Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 6.41 | Oct 18 2017

TOP STORY

Melanocyte Stem Cell Activation and Translocation Initiate Cutaneous Melanoma in Response to UV Exposure

Researchers employed mouse models to define the role of melanocyte stem cells (MCSCs) as melanoma cells of origin, demonstrated that MCSC quiescence acts as a tumor suppressor, and identified the extrinsic environmental and molecular factors required for the critical early steps of melanoma initiation. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Mitophagy Controls the Activities of Tumor Suppressor p53 to Regulate Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells

Investigators report that mitophagy, the selective removal of mitochondria by autophagy, positively regulates hepatic cancer stem cells by suppressing the tumor suppressor p53. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Metallo-Supramolecular Complexes Enantioselectively Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells In Vivo

Researchers found that one enantiomer of zinc-finger-like chiral metallohelices, [Ni2L3]4+-P, a telomeric G-quadruplex-targeting ligand, can preferentially reduce cell growth in breast CSCs compared to the bulk cancer cells. [J Am Chem Soc] Abstract

Quantified Postsurgical Small Cell Size CTCs and EpCAM⁺ Circulating Tumor Stem Cells with Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Determine Cancer Relapse

A novel subtraction enrichment and immunostaining-FISH strategy, improved and optimized for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma-circulating tumor stem cells (CTCs) was applied to comprehensively detect, phenotypically and karyotypically characterize hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma CTCs in patients subjected to surgical resection. Clinical significance of diverse subtypes of CTC was systematically investigated. [Cancer Lett] Full Article

IL6 Blockade Potentiates the Anti-Tumor Effects of γ-Secretase Inhibitors in Notch3-Expressing Breast Cancer

The authors demonstrated that gamma secretase inhibitors, such as MK-0752 and RO4929097, inhibit breast tumor growth, but increase the breast cancer stem cell population in Notch3-expressing breast cancer cells, in a process that is coupled with IL6 induction and is blocked by the IL6R antagonist Tocilizumab. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Glucose Insult Elicits Hyperactivation of Cancer Stem Cells through MiR-424–cdc42–prdm14 Signaling Axis

Scientists compared the effect of physiological and diabetic levels of glucose on malignant breast epithelial cell invasion and stemness capabilities. They performed microRNA array to determine the dysregulated microRNAs in hyperglycaemic conditions and performed functional and molecular analysis of the gene targets. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

A Large-Scale RNAi Screen Identifies SGK1 as a Key Survival Kinase for GBM Stem Cells

To identify genetic determinants important for the proliferation and survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) stem cells, an unbiased pooled shRNA screen of 10,000 genes was conducted under normoxic as well as hypoxic conditions. A number of essential genes were identified that are required for GBM stem-like cells (GBM-SC) growth, under either or both oxygen conditions, in two different GBM-SC lines. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Tumor Microenvironment Favor Breast Cancer Stem Cell Proliferation, Cancerogenic and Metastatic Potential, via Ionotropic Purinergic Signaling

Scientists analyzed the role played by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in breast cancer oncogenesis. Data indicated that interaction of breast cancer cells with MSCs resulted in an increased proliferation and metabolic activity of breast cancer cells, partially due to MSC-derived microvesicles that are shed in the tumor microenvironment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

In Vitro Investigation of Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cell Proportions and Their Changes following X-Ray Irradiation as a Function of HPV Status

Baseline and post-irradiation changes in CSC proportions were investigated by flow cytometry in a HPV-negative and a HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line, using fluorescent staining with CD44/ALDH markers. CSC proportions in both irradiated and unirradiated cultures were compared for the two cell lines at various times post-irradiation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mitochondrial OXPHOS Induced by RB1 Deficiency in Breast Cancer: Implications for Anabolic Metabolism, Stemness, and Metastasis

The authors discuss how increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) can enhance anabolic metabolism and cell proliferation, as well as cancer stemness and metastasis. They propose that retinoblastoma (RB1) loss represents a prototypic oncogenic alteration that promotes OXPHOS, that aggressive tumors acquire lethal combinations of oncogenes and tumor suppressors that stimulate anabolism versus OXPHOS, and that targeting both metabolic pathways would be therapeutic. [Trends Cancer] Abstract

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

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Joins the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy announced that researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have joined its network. Dana-Farber is a leader in cancer research and brings a team of experts who will collaborate with Parker Institute investigators to enhance and expand research projects and clinical trials. [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute] Press Release

Regen BioPharma, Inc. Researchers Capitalize on Key Structure in Compounds that Activate Checkpoint NR2F6 for the Potential Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

Regen BioPharma Inc. believes it has taken full advantage of its recent prior discovery in developing small molecule drugs that activate NR2F6. The company recently reported that it identified key structural elements in small molecules that make them active and specific towards the NR2F6 target. Now, further chemical testing has revealed dozens of compounds which activate NR2F6 which contain the key motif discovered. [Regen BioPharma, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Efforts to Save Leading Hungarian University Hit Hurdle

The threatened Central European University in Budapest has been dealt a blow in its efforts to avert possible closure in Hungary. The country’s parliament voted to postpone, for a year, a decision that would allow the university to keep operating there. [Nature News] Editorial

New Definitions of Scientific Units Are on the Horizon

Revamped definitions of scientific units are on their way. In the biggest overhaul of the international system of units since its inception in 1960, a committee is set to redefine four basic units — the ampere, the kilogram, the kelvin and the mole — using relationships to fundamental constants, rather than abstract or arbitrary definitions. [Nature News] Editorial

Top Chinese University to Consider Social-Media Posts in Researcher Evaluations

One of China’s most prestigious universities plans to give some articles in newspapers and posts on major social-media outlets the same weight as peer-reviewed publications when it evaluates researchers. [Nature News] Editorial

Japanese Research Leaders Warn about National Science Decline

As Japan heads towards a national election, scientific leaders worry that the outcome will do little to address long-standing concerns about the country’s deteriorating research landscape. They say that a decline in funding and a shift away from basic research has undermined Japan’s capacity to compete against both established scientific powerhouses and emerging ones such as China. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW European CanCer Organization (ECCO) 2018: European Cancer Summit
September 7-9, 2018
Vienna, Austria

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Brain Cancer Biology (University of Copenhagen)

Scientist – Tumour Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cells (Evotec Toulouse)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Leukemia Stem Cells (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Biology (Perelman School of Medicine)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Research (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Research (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University)

Director – Stanford Cancer Institute (Stanford University)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Faculty Positions – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Sun Yat-Sen University)

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

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

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