Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 7.17 | May 2 2018

TOP STORY

De Novo Activating Mutations Drive Clonal Evolution and Enhance Clonal Fitness in KMT2A-Rearranged Leukemia

Researchers showed that one such factor, MIF, promotes survival of mouse KMT2A-MLLT3 leukemia initiating cells. They identified acquired de novo mutations in Braf, Cbl, Kras, and Ptpn11 in KMT2A-MLLT3 leukemia cells that favored clonal expansion. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Low-Level Shear Stress Promotes Migration of Liver Cancer Stem Cells via the FAK-ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

Scientists studied the effects of shear stress that are generated from a parallel plated flow chamber system, on liver cancer stem cell migration and the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), using transwell assay and western blot, respectively. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Activation of AhR with Nuclear IKKα Regulates Cancer Stem-Like Properties in the Occurrence of Radioresistance

Investigators demonstrated that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a vital role in the maintenance of cancer stem-like properties. AhR promotes the cancer stem-like phenotype and drives metastasis by directly targeting the promoters of ‘stemness’ genes, such as the ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 gene. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

HOXD3 Plays a Critical Role in Breast Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance

Investigators explored the role that homeobox D3 (HOXD3) plays in the stem-like capacity, or stemness, and drug resistance of breast cancer cells. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

JIB-04, A Small Molecule Histone Demethylase Inhibitor, Selectively Targets Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells by Inhibiting the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Scientists showed that JIB-04, a pan-selective inhibitor of histone demethylase(s), was identified as a small molecule that selectively target colorectal CSCs. They showed that JIB-04 is capable of reducing self-renewal and stemness of colorectal CSCs in three different colorectal cancer cell lines. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Putative Cancer Stem Cells May Be the Key Target to Inhibit Cancer Cell Repopulation between the Intervals of Chemoradiation in Murine Mesothelioma

Researchers demonstrated the role of mesothelioma stem cells (MSC) in treatment failure and eventually to design specific target therapies against MSC to improve the efficacy of treatment in malignant mesothelioma. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Activation of M2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors by a Hybrid Agonist Enhances Cytotoxic Effects in GB7 Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers investigated the effects mediated by hybrid muscarinic agonists P-6-Iper and N-8-Iper on glioblastoma cancer stem cell survival. At variance with arecaidine propargyl ester, the agonist N-8-Iper inhibited cell growth in a dose dependent manner and also impaired cell survival at low doses. [Neurochem Int] Abstract

Ovatodiolide Suppresses Yes-Associated Protein 1-Modulated Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes in Highly Malignant Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy In Vitro

Scientists found YAP1 was significantly expressed in the side population (SP) cells, as well as in generated hepatospheres compared to non-SP or parental HCC cells, at transcript and/or protein levels. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Glycine and Succinic Acid Are Effective Indicators of the Suppression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Fucoxanthinol in Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Investigators aimed to clarify the inhibitory activity of fucoxanthinol (FxOH) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is essential for cancer recurrence and distant metastasis, and to identify intracellular low-molecular-weight metabolites that may be useful for evaluating the cellular effects of FxOH on colorectal CSCs. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Nodal Induced by Hypoxia Exposure Contributes to Dacarbazine Resistance and the Maintenance of Stemness in Melanoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells

The authors explored the effects of hypoxia exposure, which is one of the main causes of chemoresistance in melanoma, on the physiological processes of melanoma CSCs via regulating Nodal. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Signaling Mechanism(s) of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Therapeutic Resistance

The authors discuss epithelial-mesenchymal transition and CSCs in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, with a special focus on the common characteristics and relationships between these processes, to explore the crucial relationships in the development of improved anti-tumor therapies. [Clin Chim Acta] Abstract

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

Medicenna Amends Protocol of Phase IIb Recurrent Glioblastoma Study of MDNA55 in Response to Strong Safety Data and Early Efficacy Read-Outs

Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. announced that half the patients in the ongoing Phase IIb study of MDNA55 in recurrent glioblastoma have been recruited and the data to date demonstrate solid safety results and early signals of efficacy based on the findings of the Safety Review and Clinical Advisory Committees, comprised of key opinion leaders and study investigators. [Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.] Press Release

Cellectis Files IND for UCART22 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Cellectis announced that the company has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA requesting approval to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for UCART22, Cellectis’ second wholly controlled TALEN^® gene-edited product candidate, for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adult patients. [Cellectis] Press Release

Accused Cancer Scientist Resigns as Editor of Prestigious Journal

Inder Verma, the prominent cancer scientist and geneticist who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, resigned yesterday as editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a prestigious academic journal. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists Alarmed by Report White House May Tighten Limits on Chinese Researchers in U.S.

One of the nation’s leading scientific organizations expressed alarm about a report that the White House is considering imposing further limits on research by Chinese citizens in the United States, saying that “scientific progress depends on openness, transparency, and the free flow of ideas.” [STAT News] Editorial

Prominent Cell Biologist Fired after Data Manipulation Investigation

A University of Tokyo scientist known for his work on cell division has been fired, Retraction Watch reports. The university announced the “disciplinary dismissal” in a statement. [The Scientist] Editorial

Miracle Cures or Modern Quackery? Stem Cell Clinics Multiply, with Heartbreaking Results for Some Patients

No one tracks how many injuries have occurred from unproven, direct-to-consumer treatments. Such cases have become public in recent years only when doctors write about them in medical journals or patients file lawsuits. [The Washington Post] Editorial

NEW 2018 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference
November 4-6, 2018
Glasgow, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioma Epigenetics and Signaling (NYU School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Research (Institute for Research in Biomedicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Stem Cells (University of New South Wales)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Research (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Professor – Cancer Stem Cell Research (Cardiff University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Research Scientist – Gynecologic Cancers (The UCLA G.O. Discovery Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Phylogenetics (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Breast Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

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

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

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