DIABETES Chemical Screen Identifies FDA-Approved Drugs and Target Pathways that Induce Precocious Pancreatic Endocrine Differentiation Scientists conducted a chemical screen to identify compounds that would induce the differentiation of insulin-producing β-cells in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Murine Analog–Mediated B-Cell Depletion Reduces Anti-Islet Allo- and Autoimmune Responses Herein, researchers provide an extensive study of the effect of B-cell depletion in murine models of islet transplantation. [Diabetes] Abstract The Functional and Molecular Characterization of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Insulin-Positive Cells Compared with Adult Pancreatic Beta Cells Using a novel directed differentiation protocol, researchers recently generated up to 25% insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells (insulin+ cells). Insulin+ cells were examined for key features of adult beta cells using microarray, quantitative PCR, secretion assays, imaging and electrophysiology. [Diabetologia] Abstract Reduction of Both Beta Cell Death and Alpha Cell Proliferation by Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibition in a Streptozotocin-Induced Model of Diabetes in Mice Researchers assessed whether dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition suppresses the progression to hyperglycaemia in a low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, and then investigated how DPP-4 inhibition affects islet function and morphology. [Diabetologia] Abstract Autophagy Deficiency in Beta Cells Leads to Compromised Unfolded Protein Response and Progression from Obesity to Diabetes in Mice Scientists investigated the role of autophagy in unfolded protein response of pancreatic beta cells and the susceptibility of autophagy-deficient beta cells to the endoplasmic reticulum stress that is implicated in the development of diabetes. [Diabetologia] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Restricted Heterochromatin Formation Links NFATc2 Repressor Activity with Growth Promotion in Pancreatic Cancer Here, researchers demonstrate a novel pathway involving the oncogenic transcription factor NFATc2 targeting p15INK4b mediated failsafe mechanism to promote pancreatic cancer tumor growth. [Gastroenterology] Abstract Imaging Guided Trials of the Angiogenesis Inhibitor Sunitinib in Mouse Models Predict Efficacy in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine but Not Ductal Carcinoma Researchers evaluated sunitinib, an angiogenesis inhibitor that targets VEGF and PDGF receptor signaling, in two genetically engineered mouse models of pancreatic cancer. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Radiosensitization of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells by MLN4924, an Investigational NEDD8-Activating Enzyme Inhibitor In this study, researchers provide evidence that MLN4924 can be used as an effective radiosensitizer in pancreatic cancer. [Cancer Res] Abstract Proteome of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Lymph Node Metastases To better understand pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastatic spread and identify novel therapeutic targets, investigators analyzed the proteome of primary tumors and matched lymph node metastases. [J Pathol] Abstract Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Adenovirus-Mediated hING4 Gene Therapy and 125I Radiation Therapy on Pancreatic Cancer In this study, scientists demonstrated that either inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) or 125I radiotherapy treatment could induce Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cell growth suppression and apoptosis in vitro. [Cancer Lett] Abstract |