Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 6.17 | May 3 2017

TOP STORY

KDM3 Epigenetically Controls Tumorigenic Potentials of Human Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Scientists report that the KDM3 family of histone demethylases plays an important role in tumorigenic potential and survival of human colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) by epigenetically activating Wnt target gene transcription. The depletion of KDM3 inhibits tumorigenic growth and chemoresistance of human colorectal CSCs. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

tRF/miR-1280 Suppresses Stem Cell-Like Cells and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

The authors report that tRNA-derived fragments (tRF)/miR-1280, a 17bp fragment derived from tRNALeu and pre-miRNA, influences Notch signaling pathways that support the function of cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer progression. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Mediated by ALK-2 and DLX2 Regulates Apoptosis in Glioma-Initiating Cells

Investigators demonstrated that the bone morphogenetic protein type I receptor ALK-2 has crucial roles in apoptosis induction of patient-derived glioma-initiating cells, TGS-01 and TGS-04. [Oncogene] Abstract

The Induction of Selected Wnt Target Genes by Tcf1 Mediates Generation of Tumorigenic Colon Stem Cells

Using single-cell qPCR analysis, researchers identified a subset of Lgr5-positive stem cells that emerged during tumorigenesis in a mouse model of colon cancer. These tumor-specific Lgr5-positive cells expressed low levels of Ceacam1 and increased levels of a specific subset of Wnt targets and showed enhanced tumorigenicity. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Resistance to Taxanes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Associates with the Dynamics of a CD49f⁺ Tumor-Initiating Population

The authors found that a CD49f⁺ chemoresistant population with tumor-initiating ability is present in sensitive tumors and expands during the acquisition of drug resistance. In the absence of the drug, the resistant CD49f⁺ population shrinks and taxane sensitivity is restored. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1(NDRG1) Promotes the Stem-Like Properties of Lung Cancer Cells through Stabilized c-Myc

Researchers evaluated differences of mRNA expression between parental and oncosphere cells that enriched tumor-initiating cells. They found that NDRG1 was upregulated in oncosphere cells derived from human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and primary NSCLC cells. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Hepatitis B Virus PreS1 Facilitates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Promoting Appearance and Self-Renewal of Liver Cancer Stem Cells

Investigators showed that hepatitis B virus stimulates the production of cancer stem cells (CSCs)-related markers and CSCs-related genes and facilitates the self-renewal of CSCs in human hepatoma cells. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Endothelial Cells Activate the Cancer Stem Cell-Associated NANOGP8 Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells in a Paracrine Fashion

The authors treated a newly developed colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line and established CRC cell lines with conditioned medium (CM) from primary endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from non-malignant liver, lung, colon mucosa, and kidney. They showed that CM from ECs from all organs increased the number of CSCs, as determined by sphere formation, and protein levels of NANOG and OCT4 in CRC cells. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

miRNA-34c-5p Inhibits Amphiregulin-Induced Ovarian Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance via Downregulation of the AREG-EGFR-ERK Pathway

To explore the stemness characteristics of ovarian cancer stem cells, scientists successfully enriched ovarian cancer stem-like cells from an established ovarian cancer cell line and a fresh ovarian tumor-derived cell line. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Ring Finger Protein 43 Associates with Gastric Cancer Progression and Attenuates the Stemness of Gastric Cancer Stem-Like Cells via the Wnt-β/Catenin Signaling Pathway

Overexpression of ring finger protein 43 in gastric cancer cells impaired their stem-like properties, including sphere formation ability, chemoresistance in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

MiR-23b Controls ALDH1A1 Expression in Cervical Cancer Stem Cells

Scientists tried to find a new therapeutic target for cervical cancer stem cells. They detected ALDH1A1-associated miRNAs expression in isolated tumorspheres and their corresponding parental cells. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells More Questions than Answers

The author reviews current knowledge on the characteristics of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) and the micro environmental mechanisms leading to the development or activation of OCSCs resulting in ovarian cancer. [Semin Cancer Biol] Full Article

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

Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Initiation of Phase II Clinical Development for CX-02 in Recurrent Glioblastoma

Cantex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that dosing has been initiated in its Phase II clinical trial for CX-02, Cantex’s proprietary combination of disulfiram + copper, in recurrent glioblastoma. [Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

European Commission Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (Nivolumab) for Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck in Adults Progressing on or after Platinum-Based Therapy

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the European Commission has approved Opdivo as monotherapy for the treatment of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in adults progressing on or after platinum-based therapy. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

NIH to Limit the Amount of Grant Money a Scientist Can Receive

For the first time, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) will restrict the amount of funding that an individual scientist can hold at any one time, based on a new point system. The move is part of an ongoing effort to make obtaining grants easier for early and mid-career scientists, who face much tougher odds than their more-experienced colleagues. [Nature News] Editorial

Researchers Frustrated by Italian Misconduct Probe

More than five years ago, Italian police began investigating allegations of research misconduct in papers by Alfredo Fusco, a prominent cancer scientist in Naples. Researchers frustrated by the case’s slow progress have told Nature that there is strong evidence that dozens of papers may contain manipulated data — and that a commercial photography studio was called in to cut and paste images. They say they are speaking out about the magnitude of the allegations because of their increasing impatience with the slow pace of investigations by police and by academic authorities. [Nature News] Editorial

How Science Fares in the U.S. Budget Deal

Congress has finally reached a deal on spending bills for the 2017 fiscal year, which ends on 30 September. House of Representatives and Senate leaders announced last night that they expect lawmakers to vote this week on an agreement that wraps together all 12 appropriations bills that fund federal operations. For the past 7 months, the government has been operating under a continuing resolution that froze 2017 spending at most agencies at 2016 levels and generally prevented them from starting new programs. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Germinal Stem Cell Biology
June 18-23, 2017
Hong Kong, China

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

NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Biology/Immunology/Leukemia Research (University of Miami)

NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Research/Oncology (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Signaling Pathways in Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Genome Institute of Singapore)

Research Officers – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Genome Institute of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Biology (University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell (University of Kentucky)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (Helmholtz Association)

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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