Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.21 | May 31 2016

TOP STORY

Cyst Fluid Telomerase Activity Predicts the Histologic Grade of Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas

Since telomerase activity is commonly activated in malignant cells, researchers evaluated the diagnostic performance of cyst fluid telomerase activity measurements for predicting histologic grade. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

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DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Trimer Procyanidin Oligomers Contribute to the Protective Effects of Cinnamon Extracts on Pancreatic β-Cells In Vitro

The aim of this study was to identify the active compounds in extracts from two species of cinnamon responsible for pancreatic β-cell protection in vitro. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Enhanced Differentiation of Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells In Vitro

The authors investigated the ability of human amniotic fluid stem cells to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. [J Diabetes Investig] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

MicroRNAs for Detection of Pancreatic Neoplasia: Biomarker Discovery by Next-Generation Sequencing and Validation in Two Independent Cohorts

The authors aimed to analyze the miRNome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its preneoplastic lesion intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, to find new microRNA (miRNA)-based biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic neoplasia. [Ann Surg] Abstract

Anti-Stromal Treatment Together with Chemotherapy Targets Multiple Signaling Pathways in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Investigators postulated that the addition of stromal therapy may enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapy. Gemcitabine and all-trans retinoic acid were combined in a clinically applicable regimen, to target cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells respectively, in 3D organotypic culture models and genetically engineered mice representing the spectrum of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [J Pathol] Full Article | Press Release

Regulation of the Nampt-Mediated NAD Salvage Pathway and Its Therapeutic Implications in Pancreatic Cancer

Scientists showed that the expression of Nampt, the rate-limiting enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) salvage pathway, was significantly increased in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells and PDAC tissues. Additionally, inhibition of Nampt impaired tumor growth in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, which was accompanied by a decreased cellular NAD level and glycolytic activity. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Small Molecule APY606 Displays Extensive Antitumor Activity in Pancreatic Cancer via Impairing Ras-MAPK Signaling

Investigators assessed the antitumor activity of APY606 against human pancreatic cancer Capan-1 and SW1990 cell lines and explored the effect of Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and apoptosis-related signaling pathway on the activity of APY606. [PLoS One] Full Article

MiR-221 Promotes Capan-2 Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells Proliferation by Targeting PTEN-Akt

Overexpressing miR-221 significantly increased cell vitality and promoted cell proliferation and G1-to-S phase transition of the cell cycle in Capan-2 cells, while inhibition of miR-221 decreased that. The protein level of PTEN in Capan-2 cells was downregulated by overexpressing miR-221, while upregulated by inhibiting miR-221. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Mast Cell Tryptase Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Growth through Promoting Angiogenesis via Activation of Angiopoietin-1

Researchers examined the mast cell tryptase (MCT) levels in serum from pancreatic cancer patients and evaluated the correlation of the MCT level and tumor angiogenesis. In addition, the effect of MCT on endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation was investigated both in vitro and in nude mice bearing pancreatic tumor. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Evidence for the Role of MicroRNA 374b in Acquired Cisplatin Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

To evaluate the potential contribution of miRNAs in acquired resistance to cisplatin in pancreatic cancer, investigators compared levels of more than 2000 human miRNAs in a cisplatin-resistant cell line (BxPC3-R) derived from parental (BxPC3) cells by step-wise exposure to increasing concentrations of the drug over more than 20 passages. [Cancer Gene Ther] Full Article | Press Release

The Potential of Endurance Exercise-Derived Exosomes to Treat Metabolic Diseases

The reviewers propose that the systemic benefits of exercise are modulated by exosomes and/or microvesicles functioning in an autocrine, paracrine and/or endocrine manner. Furthermore, they posit that native or modified exosomes, and/or microvesicles enriched with exerkines will have therapeutic utility in the treatment of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. [Nat Rev Endocrinol] Abstract

The miRacle in Pancreatic Cancer by miRNAs: Tiny Angels or Devils in Disease Progression

The possibility of intervention in the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs regulation could begin a new generation of PDAC therapies. This review summarizes the reports describing miRNAs involvement in cellular processes involving pancreatic carcinogenesis and their utility in diagnosis, survival and therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

Dialing Up Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer with Ultrasound

Researchers have combined a laboratory ultrasound technique called “sonoporation” with the commercially-available chemotherapy compound Gemcitabine to increase the porosity of pancreatic cells with microbubbles and to help get the drug into cancer cells where it is needed. [Press release from the Acoustal Society of America (ASA) discussing research presented at ASA’s 171^st Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City] Press Release

Chemo, Radiation, Surgery Combo Boosts Survival for Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Veins Involved

In roughly one-third of pancreatic cancer patients, tumors have grown around the pancreas to encompass critical blood vessels. Conventional wisdom has long held that surgery to remove the tumors is rarely an option, and life expectancies are usually measured in months. Doctors found that many of these patients actually are candidates for surgery. [Press release from Mayo Clinic discussing research presented at the Pancreas Club 50^th Annual Meeting and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) 57^th Annual Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

U.S. FDA Approves Once-Daily Jentadueto^® XR (Linagliptin and Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release) Tablets for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jentadueto^® XR tablets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. [Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

Positive CHMP Opinion in EU for Saxa/Dapa (Saxagliptin and Dapagliflozin) for Adults with Type-2 Diabetes

AstraZeneca announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion, recommending the approval of saxa/dapa tablets for the treatment of adults with type-2 diabetes. [AstraZeneca] Press Release

NEW Gordon Research Conference – Tissue Niches & Resident Stem Cells in Adult Epithelia
August 7-12, 2016
Hong Kong, China

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Pathophysiology of Adipose Tissue in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro)

PhD Studentship – Molecular and Translational Aspects of Pancreatic Cancer (German Cancer Research Center)

Research Associate – Pancreatic Cancer Pharmacology (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Quantitative Hepato-Pancreatic MR Imaging (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome (Northwestern University)

Associate Senior Lecturer – Medical Cell Biology or Physiology (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

PhD Studentship – Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow(s) – Pancreatic Islet Biology (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Somatic Stem Cell Biology of Liver/Pancreas (The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreas Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (University of North Dakota)

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