of a novel RARβ-TET2 complex to epigenetically activate a specific cohort of gene targets, including MiR-200c. [Oncogene] Full Article

miR-600 Acts as a Bimodal Switch That Regulates Breast Cancer Stem Cell Fate through WNT Signaling

Investigators performed two microRNA (miRNA) gain- and loss-of-function screens to identify miRNAs that regulate the choice between breast cancer stem cell (bCSC) self-renewal and differentiation. They found that miR-600 silencing results in bCSC expansion, while its overexpression reduces bCSC self-renewal, leading to decreased in vivo tumorigenicity. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

NK Cells Control Breast Cancer and Related Cancer Stem Cell Hematological Spread

It has been shown previously that natural killer (NK) cells recognize human glioma, melanoma, colon and prostate cancer stem cells (CSCs) in vitro. Researchers showed that human and mouse breast CSCs are also susceptible to NK cytotoxic activity in vitro. [Oncoimmunology] Abstract

Sulforaphane Enhances the Anticancer Activity of Taxanes against Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Killing Cancer Stem Cells

The authors examined the combination of taxanes with a breast cancer stem cell (CSC)-targeting agent sulforaphane for use against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). They demonstrated that paclitaxel or docetaxel treatment induces IL-6 secretion and results in expansion of CSCs in TNBC cell lines. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

ZEB1 Regulates Glioma Stemness through LIF Repression

Scientists identified ZEB1 binding sites within the LIF promoter region, and demonstrated LIF repression by ZEB1. ZEB1 knockdown in glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs) caused LIF induction commensurate with GCSC self-renewal and inhibition of differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Enhancing the Anti-Multiple Myeloma Efficiency in a Cancer Stem Cell Xenograft Model by Conjugating the ABCG2 Antibody with Microbubbles for a Targeted Delivery of Ultrasound Mediated Epirubicin

The authors used the targeting microbubbles conjugated with anti-ABCG2 monoclonal antibody for ultrasound mediated epirubicin delivery to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of the novel agent in multiple myeloma (MM) cancer stem cell xenograft model. All treated mice showed inhibited tumor sizes or bone lesions, decreased renal damages and anemia, and increased MM bearing mice’ survival. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

DKK3 Attenuates the Cytotoxic Effect of Natural Killer Cells on CD133⁺ Gastric Cancer Cells

Researchers isolated CD133 positive population of a gastric cancer cell line, BGC823 cells, and cultured with NK cells. They found that CD133 could efficiently active NK cells in an NKG2D-dependent manner. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonist Inhibited Survival of Breast Cancer Stem Cells via GLI-1 and ERK1/2 Pathway

The aim of current study was to investigate the effect of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonist on breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). XTT assay showed antiproliferative effect of A3AR agonist on BCSCs. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

An (Im)Penetrable Shield: How the Tumor Microenvironment Protects Cancer Stem Cells

Emerging therapies aimed at the tumor microenvironment (TME) offer a promising new tool in breaking through this shield to target the cancer stem cells (CSCs), yet definitive treatments remain unrealized. Scientists summarize the mechanisms by which CSCs are protected by the TME and current efforts to overcome these barriers. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Catching Moving Targets: Cancer Stem Cell Hierarchies, Therapy-Resistance & Considerations for Clinical Intervention

The authors argue that modern clinical strategies should appreciate that the cancer stem cell (CSC) hierarchy is a dynamic target that contains sensitive and resistant components and expresses a collection of therapy-resisting mechanisms. They propose that the CSC hierarchy at primary presentation changes in response to clinical intervention, resulting in a recurrent malignancy that should be targeted differently. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

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

Creo Medical Announces Participation in SUMCASTEC Research Program

Creo Medical Group plc announced its participation in the Semiconductor-Based Ultrawideband Micromanipulation of Cancer Stem Cells (SUMCASTEC) H2020 FET OPEN research program, led by the XLIM Research Institute at the University of Limoges in France. [Creo Medical Group plc] Press Release

Advaxis and SELLAS Announce Licensing Agreement for Development of WT1 Antigen-Targeting Immunotherapy

Advaxis, Inc. and SELLAS Life Sciences Group announced that Advaxis has granted SELLAS a license to develop a novel cancer immunotherapy agent using Advaxis’ proprietary Lm-based antigen delivery technology with SELLAS’ patented WT1 targeted heteroclitic peptide antigen mixture. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

Senior Republican Lawmaker Has Some Advice for U.S. Science Marchers

The chairman of a congressional spending panel that oversees a wide swath of U.S. science agencies has some unusual advice for scientists planning to march on 22 April: Don’t talk about research. Instead, demand that Congress find a way to cut mandatory spending programs. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

UK Scientists Welcome Changes to Controversial Research Reforms

Amendments aim to protect autonomy and the independence of research funders from political interference. [Nature News] Editorial

Trump’s 2018 Budget Will Squeeze Civilian Science Agencies

The chunk of the federal budget that includes most of the U.S. government’s spending on basic science would shrink by 10.5% in 2018 under a plan outlined by President Donald Trump and administration officials. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW hPSC Training Course: Reprogramming, Maintenance and Reversion to Naive-Like State
April 24-26, 2017
Vancouver, Canada

NEW Reversion of Primed hPSCs to Naive-Like State Training Course
April 25-26, 2017
Vancouver, Canada

NEW AACR International Conference on Translational Cancer Medicine
May 4-6, 2017
Sao Paulo, Brazil

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer (Tufts University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer/Normal Stem Cells (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Positions – Biomedical Research (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cells (Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School)

Principal Investigator – Cancer Research and Oncology Drug Discovery (Southern Research Institute)

Research Fellow – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (National University of Singapore)

Principal Scientist – Oncology (Janssen)

Postdoctoral Research – Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics of Cancer (Dartmouth College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Viruses and Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Genetics/Epigenetics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Cycle Control and Tumorigenesis (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Ubiquitin System and Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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