Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 6.38 | Sep 27 2017

TOP STORY

Chromosome 1q21.3 Amplification Is a Trackable Biomarker and Actionable Target for Breast Cancer Recurrence

Scientists report the identification of chromosomal copy-number amplification at 1q21.3 that is enriched in subpopulations of breast cancer cells bearing characteristics of tumor-initiating cells and that strongly associates with breast cancer recurrence. [Nat Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Lgr6 Is a Stem Cell Marker in Mouse Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Using lineage tracing in Lgr5-EGFP-CreERT2/Rosa26-Tomato and Lgr6-EGFP-CreERT2/Rosa26-Tomato reporter mice, scientists demonstrated that Lgr6, but not Lgr5, acts as an epithelial stem cell marker in squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) in vivo. They identified, by single-molecule in situ hybridization and cell sorting, rare cells positive for Lgr6 expression in immortalized keratinocytes and show that their frequency increases in advanced SCCs. [Nat Genet] Abstract

Induction of Cancer Cell Stemness by Depletion of Macrohistone H2A1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) sections, the authors uncovered a significant correlation between low frequencies of macroH2A1 staining and advanced, aggressive HCC subtypes with poorly-differentiated tumor phenotypes. Using HCC cell lines they found that shRNA-mediated macroH2A1 knock-down induced acquisition of cancer stem cell-like features, including the growth of significantly larger and less-differentiated tumors when injected into nude mice. [Hepatology] Abstract

Dual Inhibition of EZH1/2 Breaks the Quiescence of Leukemia Stem Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Researchers showed that quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs) expressed the highest levels of enhancer of zeste (EZH) 1 and EZH2, the polycomb repressive complex 2 catalytic subunits, in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) hierarchy, and that dual inactivation of EZH1/2 eradicated quiescent LSCs to cure AML. [Leukemia] Abstract

NG2 Antigen Is Involved in Leukemia Invasiveness and Central Nervous System Infiltration in MLL-Rearranged Infant B-ALL

Researchers evaluated whether neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) distinguished leukemia-initiating/propagating cells (L-ICs) and/or central nervous system (CNS)-infiltrating cells in infant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (iMLLr-B-ALL). [Leukemia] Abstract

CD90 Expression Controls Migration and Predicts Dasatinib Response in Glioblastoma

Investigators showed that CD90 is not only expressed on glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells but also on more differentiated GBM cancer cells. In GBM patients, CD90 expression was associated with an adhesion/migration gene signature and with invasive tumor features. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Interleukin-6 Blockade Attenuates Lung Cancer Tissue Construction Integrated by Cancer Stem Cells

The authors successfully generated lung CSC-like cells by introducing a small set of transcription factors into a lung cancer cell line. In addition to properties that are conventionally referred to as CSC properties, the lung induced CSCs exhibited the ability to form lung cancer-like tissues in vitro with vascular cells and mesenchymal stem cells, which showed structures and immunohistological patterns that were similar to human lung cancer tissues. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Dual “mAb” HER Family Blockade in Head and Neck Cancer Human Cell Lines Combined with Photon Therapy

Scientists investigated the effect of HER1/2/3 blockade through a combination of cetuximab and pertuzumab, with or without photon irradiation, on the proliferation and migration/invasion capabilities of an head and neck squamous cell carcinoma chemo- and radio-resistant human cell line and its corresponding stem cell subpopulation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Xanthine Dehydrogenase Downregulation Promotes TGFβ Signaling and Cancer Stem Cell-Related Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Researchers showed that low xanthine dehydrogenase mRNA levels were correlated with higher tumor stages and poorer prognoses in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Knocking down or inhibiting XDH promoted migration and invasion but not proliferation of HCC cells. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Activity of a Sesquiterpene Lactone Isolated from Ambrosia Arborescens and of a Synthetic Derivative

Researchers investigated the anti-cancer activity of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Ambrosia arborescens and of synthetic derivatives in breast cancer cell lines, with a specific focus on activity against cancer stem cells. [PLoS One] Abstract | Press Release

Cellular Heterogeneity Contributes to Subtype-Specific Expression of ZEB1 in Human Glioblastoma

Researchers characterized ZEB1 expression at single cell level in 266 primary brain tumors and presented a comprehensive dataset of high grade gliomas with Ki67, p53, IDH1, and EGFR immunohistochemistry, as well as EGFR FISH. ZEB1 protein expression in glioma stem cell lines was compared to their parental tumors with respect to gene expression subtypes based on RNA-seq transcriptomic profiles. [PLoS One] Full Article

High-Throughput Microfluidic Labyrinth for the Label-free Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells

Scientists used previously established cancer stem cell gene signatures to profile single cells isolated from the blood of breast cancer patients. They observed heterogeneous subpopulations of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing genes for stem cells, epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, and cells transitioning between epithelial and mesenchymal. [Cell Syst] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

New Opportunities and Challenges to Defeat Cancer Stem Cells

Functional regulators of stem cell (stemness) signaling pathways in human cancers have brought new opportunities to target CSCs and reframe cancer-targeting strategies in clinical settings. However, challenges remain due to a lack of complete understanding of CSC plasticity/heterogeneity and the limited efficacy of individual stemness inhibitors in cancer treatment. Scientists review CSC signaling pathways and the current state of CSC-targeting therapeutics in combinatory treatments in clinical trials. [Trends Cancer] Abstract

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

Combination of Optune^® with Temozolomide Demonstrates Unprecedented Five-Year Survival for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients

Novocure announced results from its Phase III pivotal EF-14 trial adding Optune to temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). Patients treated with Optune in combination with temozolomide experienced a significant extension of overall survival without added toxicity compared to patients treated with temozolomide alone. [Press release from Novocure discussing research presented at American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) 2017 Annual Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

The BATTLE Trial Will Investigate the Combination of BL-8040 and Atezolizumab under Cancer Immunotherapy Collaboration

BioLineRx Ltd. announced the initiation of a Phase Ib/II trial for BL-8040 in combination with atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®), an anti-PDL1 cancer immunotherapy from Genentech. The trial, known as the BATTLE study , will focus on the maintenance treatment of patients with intermediate- and high-risk acute myeloid leukemia who have achieved a complete response following induction and consolidation therapy. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

GW Signs $5.3 Million Agreement to Research Plasma-Based Cancer Therapies

George Washington University has signed a $5.3 million corporate research sponsorship agreement with Maryland-based US Patent Innovations, LLC that will fund a new initiative to develop biomedical applications for cold plasma technology in cancer treatment. [George Washington University] Press Release

MD Anderson Cancer Center and Pfizer Oncology Announce Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate Immuno-Oncology Combinations in Blood Cancers and Solid Tumors

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Pfizer Inc. announced that they have entered into a clinical collaboration to study novel combinations of three Pfizer investigational immuno-oncology therapies and other Pfizer agents in the treatment of various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. [MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

Canada Names New Chief Science Adviser

Mona Nemer, a cardiology researcher and vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa, has been named Canada’s new Chief Science Adviser by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Senate Panel Blocks NIH from Revising Translational Research Awards

A congressional spending panel has backed scientists running a $516 million network of bench-to-bedside research centers in their fight with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, over how it manages the network. It’s the latest step in a long-running tug-of-war over the direction of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2018
April 11-14, 2018
Geneva, Switzerland

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