Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.49 | Dec 11 2013

A Critical Role of CD29 and CD49f in Mediating Metastasis for Cancer-Initiating Cells Isolated from a Brca1-Associated Mouse Model of Breast Cancer
The authors investigated metastatic potential of cancer stem cells (CSCs) isolated from mammary tumors of a Brca1-mutant mouse model. Their data indicated that CSCs, which are enriched in CD24⁺CD29⁺/CD49f⁺ cell population, displayed much higher migration ability than CD24^–CD29^–/CD49f^– cells in tissue culture and enhanced metastatic potential in allograft-nude mice. [Oncogene] Abstract

Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase-1 Is a Key Factor for Lung Cancer-Initiating Cells
Scientists showed both by RNA interference and through the use of a small molecule inhibitor that stearoyl-CoA desaturase is required for lung cancer spheroids propagation both in stable cell lines and in malignant pleural effusion-derived primary tumor cultures. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Cancer Stem Cell Enrichment Marker CD98: A Prognostic Factor for Survival in Patients with Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Scientists evaluated the association between the number of cancer stem cells and prognosis in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. [Eur J Cancer] Abstract

Down-Modulation of SEL1L, an Unfolded Protein Response and Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated Degradation Protein, Sensitizes Glioma Stem Cells to the Cytotoxic Effect of Valproic Acid
Researchers aimed to investigate the impact of proteostasis on glioma stem cells using valproic acid treatment combined with subversion of SEL1L, a crucial protein involved in homeostatic pathways, cancer aggressiveness and stem cell state maintenance. [J Chem Biol] Abstract

Branched Chain Amino Acid Suppresses Hepatocellular Cancer Stem Cells through the Activation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin
Investigators examined the effects of branched chain amino acid on hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressing a hepatic cancer stem cell marker, EpCAM. [PLoS One] Full Article

JNK Contributes to Temozolomide Resistance of Stem-Like Glioblastoma Cells via Regulation of MGMT Expression
Researchers identified JNK as a novel player in the control of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression and temozolomide resistance of glioblastoma cancer stem cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Role of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha Induced Autophagy in the Conversion of Non-Stem Pancreatic Cancer Cells into CD133+ Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Investigators focused on whether non-stem pancreatic cancer cells can convert to stem-like cells and the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and autophagy in modulating this conversation. [Cancer Cell Int]
Abstract | Full Article

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Jacco van Rheenen Wins STEM CELLS Young Investigator Award
Jacco van Rheenen, Ph.D., of the Hubrecht Institute in The Netherlands has been named the winner of the 8th Annual STEM CELLS Young Investigator Award for his investigation on how healthy and tumorigenic tissues are derived from and maintained by cancer stem cells, how tumor cells disseminate from primary tumors and how these disseminated tumor cells grow out in distant organs. [Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC] Press Release

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Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

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Postdoctoral Position – Apoptosis, Cancer Biology (Washington State University)

Postdoctoral Position – Skin Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position – Nervous System Development and Tumor Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell Biology (University of Cincinnati)

Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Harvard Medical School)

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