Pancreatic Cell News 8.13 April 4, 2017 | |
| |
TOP STORYIntracellular HMGB1 as a Novel Tumor Suppressor of Pancreatic Cancer Investigators showed that intracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) remarkably suppresses oncogenic K-Ras-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis by inhibiting chromosome instability-mediated pro-inflammatory nucleosome release. [Cell Res] Full Article | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISThe authors showed that female mice deficient in arginase-II are protected from age-associated glucose intolerance and revealed greater glucose induced-insulin release, larger islet size and β-cell mass, more proliferative and less apoptotic β-cells as compared to the age-matched wild type controls. [Diabetes] Abstract Researchers studied effects of locally derived insulin secretagogues on β cell function and glucose homeostasis using mice with α cell ablation and with α cell-specific glucagon-like peptide-1 deficiency. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) has an important role in pancreatic β-cells, and mutations of the human HNF4A gene cause a type of maturity-onset diabetes of the young. However, it remains unclear whether hypoxia affects the expression of HNF4α in β-cells. Investigators report that hypoxia reduced HNF4α protein expression in β-cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract Scientists used induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to generate glucose-responsive, insulin-producing cells (IPCs) via 3D culture. Initially, T1D iPS cells were resistant to differentiation, but transient demethylation treatment significantly enhanced IPC yield. [J Biol Chem] Abstract A Ratiometric Sensor for Imaging Insulin Secretion in Single β Cells Researchers developed a genetically encoded reporter termed RINS1 based on proinsulin superfolder GFP and mCherry fusions for monitoring insulin secretion. [Cell Chem Biol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract PANCREATIC CANCERScientists investigated connexin-assembled gap junctions as an alternative route for discharging lactate from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. [Oncogene] Full Article TGFβ Engages MEK/ERK to Differentially Regulate Benign and Malignant Pancreas Cell Function To better understand dysregulation of the TGFβ pathway, the authors first generated mouse models of neoplastic disease with TGFβ receptor deficiencies. These models displayed reduced levels of pERK irrespective of KRAS mutation. Exogenous TGFβ led to rapid and sustained TGFBR1-dependent ERK phosphorylation in benign pancreatic duct cells. [Oncogene] Full Article Using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, investigators found that specificity protein-1 (Sp1) expression was positively correlated with that of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and that the inhibition or overexpression of Sp1 in PDAC cells leads to decreased or elevated COX-2 expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article Insulin Receptor and GPCR Crosstalk Stimulates YAP via PI3K and PKD in Pancreatic Cancer Cells The authors examined the impact of crosstalk between the insulin receptor and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways on the regulation of Yes-associated Protein (YAP) localization, phosphorylation and transcriptional activity in the context of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Researchers report the establishment of a system to analyze the nature of pancreatic cancer cells using TAXIScan and they evaluated lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-elicited pancreatic cell migration. BxPC3 and PANC-1 cells clearly migrated towards the concentration gradient formed by injecting one microliter LPA, which was abrogated by pre-treatment with LPA inhibitor, Ki16425. [BMC Cancer] Full Article | |
| |
REVIEWSKey mutated driver genes, such as activating KRAS mutations, are concordantly expressed in primary and metastatic tumors. However, the biology behind the metastatic potential of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is not fully understood. Recently, large-scale omic approaches have revealed new mechanisms by which PDAC cells gain their metastatic potency. [Semin Cancer Biol] Full Article The Role of Stromal Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer The authors summarize the most recent progress made in understanding stromal formation; its contribution to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis; its role in chemoresistance; and potential therapeutic strategies on the horizon. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic fibroinflammatory disease of the pancreas that belongs to the spectrum of immunoglobulin G-subclass4-related diseases and typically presents with obstructive jaundice. Idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis (IDCP) is a closely related but distinct disease that mimics AIP radiologically but manifests clinically most commonly as recurrent acute pancreatitis in young individuals with concurrent inflammatory bowel disease. Relapses are common in AIP and relatively uncommon in IDCP, a relatively rare disease for which the natural history is not well understood. [Dig Dis Sci] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
| |
