Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.10 | Mar 13 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Sox2 Cooperates with Inflammation-Mediated Stat3 Activation in the Malignant Transformation of Foregut Basal Progenitor Cells
Scientists used mouse genetic models to reveal a mechanism by which Sox2 cooperates with microenvironmental signals to malignantly transform epithelial progenitor cells. Their findings indicated that basal stem/progenitor cells are the cells of origin of squamous carcinoma and that cooperation between Sox2 and microenvironment-activated Stat3 is required for Sox2-driven tumorigenesis. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Differential Expression Profiles of Glycosphingolipids in Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells vs. Cancer Non-Stem Cells
Researchers analyzed glycosphingolipids expressed in human breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) by applying a CSC model induced through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, using mass spectrometry, TLC immunostaining, and cell staining. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Canonical and Non-Canonical NF-κB Signaling Promotes Breast Cancer Tumor-Initiating Cells
Investigators explored the potential involvement of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family of transcription factors in tumor-initiating cells in cell lines that are representative of basal-like and claudin-low breast cancer. [Oncogene] Abstract

An Endogenous Inhibitor of Angiogenesis Inversely Correlates with Side Population Phenotype and Function in Human Lung Cancer Cells
The side population (SP) in human lung cancer cell lines and tumors is enriched with cancer stem cells. Here researchers examined the hypothesis that tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 antitumor activity may involve regulation of the SP in human lung cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Estrogen Increases the Activity of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells through Paracrine EGFR and Notch Signaling
Scientists tested the effects of estrogen on cancer stem cell activity in vitro and in vivo and investigated which paracrine signaling pathways locally mediate estrogen effects. [Breast Cancer Res]
Abstract | Full Article

Identification and Characterization of Cells with Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Human Primary Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Results indicated that CD44^highCD90⁺ sub-population may represent cancer stem cells (CSCs) in small cell lung cancer and large cell carcinoma, whereas in squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer subtype, CSC potentials were found within the CD44^high sub-population. [PLoS One] Full Article

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) Plays a Key Role in Vasculogenic Mimicry Formation, Neovascularization and Tumor Initiation by Glioma Stem-Like Cells
The authors report a critical role of glioma stem-like cells (GSLCs) in the formation of vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which defines channels lined by tumor cells to supply nutrients to early growing tumors and tumor initiation. GSLCs preferentially expressed VEGFR-2 that upon activation by VEGF, mediated chemotaxis, tubule formation and increased expression of critical VM markers by GSLCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells: Triggers for Tumor Capsule Disruption and Tumor Progression?
Aberrant immune cell infiltration may have the same destructive impact on the capsule of all epithelium-derived tumors. This, in turn, may selectively favor the proliferation of tumor stem or progenitor cells overlying these focal disruptions. These proliferating epithelial tumor cells subsequently disseminate from the focal disruption leading to tumor invasion and metastasis. [Int J Med Sci] Full Article

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Therapeutic OMP-52M51 (Anti-Notch1) in Solid Tumors
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that patient dosing has begun in a Phase I clinical trial of OMP-52M51 in patients with advanced, refractory solid tumors. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Roche Obtains EU Approval for PERJETA, a New Personalized Treatment for Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer
Roche announced that the European Medicines Agency has approved PERJETA for patients with previously untreated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. PERJETA is approved in combination with Herceptin and docetaxel in adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic or locally recurrent unresectable breast cancer, who have not received previous anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for their metastatic disease. [F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Faculties in Cancer Biology & Immunotherapy (Huzhou University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scientist (Eli Lilly)

Postdoctoral Position (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

PhD Studentship Opportunity (University of East Anglia)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Epigenetics (Structural Genomics Consortium at University of Toronto)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Hematopoietic and Leukemia Stem Cells (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center)

PhD Student (Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus)

PhD Studentship – Signal Transduction and Cancer Research (Department of Medicine, McGill University)


Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 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 Cancer Stem Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.