Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.16 | Apr 30 2014

PI3K and Bcl-2 Inhibition Primes Glioblastoma Cells to Apoptosis through Down-Regulation of Mcl-1 and Phospho-BAD
ABT-263 (Navitoclax), an orally available small-molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, and GDC-0941, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, were used to treat established glioblastoma and glioblastoma neurosphere cells, alone or in combination. Combination treatment abrogated the ability of stem-cell like glioma cells to form neurospheres. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

SPARC Was Overexpressed in Human Endometrial Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Promoted Migration Activity
Scientists performed microarray expression analysis to screen for up-regulated genes in cancer stem cells using a set of RK12V-side-population (SP) cells and -non-SP cells. [Gynecol Oncol] Abstract

Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy of an Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Expressing an Endostatin-Angiostatin Fusion Gene in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cell Xenografts
The use of a herpes simplex virus carrying endostatin-angiostatin as a novel therapeutic targeting strategy for glioblastoma-derived cancer stem cells was investigated. [PLoS One] Full Article

Evaluation of Cancer Stem Cell Markers CD133, CD44, CD24: Association with AKT Isoforms and Radiation Resistance in Colon Cancer Cells
Researchers assessed the connection between EGFR, CD133, CD24, and CD44 expression levels and radiation sensitivity, and furthermore analyzed the influence of AKT isoforms on the expression patterns of these markers, to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms in the cell. [PLoS One] Full Article

EZH2-Specific MicroRNA-98 Inhibits Human Ovarian Cancer Stem Cell Proliferation via Regulating the pRb-E2F Pathway
An expression plasmid of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-targeted microRNA-98 was constructed and transfected into human ovarian cancer stem cells. Seventy-two hours after transfection, cell growth was inhibited and arrested at the G₀/G₁ transition. p21^CIPI/WAF1 was up-regulated, while the CDK2/cyclin E complex and c-Myc were down-regulated. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Cell-State Transitions Regulated by SLUG Are Critical for Tissue Regeneration and Tumor Initiation
In the absence of SLUG, stem cells fail to transition into basal progenitor cells, while existing basal progenitor cells undergo luminal differentiation; together, these changes result in abnormal mammary architecture and defects in tissue function. Furthermore, scientists showed that in the absence of SLUG, mammary stem cell activity necessary for tissue regeneration and cancer initiation is lost. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article

Regulated Splicing of the a6 Integrin Cytoplasmic Domain Determines the Fate of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Researchers report that a CD44^high/CD24^low population, enriched for cancer stem cells, is comprised of distinct epithelial and mesenchymal populations that differ in expression of the two a6 cytoplasmic domain splice variants: a6A and a6B. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Hallmarks in Colorectal Cancer: Angiogenesis and Cancer Stem-Like Cells
The authors review the current knowledge regarding the molecular phenotype of colorectal cancer cancer cells, as well as discuss the mechanisms contributing to their maintenance. [World J Gastroenterol] Full Article

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OncoGenex Announces Top-Line Survival Results of Phase III SYNERGY Trial Evaluating Custirsen for Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced results from the Phase III SYNERGY trial. Top-line survival results indicate that the addition of custirsen to standard first-line docetaxel/prednisone therapy did not meet the primary endpoint of a statistically significant improvement in overall survival in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, compared to docetaxel/prednisone alone. [OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]
Press Release

Novartis Gains FDA Approval for Zykadia(TM), First Therapy for Patients with ALK+ NSCLC Previously Treated with the ALK Inhibitor Crizotinib
Novartis announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zykadia(TM) for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. [Novartis AG] Press Release

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NEW Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Development and Stem Cells (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

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Postdoctoral Research Associate – Extracellular Microenvironment in Cancer (Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center [DKFZ])

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma)

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