SCIENCE NEWSCBT Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented preclinical data on CBT-101, a highly specific small molecule inhibitor of c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase, demonstrating its selectivity, safety, and efficacy in suppressing tumor growth in lung, gastric, hepatic and pancreatic human primary tumor models. [Press release from CBT Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release amcure Presents Preclinical Data on Lead Cancer Compound AMC303 amcure presented in vivo and in vitro data on its lead development candidate, AMC303. The poster presentation highlighted AMC303’s unique and novel mode of action which inhibits CD44v6 and thus, signals three cancer relevant receptor tyrosine kinases, c-MET, RON and VEGFR-2. [Press release from amcure GmbH discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release Oncodesign Presents Its Latest Scientific Developments Oncodesign presented a poster on one of the more important collections of extensively characterized predictive models for pancreatic cancer in the world. [Press release from ONCODESIGN discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release Data on Verastem’s Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibitor Defactinib Presented Verastem, Inc. announced the oral presentation of data for its lead focal adhesion kinase inhibitor, defactinib, by the company’s scientific collaborator David G. DeNardo. Dr. DeNardo described data demonstrating that FAK inhibition can enable efficacy of PD-1 inhibition in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer that, like the clinical disease, are otherwise refractory to checkpoint inhibition. [Press release from Verastem, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release Novocure announced results from the second cohort of its Phase II pilot PANOVA trial studying tumor treating fields in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. [Press release from Novocure discussing research presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release BERG announced seven poster presentations showing promising preclinical data. This data reflects the impact of BERG’s leading product candidate, BPM 31510, to augment immune responses and potentially improve outcomes of patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme, pancreatic cancer, and other metabolic cancers. [Press release from BERG, LLC. discussing research to be presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR), Washington, D.C.] Press Release Mauna Kea Technologies announced the presentation of data from the National French Registry on Cellvizio® procedures confirming the strong performance of confocal laser endomicroscopy in the diagnosis of major gastrointestinal diseases as compared to histological findings. [Press release from Mauna Kea Technologies discussing research presented at the Annual French-Speaking Meeting on Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, Paris] Press Release | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSThe Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research, awarded four grants to outstanding scientists who will undertake novel pancreatic cancer research to improve patient outcomes. [Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release ERYTECH Pharma announced positive topline results from its Phase IIb clinical study evaluating its product candidate, eryaspase, in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of second-line metastatic pancreatic cancer. [Erytech Pharma] Press Release ARMO BioSciences, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the company’s international Phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate its lead investigational immuno-oncology drug AM0010 in combination with FOLFOX as second-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. [ARMO BioSciences, Inc.] Press Release Halozyme Provides Update on SWOG Collaborative Group Clinical Study Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has been informed by SWOG, an independent network of researchers that design and conduct cancer clinical trials, that the SWOG Phase Ib/II trial evaluating PEGPH20 plus modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy versus modified FOLFIRINOX alone in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreas cancer has been temporarily closed to enrollment. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSBrazilian Scientists Reeling as Federal Funds Slashed by Nearly Half Brazilian scientists have been left horrified by a 44% slash to the federal science budget, announced by the country’s government. This will leave the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications with its lowest budget in at least 12 years at just 2.8 billion reais, equivalent to US$898 million — a 2.2 billion reais cut from the five billion reais of funding that the government had originally proposed for 2017. [Nature News] Editorial Genetic Details of Controversial ‘Three-Parent Baby’ Revealed When a US fertility clinic revealed last year that it had created a baby boy using a controversial technique that mixes DNA from three people, scientists were quick to raise the alarm. Some objected on ethical grounds, and others questioned the scientific claims made by the clinic’s leader, physician John Zhang. [Nature News] Editorial Few U.S. Animal Inspections Are Being Posted The Donald Trump administration appears to have reversed its decision to remove from public sight the results of past government inspections of animal research facilities. But getting hold of new inspection reports is proving to be another matter. An animal welfare researcher has found that only four reports have been posted during the first quarter of 2017. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW GRKs and Arrestins: From Structure to Disease Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Research (Child Health Institute of New Jersey) Senior Scientist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Principle Investigator – Human Physiology and Experimental Medicine (University of Cambridge) Postdoctoral Fellow – Prostate/Pancreatic Cancer (Medical College of Wisconsin) Postdoctoral Positions – Life Sciences (Helmholtz Zentrum München) Associate Program Officer – Type 1 Diabetes (Helmsley Charitable Trust) Postdoctoral Fellows – Diabetes Research (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) Research Positions – Mouse Genetics, Diabetes and Reprogramming (Inserm) Postdoctoral Associate – Human Pancreatic Stem Cells (Nestlé) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Beta Cell Regeneration (Helmholtz Zentrum München) Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Epigenetics (Baylor Scott & White Research Institute) Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation) Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics (Dartmouth College/Geisel School of Medicine) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|
Home Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.13 | Apr 4 2017