Dermal Cell News Volume 2.40 | Nov 14 2016

TOP STORY

FMN2 Makes Perinuclear Actin to Protect Nuclei during Confined Migration and Promote Metastasis

The authors explored the role of a focal adhesion (FA)-associated formin, FMN2, in FA function and cell migration in two dimensional surfaces and three dimensional microenvironments. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Epidermal-Specific Deletion of CD44 Reveals a Function in Keratinocytes in Response to Mechanical Stress

Researchers engineered a Cd44 floxed allele which when combined with Cre eliminates an essential constant exon and thereby all CD44 isoforms. Using this novel allele, they investigated the role of CD44 in the skin. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

VEGF Released by Deferoxamine Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on Collagen-GAG Substrates Enhances Neovascularization

Investigators compared the wound healing capabilities of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded on a collagen-glycosaminoglycan dermal substrate exposed to either environmental hypoxia or FDA approved deferoxamine mesylate to stabilize HIF-1α for wound healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Neurokinin-1 Receptor Is a Novel Positive Regulator of Wnt/ β-Catenin Signaling in Melanogenesis

Scientists demonstrated, using a neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist L-733060 and a NK-1R agonist [Sar⁹, Met(O₂)¹¹] substance P, to evaluate the effects of NK-1R on Wnt/β-catenin in the human primary melanocytes and C57BL/6J mice. [Oncotarget] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Pharmacological Inhibition of Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor Pathway Blocks Lung Metastases of RhoC Overexpressing Melanoma

Investigators highlight a role for Rho and myocardin-related transcription factor signaling and its reversal by pharmacologic inhibition using in vitro and in vivo models of human melanoma growth and metastasis. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

FANCD2 Functions as a Critical Factor Downstream of MiTF to Maintain the Proliferation and Survival of Melanoma Cells

Researchers showed that a fully proficient FANC pathway is a key determinant for melanomagenesis ensuring the high proliferation and migration capabilities that characterize melanomas overexpressing the transcription factor microphthalmia. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mutational Activation of BRAF Confers Sensitivity to Transforming Growth Factor Beta Inhibitors in Human Cancer Cells

Investigators showed that mutant BRAFV600E confers an intrinsic dependence on TGFβ/TGFβ receptor 1 signaling for clonogenicity of murine melanocytes. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Enhanced Chemoprevention by the Combined Treatment of Pterostilbene and Lupeol in B[a]P-Induced Mouse Skin Tumorigenesis

The authors evaluated the inhibitory effect of the combination of two phytochemicals; pterostilbene and lupeol (generally obtained from blue berries, grapes, white cabbage, green pepper, olive and mangoes) on mouse skin tumorigenesis. [Food Chem Toxicol] Abstract

Anticancer Effects of Ixeris dentata (Thunb. Ex Thunb.) Nakai Extract on Human Melanoma Cells A375P and A375SM

Scientists investigated the potential anticancer effects of Taraxacum coreanum, Youngia sonchifolia, and Ixeris dentata extracts on human melanoma cells and explored the potential pharmacological mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. [J Ethnopharmacol] Abstract

Skin-Derived Stem Cells as a Source of Primordial Germ Cell- and Oocyte-Like Cells

The authors discuss the origin and characteristics of skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) from which the germ cell-like cells (GCLC) are derived, the possible mechanisms of this differentiation process, and finally the prospective biomedical applications of the SDSC-derived GCLCs. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

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

Samumed, LLC Presents Data for Small Molecule Modulator of Wnt Pathway as a Potential Topical Treatment for Scleroderma

Samumed announced preclinical results from in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the use of its small molecule compound SM04755 as a potential topical treatment for scleroderma. [Press release from Samumed, LLC discussing research presented at 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release | Poster Presentation

Castle Biosciences Announces Data Presentations with Gene Expression Profile Tests for Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma

Castle Biosciences, Inc. announced results from studies evaluating clinical experience with gene expression profile tests DecisionDx^®-Melanoma and DecisionDx^®-UM. [Press release from Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2016 Annual Meeting, Charlotte] Press Release

OncoSec Presents Positive Interim Response Data

OncoSec Medical Incorporated presented new clinical data from a Phase II Investigator Sponsored Trial led by the University of California, San Francisco. This single-arm, open-label trial assessed the combination of OncoSec’s investigational intratumoral therapy, ImmunoPulse^® IL-12, and Merck’s KEYTRUDA^® in patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma. [Press release from OncoSec Medical Incorporated (PR Newswire Association LLC) discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting, National Harbor] Press Release

Nektar Therapeutics Presents New Clinical Data from Ongoing Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of NKTR-214

Nektar Therapeutics presented interim results from the ongoing Phase I dose-escalation, first-in-human, trial of single-agent NKTR-214 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder, colorectal and other solid tumor cancers. [Nektar Therapeutics discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2016 Annual Meeting, National Harbor] Press Release

COLUMBUS Phase III Study Results in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma

Array BioPharma and Pierre Fabre announced new results from the pivotal Phase III COLUMBUS trial of binimetinib plus encorafenib treatment in BRAF-mutant melanoma patients. [Press release from Array BioPharma discussing research presented at the 13^th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research, Boston] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Infinity Pharmaceuticals Announce Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate Opdivo in Combination with IPI-549 in Advanced Solid Tumors

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo in combination with Infinity’s IPI-549 in patients with advanced solid tumors. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Phase I/II Data Combining Urelumab with Opdivo in Hematologic and Solid Tumors Suggest Increased Antitumor Effect in Patients with Melanoma

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced safety and efficacy data from a Phase I/II study of urelumab in combination with Opdivo in patients with hematologic and solid tumors, including biomarker analyses by level of PD-L1 expression. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

AbbVie’s HUMIRA^® (Adalimumab) Receives CHMP Positive Opinion to Treat Adolescents with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease

AbbVie announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products (CHMP) for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has granted a positive opinion for HUMIRA^® for the treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adolescents from 12 years of age with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

Disgraced Stem-Cell Entrepreneur Under Fresh Investigation

Public prosecutors in Turin, Italy, are investigating whether disgraced stem-cell entrepreneur Davide Vannoni — convicted on criminal charges last year for administering unproven stem-cell therapies in Italy — is offering his treatments again, this time in eastern Europe. [Nature News] Editorial

The Ultimate Experiment: How Trump Will Handle Science

The long campaign for the White House is over — but incoming US president Donald Trump’s work is just starting. With just two months before his inauguration on 20 January, he and his staff are busy vetting candidates for top government jobs and clarifying the agenda for his first few months in office. [Nature News] Editorial

Embryonic Stem Cells and Fetal Tissue Research—Will Trump Intervene?

Of all the materials valued in biomedical research, embryonic stem (ES) cells and fetal tissue have gotten disproportionate attention from politicians. Because creating ES cell lines initially requires destroying a human embryo, President George W. Bush tightly restricted the use of federal funds for research on all but a few stem cell lines. President Barack Obama then made lifting those restrictions one of his first official actions after he took office in 2009. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW 29^th Lorne Cancer Conference
February 9-11, 2017
Lorne, Australia

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

NEW Professorship Position – Dermatology (Medical University of Vienna)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Epithelial Tissue Development (University of California – San Diego)

Professor – Dermatology (Medical University of Vienna)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pathology (Stony Brook University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Regenerative Medicine (The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – 3D Bioprinting (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunobiology of Stromal Cells (Institut Pasteur)

Clinical Trials Fellow – Dermatology (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Scientific Director – Global Medical Affairs (Celgene Corporation)

Pluripotent Stem Cell Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship – Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer Biology (The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine)

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