Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 7.26 | Jul 4 2018

TOP STORY

Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cell State Equilibrium through Modulation of Redox Signaling

The authors showed that mesenchymal-like (M)- and epithelial-like (E)-breast CSCs (BCSCs) rely on distinct metabolic pathways and displayed markedly different sensitivities to inhibitors of glycolysis and redox metabolism. Metabolic or oxidative stress generated by 2DG, H₂O₂, or hypoxia promoted the transition of ROS^lo M-BCSCs to a ROS^hi E-state. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Dual Src and MEK Inhibition Decreases Ovarian Cancer Growth and Targets Tumor Initiating Stem-Like Cells

Treatment of established lines and primary ovarian cancer cultures with Src and MEK inhibitors, saracatinib and selumetinib, respectively, showed target kinase inhibition and synergistic induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro and tumor inhibition in xenografts. Gene expression and proteomic analysis confirmed cell-cycle inhibition and autophagy. Dual therapy also potently inhibited tumor-initiating cells. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Integrin α5 Down-Regulation by miR-205 Suppresses Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stemness and Metastasis by Inhibiting the Src/Vav2/Rac1 Pathway

Scientists found that miR-205 expression level was extremely low in basal mesenchymal-like highly migratory and invasive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Stably re-expressing miR-205 in TNBC cells significantly reduced their migration, invasion capability and cancer stem cell-like property. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

FHL3 Links Cell Growth and Self-Renewal by Modulating SOX4 in Glioma

Researchers showed that four and a half LIM domain protein 3 (FHL3) interacted with the Smad2/3 protein complex at the SOX4 promoter region, inhibited SOX4 transcriptional activity by recruiting PPM1A phosphatase to Smad2/3, and then suppressed glioma stem cell tumor sphere formation and self-renewal in vitro and in vivo via downregulation of SOX2 expression. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Targeting Notch1 and IKKa enhanced NF-κB activation in CD133⁺ Skin Cancer Stem Cells

Investigators developed an experimental pipeline to isolate a highly enriched CD133⁺CD31^–CD45^–CD61^–CD24^– (CD133⁺) cell population from primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma specimens by flow cytometry. Pharmacologic and genetic targeting Notch1, IKKa, RELA and RELB modulated NF-kB transactivation, the CD133⁺ population, and cellular and stemness phenotypes. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Catechol Derived from Aronia Juice through Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermentation Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell Formation via Modulation Stat3/IL-6 Signaling Pathway

Catechol inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and mammosphere formation in a dose‐dependent manner. This compound reduced the CD44^high/CD24^low subpopulation, ALDH‐expressing cell population and the self‐renewal‐related genes nanog, sox2, and oct4. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

MiR-146a Promotes the Asymmetric Division and Inhibits the Self-Renewal Ability of Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells via Indirect Upregulation of Let-7

Researchers showed that miR-146a increased the Let-7c level through degrading LIN28, and LIN28 inhibition was required for miR-146a induction of asymmetric stem cells’ division. Let-7 controlled Wnt signaling pathway activity could be strengthened due to the miR146 inhibition of H19, later of which was often activated in stem cells group with functional existence of Wnt signaling. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Curcumin Attenuates Resistance to Irinotecan via Induction of Apoptosis of Cancer Stem Cells in Chemoresistant Colon Cancer Cells

Scientists revealed that the expression levels of colon CSC markers in LoVo/irinotecan (CPT-11) cells were significantly higher compared those in parental cells at the mRNA and protein level. They also revealed that curcumin significantly attenuated chemoresistance to CPT-11, and treatment with curcumin resulted in a significant reduction of the expression levels of CSC identification markers. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

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Emerging Functional Markers for Cancer Stem Cell-Based Therapies: Understanding Signaling Networks for Targeting Metastasis

The authors report on newly uncovered signaling mechanisms controlling CSC’s aggressiveness and treatment resistance, and CSC-specific agents and molecular therapeutics, some of which are currently under investigation in clinical trials, gearing towards decisive functional CSC intrinsic or surface markers. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

Targeting Cancer Stem Cells with Dietary Phytochemical – Repositioned Drug Combinations

Investigators advocate the development of a novel approach, namely combination therapy by incorporating both phytochemicals and repositioned drugs to target CSCs. They cover select dietary phytochemicals (curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG, genistein) and repurposed drugs (metformin, niclosamide, thioridazine, chloroquine). [Cancer Lett] Abstract

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

£215 Million Research Fund to Tackle the Next Generation of Health Challenges

The government has announced £215 million investment in NHS health research and an additional £3 million for a new research leader program for nurses and midwives. [Gov.UK] Press Release

UH Cancer Center Renews NCI Designation

The University of Hawai‘i (UH) Cancer Center successfully competed for renewal of National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, and has been awarded a $6 million Cancer Center Support Grant to fund research at the Center. [University of Hawai’i Cancer Center] Press Release

LGBTQ Scientists Are Still Left Out

People who identify as LGBTQ are leaking out of the scientific pipeline in similar ways to women and those from minority ethnic groups. But many initiatives to increase diversity do not support them. Including LGBTQ people in diversity initiatives would foster their representation, and it could bring in perspectives that improve science itself. [Nature News] Editorial

Europe’s Biggest Research Fund Cracks Down on ‘Ethics Dumping’

Ethics dumping — doing research deemed unethical in a scientist’s home country in a foreign setting with laxer ethical rules — will be rooted out in research funded by the European Union, officials announced. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. Lawmakers Want NIH and CDC Foundations to Say More about Donors

A key congressional spending panel has fired a shot across the bow of two federally chartered medical foundations, warning that the way they disclose information about donors may not pass muster. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

University of Gothenburg Moves to Fire Professor for Misconduct

The University of Gothenburg has taken steps to remove Suchitra Sumitran-Holgersson from her post as a professor there, after an investigation concluded that she manipulated images in seven out of 10 papers. [The Scientist] Editorial

Hungarian Academy to Draw Up Alternative Research Budget

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is set to put forward an “alternative proposal” for the country’s research budget, after the government moved to put the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in charge of financing research institutions, seen as the latest attack on sector autonomy by the authoritarian Orbán administration. [Times Higher Education] Editorial

NEW Cancer Stem Cell Conference 2018
August 6-8, 2018
Cleveland, Ohio, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Drug Discovery & Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cells (The Francis Crick Institute)

Tenure-Track Faculty Positions – Various (The Ohio State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacogenomics (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

PhD Student – Cell Signaling (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – High Mobility Group A Proteins in Cancer, Cancer Stem Cells, and Normal Development (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

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