Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.34 | Aug 28 2013

Nuclear Reprogramming of Luminal-Like Breast Cancer Cells Generates Sox2-Overexpressing Cancer Stem-Like Cellular States Harboring Transcriptional Activation of the mTOR Pathway
Researchers used Yamanaka’s stem cell technology in an attempt to create stable cancer stem cell (CSC) research lines in which to dissect the transcriptional control of mTOR – the master switch of cellular catabolism and anabolism – in CSC-like states. [Cell Cycle] Full Article

Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells Are Enriched in Side Population and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Bright Overlapping Population
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) of ovarian cancer have been isolated by side population (SP) analysis, ALDEFLUOR assay and using cell surface markers. However, these approaches are not definitive markers for CSCs/CICs, and it is necessary to refine recent methods for identifying more highly purified CSCs/CICs. Investigators analyzed SP cells and aldehyde dehydrogenese bright cells from ovarian cancer cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

DEAD/H (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp/His) Box Polypeptide 3, X-Linked Is an Immunogenic Target of Cancer Stem Cells
The authors previously reported that vaccination with CD133⁺ murine melanoma cells exhibiting biological cancer stem cell (CSC) features induced CSC-specific effector T cells. These were capable of eradicating CD133⁺ tumor cells in vivo, thereby curing the parental tumor. They indicate that DEAD/H (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp/His) box polypeptide 3, X-linked is an immunogenic protein preferentially expressed in CD133⁺ tumor cells. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract

Brefeldin A Effectively Inhibits Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties and MMP-9 Activity in Human Colorectal Cancer Colo 205 Cells
Brefeldin A (BFA) is an antibiotic that is known to block protein transport and induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in eukaryotic cells, but its effects on colorectal cancer stem cells are unknown. Researchers investigated the inhibitory effect of BFA on human colorectal cancer Colo 205 cells. [Molecules]
Abstract | Full Article

8-Bromo-5-Hydroxy-7-Methoxychrysin Targeting for Inhibition of the Properties of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by Modulation of Twist Signaling
Investigators isolated and characterized a small population of CD133+ cells that existed in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 by MACS and investigated the possible roles of 8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin, a synthetic analogue of chrysin, in inhibiting the properties of CD133+ sphere-forming cells derived from the HCC cell line SMMC-7721, namely liver cancer stem cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Ribophorin II Regulates Breast Tumor Initiation and Metastasis through the Functional Suppression of GSK3β
Scientists showed that ribophorin II (RPN2) regulates cancer stem cell properties through the stabilization of mtp53 (R280K and del126-133) in breast cancer. RPN2 stabilized mtp53 by inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) which suppresses Snail, a master regulator of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Mayo Clinic to Open Stem Cell Laboratory in Phoenix
Mayo Clinic in Arizona will open its own stem cell laboratory in summer 2014. The laboratory will be initially dedicated to storing and processing stem cells used for bone marrow transplants at Mayo Clinic Hospital and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. [Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacogenomics (Biotech Research & Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen)

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Tenure-Track Position – Cell Biologist (McGill University)

Postdoctoral Appointee – Cell Cycle Regulation in Tumor Stem Cells (Rutgers University, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Research Technician – Self-Renewal of Cancer Stem Cells (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Bases of Cancer Initiation and Progression (New York University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University)

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