Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 8.34 | Sep 4 2019

TOP STORY

Cancer Cells ‘Corrupt’ Their Healthy Neighbors

The healthy cells immediately surrounding a tumor become more stem cell-like and support cancer growth. The discovery was made using a new state-of-the-art technique developed by researchers in Ilaria Malanchi’s lab at the Francis Crick Institute in order to study the tissue around a tumor – called the tumor microenvironment – known to influence the growth and spread of cancer, as well as treatment response. [Press release from The Francis Crick Institute discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Single-Cell Transcriptomics in Medulloblastoma Reveals Tumor-Initiating Progenitors and Oncogenic Cascades during Tumorigenesis and Relapse

Utilizing single-cell transcriptomic analysis, researchers demonstrated a developmental hierarchy of progenitor pools in Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastomas, and identified OLIG2-expressing glial progenitors as transit-amplifying cells at the tumorigenic onset. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Genome-Wide RNAi Screen Reveals Essential Therapeutic Targets of Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Scientists carried out a genome-wide RNA interference screen to identify genes that regulated breast CSCs-fate (bCSC). Using an interactome/regulome analysis, they integrated screen results in a functional mapping of the CSC-related processes. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Glioblastoma Tumors, BTICs, and Xenografts Reveals Stability and Adaptation to Growth Environments

Investigators used massively parallel sequencing technology to decode the genomes and transcriptomes of brain tumor-initiating cells and xenografts and their matched tumors in order to delineate the potential impacts of distinct growth environments. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The Role of MicroRNA-148a and Downstream DLGAP1 on the Molecular Regulation and Tumor Progression on Human Glioblastoma

The authors showed that miR-148a promoted the proliferation and growth of glioblastoma (GBM) cells both in vitro and in vivo, and also induced the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition program of GBM cells by directly targeting DLGAP1. [Oncogene] Full Article

TGLI1 Transcription Factor Mediates Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis via Activating Metastasis-Initiating Cancer Stem Cells and Astrocytes in the Tumor Microenvironment

Immunohistochemical staining showed that truncated glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (TGLI1), but not GLI1, was increased in lymph node metastases compared to matched primary tumors, and that TGLI1 was expressed at higher levels in breast cancer brain metastasis specimens compared to primary tumors. [Oncogene] Abstract

NCAM1/FGF Module Serves as a Putative Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Therapeutic Target

Scientists showed that in contrast with in-vitro culture, establishment of pleuropulmonary blastomapatient-derived xenograft in NOD-SCID mice selected for highly proliferating progenitor blastoma overexpressing critical regulators of lung development and multiple imprinted genes. [Oncogenesis] Abstract

Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit Pancreatic Tumor Growth Primarily by Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells

Researchers demonstrated that copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were cytotoxic against tumor initiating cell (TIC)-enriched PANC1 human pancreatic cancer cell cultures. Specifically, treatment with CuO-NPs decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in TIC-enriched PANC1 cultures to a greater extent than in standard PANC1 cultures. [Sci Rep] Full Article

OCT4B1 Promoted EMT and Regulated the Self-Renewal of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in Colorectal Cancer: Effects Associated with the Balance of miR-8064/PLK1

3D microspheres were confirmed as colorectal cancer stem cells. Compared with that of parental cells, their self-renewal ability was significantly increased, and OCT4B1 expression was increased and promoted the EMT process. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Full Article

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SOX2 Protein Biochemistry in Stemness, Reprogramming, and Cancer: The PI3K/AKT/SOX2 Axis and Beyond

The authors provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on SOX2 protein modifications, their proposed relationship to the PI3K/AKT pathway, and regulatory influence on SOX2 with regards to stemness, reprogramming, and cancer. [Oncogene] Full Article

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

BioXcel Therapeutics Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for BXCL701 for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for BXCL701, an investigational orally-available systemic innate immunity activator with dual mechanisms of action, for the treatment of AML. [BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Forty Seven, Inc. Granted Fast Track Designation for Magrolimab (5F9) for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Forty Seven, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to magrolimab (formerly known as 5F9) for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. [Forty Seven, Inc.] Press Release

Promising Results for New CAR T-Cell Therapy for Leukemia

A clinical trial to investigate a novel CAR T-cell therapy developed at University College London Cancer Institute – which is designed to target cancer cells more quickly and cause less side effects – has shown very promising results for children with previously incurable acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [University College London] Press Release

Foreign Interference under the Spotlight at Australian Universities

The Australian government says it will establish an expert committee to detect and respond to cyberattacks, intellectual-property theft and other strikes against universities by foreign governments or groups. The move comes amid growing concerns from some politicians and academics about foreign influence at Australian campuses. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA Says Widening Probe on Generic Drug Impurities

The FDA said on the 28^th of August it was expanding its investigation into impurities in US generic drugs beyond a class of medicines for high blood pressure known as angiotensin II receptor blockers. The agency did not specify which types of additional drugs it was looking at, but said it was testing samples of other medicines with similar manufacturing processes to those in which concerning impurities have been discovered. [Reuters] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Hematopoiesis
April 3-7, 2019
Big Sky, Montana, United States

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

NEW Faculty Position – Stem Cell Research (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cells and Cancer (IRB Barcelona)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Progression (NIH/NCI – Center for Cancer Research)

Associate Professor – Immunology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Cancer and Leukemia (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Leukemic Stem Cell Biology (McGill University Health Centre)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma (The Institut Curie Research Center)

Postdoctoral Associate – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia (The Jackson Laboratory)

Research Scientist – Leukemia Stem/Progenitor Cell Research (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Research Lab Specialist – Tumor Microenvironment & Cell Behavior (University of Southern California)

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