Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 6.18 | May 10 2017

TOP STORY

A Novel Agent SL-401 Induces Anti-Myeloma Activity by Targeting Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells, Osteoclastogenesis, and Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Investigators showed that SL-401 also decreases the viability of interleukin-3R-expressing cancer stem-like cells in multiple myeloma. [Leukemia] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Blockade of IDO-Kynurenine-AhR Metabolic Circuitry Abrogates IFN-γ-Induced Immunologic Dormancy of Tumor-Repopulating Cells

Using a 3D fibrin gel model, researchers showed that IFN-γ induces tumor-repopulating cells to enter dormancy through an indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-kynurenine-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-p27 dependent pathway. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Paired Related Homeobox 1 Transactivates Dopamine D2 Receptor to Maintain Propagation and Tumorigenicity of Glioma-Initiating Cells

The authors found that paired related homeobox 1, a homeodomain transcription factor that was previously reported to control skeletal development, is expressed in cortical neural progenitors and is required for their self-renewal and proper differentiation. [J Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

The Multi-Kinase Inhibitor Debio 0617B Reduces Maintenance and Self-Renewal of Primary Human AML CD34⁺ Stem/Progenitor Cells

The authors analyzed the potential to therapeutically target aberrant tyrosine kinase (TK) signaling and to eliminate leukemia stem cells via the multi-TK inhibitor Debio 0617B. Debio 0617B has a unique profile targeting key kinases upstream of STAT3/STAT5 signaling such as JAK, SRC, ABL and class III/V receptor TKs. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Cutting Edge: ERK1 Mediates the Autocrine Positive Feedback Loop of TGF-β and Furin in Glioma-Initiating Cells

Scientists report that furin is unique among the proprotein convertases subtilisin/kexin in being highly expressed in human glioma-initiating cells. Furin cleaves and promotes activation of pro–TGF-β1 and pro–TGF-β2, and TGF-β2 in turn increases furin levels. [J Immunol] Abstract

Overexpression of HOXA4 and HOXA9 Genes Promotes Self-Renewal and Contributes to Colon Cancer Stem Cell Overpopulation

Scientists found that HOXA4 and HOXA9 are up-regulated in colorectal cancer stem cells (CRC SCs). siRNA knockdown of HOXA4 and HOXA9 reduced: proliferation and sphere-formation and gene expression of known SC markers. These results indicate that proliferation and self-renewal ability of CRC SCs are reduced in HOXA4 and HOXA9 knockdown cells. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Ubiquitin Carboxyl-Terminal Esterase L1 (UCHL1) Is Associated with Stem-Like Cancer Cell Functions in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma

Investigators used SF188 and SJ-GBM2 cell lines to study the function of UCHL1, a deubiquitinase de-regulated in several cancers, in pediatric high-grade gliomas. UCHL1 depletion in SF188 and SJ-GBM2 glioma cells was associated with decreased cell proliferation and invasion, along with a reduced ability to grow in soft agar and to form spheres. [PLoS One] Full Article

Elevated Expression of Tie1 Is Accompanied by Acquisition of Cancer Stemness Properties in Colorectal Cancer

Analysis using sphere-formation culture revealed that Tie receptor 1 (Tie1)-positive cells are enriched within the population of tumor cells with cancer stemness properties. Indeed, Tie1-positive tumor cells derived from a murine model overexpressed Lgr5, a typical stemness marker for colorectal cancer. [Cancer Med] Full Article

TEAD1 Mediates the Oncogenic Activities of Hippo-YAP1 Signaling in Osteosarcoma

Investigators demonstrated that TEAD1 was the major transcription factor of Hippo signaling pathway in osteosarcoma (OS). Genetic silencing of TEAD1 suppressed multiple malignant phenotypes of OS cells including cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and invasive potential. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Expression of CD25 on Leukemic Stem Cells in BCR-ABL1⁺ CML: Potential Diagnostic Value and Functional Implications

Whereas normal CD34⁺/CD38⁻ bone marrow stem cells displayed only low amounts of CD25 or lack CD25, CD34⁺/CD38⁻ leukemic stem cells strongly expressed CD25 in over 90% of all patients with untreated chronic myeloid leukemia. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

Targeting Multiple Myeloma Cancer Stem Cells with Natural Products – Lessons from Other Hematological Malignancies

In this review, recent advances achieved in the characterization of cancer stem cells derived from hematological malignancies, with a particular focus on multiple myeloma, are discussed and major natural products that target cancer stem cells are presented. [Planta Med] Full Article

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

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Calithera Biosciences Expand Collaboration Evaluating Opdivo (Nivolumab) in Combination with CB-839 into Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Melanoma

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Calithera Biosciences, Inc. announced the companies have expanded their existing collaboration to evaluate Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo in combination with Calithera’s CB-839 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Six New York City Scientists Win Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance announced the six winners of the fourth annual Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, awarded annually to promising early career, NYC-area scientists. Recipients receive $200,000 in funding per year for up to three years, for a total of $600,000, to support explorative, high-risk/high-reward cancer research. [Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance] Press Release

The Secret War against Counterfeit Science

China is famous for knock-off DVDs, Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches. But counterfeit reagents aren’t on sale in busy public markets. They are sold through sophisticated websites, mixed in with legitimate supplies, and sourced and sold using a network of unwitting partners. [Nature News] Editorial

Science Publishers Try New Tack to Combat Unauthorized Paper Sharing

The unauthorized sharing of copyrighted research papers is on the rise, say analysts who track the publishing industry. Faced with this problem, science publishers seem to be changing tack in their approach to researchers who breach copyright. [Nature News] Editorial

Biotech Execs, Academic Leaders Make Case for NIH Funding at White House Meeting

Could the Trump administration be changing its mind about slashing funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)? Scientific leaders were optimistic after meeting at the White House with several biotech executives to discuss the “ecosystem” in which federally funded basic research leads to discoveries that companies turn into treatments. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy 2017
June 25-28, 2017
Gatineau, Canada

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

NEW Research Scientist – Leukemia (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

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

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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