Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 7.10 | Mar 14 2018

TOP STORY

MYC-Driven Epigenetic Reprogramming Favors the Onset of Tumorigenesis by Inducing a Stem Cell-Like State

Scientists report that MYC acts as tumor reprogramming factor in mammary epithelial cells by inducing an alternative epigenetic program, which triggers loss of cell identity and activation of oncogenic pathways. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

PAF-Myc-Controlled Cell Stemness Is Required for Intestinal Regeneration and Tumorigenesis

Investigators found that PCNA-associated factor (PAF) is expressed in intestinal stem and progenitor cells and markedly upregulated during intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Tissue Transglutaminase Regulates Interactions between Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Niche

The authors hypothesized that interactions with the extracellular matrix drive CSC proliferation and tumor-initiating capacity and investigated the functions of scaffold protein tissue transglutaminase in ovarian CSC. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Tight Junction Protein Claudin-2 Promotes Self-Renewal of Human Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Researchers report that elevated claudin-2 expression in stage II/III colorectal tumors is associated with poor recurrence-free survival following 5-FU-based chemotherapy, an outcome in which CSC play an instrumental role. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment Confers Highly Malignant Properties on Pancreatic Cancer Cells

3P cells specifically exhibited low E-cadherin expression and high invasiveness, suggesting that they were endowed with the highest malignant characteristics. RNA-sequence analysis demonstrated that distinct signaling pathways were activated in each cell line and that the 3P cells acquired a cancer stem cell-like phenotype. [Oncogene] Full Article

DAX1 Promotes Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Tumorigenicity through Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway via GSK3β

The effects of DAX1 silencing on the cell growth, tumor formation, and CSC characteristics were investigated. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment In Vivo Selects the Cancer Stem Cell Fate of Breast Cancer Cells

Scientists found that hypoxic tumor cells freshly isolated from xenografts contain increased subpopulations of tumor cells with CSC-like characteristics. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract

Inhibition of CREB Binding Protein-Beta-Catenin Signaling Down Regulates CD133 Expression and Activates PP2A-PTEN Signaling in Tumor Initiating Liver Cancer Cells

Researchers investigated the role of CREB binding protein (CBP)-beta-catenin signaling on the expression of CD133, a known stem cell antigen and PP2A-PTEN pathway in tumor initiating liver cancer cells. [Cell Commun Signal] Abstract

BRAF and EGFR Inhibitors Synergize to Increase Cytotoxic Effects and Decrease Stem Cell Capacities in BRAF(V600E)-Mutant Colorectal Cancer Cells

Investigators explored the effect of combined use of dabrafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, and cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, on BRAF(V600E)-mutant CRC stem cells and its possible mechanisms. [Acta Biochim Biophys Sin] Abstract

Glioblastoma-Activated Pericytes Support Tumor Growth via Immunosuppression

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, with an extremely poor prognosis. The lack of detailed knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in glioblastoma development restricts the design of efficient therapies. [Cancer Med] Abstract

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

Boehringer Ingelheim and Vanderbilt University Expand Partnership to Develop Novel Treatment Approaches for Cancer

Boehringer Ingelheim and Vanderbilt University announced the expansion of their successful existing collaboration to develop novel anti-cancer compounds. The expanded research partnership will focus on the discovery and development of new chemical therapeutics targeting the pro-survival protein MCL1 as a potential therapy against MCL1-dependent cancers. [Vanderbilt University] Press Release

VBL Therapeutics Announces Top-Line Results from Pivotal Phase III GLOBE Study in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma

VBL Therapeutics reported top-line results from its pivotal Phase III GLOBE study in patients with recurrent glioblastoma which was designed to evaluate VB-111 in combination with bevacizumab compared to the bevacizumab control arm. The study did not meet its pre-specified primary endpoint of overall survival. [VBL Therapeutics (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

GlycoMimetics Announces Design of Phase III Clinical Trial for GMI-1271 in Relapsed/Refractory AML

GlycoMimetics, Inc. announced its design for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial to evaluate GMI-1271 in combination with mitoxantrone, etoposide and Ara-C, or in combination with fludarabine, cytosine arabinoside and idarubicin in individuals with relapsed/refractory AML. [GlycoMimetics, Inc.] Press Release

Scientists Beware: The Price Is High, the Payoff Uncertain at Glossy Publications Aimed at Europe’s Decision-Makers

Van der Heyden isn’t the only European researcher to get a hard sell from Pan European Networks, a six-year-old publishing company with offices in Congleton, U.K., and Brussels that promises to provide opportunities for “leading figures from across Europe” to get attention for their work or ideas. Many other scientists had similar experiences, Van der Heyden discovered when he started poking around on blogs and Twitter, including the promise of attention from decision-makers and the warning about the imminent board meeting. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

‘Right-to-Try’ Bill Rejected by House, in Major Blow to GOP Efforts

In a major blow to the effort to pass a federal “right-to-try” law, House Republicans failed to muster the votes to pass a key compromise measure. [STAT News] Editorial

Springer Nature and VSNU Renew Agreement on Open Access Publishing

Springer Nature and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) have renewed their agreement to secure open access publishing for Dutch universities up to 2021. [The Association of Universities in the Netherlands] Editorial

Science ‘Champion’ Dan Lipinski Faces Tough Race in Illinois Primary

Representative Daniel Lipinski—an anti-abortion Democrat who voted against the Affordable Care Act and who only recently has embraced a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants—knows that he’s out of step with progressives on many social issues. Lipinski will find out whether voters in Illinois’s third congressional district on Chicago’s southwest side feel there’s still room for him in the Democratic Party. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 6^th Cambridge International Stem Cell Symposium
September 19-21, 2018
Cambridge, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Leukemia and Cancer Biology (Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cell and Molecular Biology (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Bioinformatician/Senior Bioinformatician – Cancer Research (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

Assistant/Associate Investigator/Professor – Gastrointestinal Cancers (Baylor Scott & White Research Institute)

Senior Bioinformatician – Cancer Research (Children´s Cancer Research Institute)

PhD Program – Cellular Biology (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center)

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

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