Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 2.32 | Aug 14 2013

Epstein-Barr Virus Induction of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Imposes a Stem Cell Phenotype on Human Epithelial Cells
Researchers demonstrated that nasopharyngeal carcinoma displays frequent dysregulation of the Hedgehog pathway, a pathway implicated in the maintenance of stem cells, but whose aberrant activation in adult tissues can lead to cancer. [J Pathol] Abstract

mTOR Activation in Immature Cells of Primary Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Anti-Tumor Effect of Rapamycin In Vitro and In Vivo
The authors investigated the link between mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and cancer stem cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). They found that human primary NPC expressed embryonic stem cell markers: CD133, SOX2 and OCT4 as well as pmTOR and pS6. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Cadherin-11 Regulates Motility in Normal Cortical Neural Precursors and Glioblastoma
Scientists found a mesenchymal cadherin, Cadherin-11 (CDH11), is increased in cells exiting the ventricular zone neuroepithelium during normal cerebral cortical development. When overexpressed in cortical progenitors in vivo, CDH11 causes premature exit from the neuroepithelium and increased cell migration. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Upregulated MicroRNA-92b Regulates the Differentiation and Proliferation of EpCAM-Positive Fetal Liver Cells by Targeting C/EBPß
Although recent evidence has indicated that the aberrant expression of microRNAs may play an important role in cancer stem cells, the mechanism of their deregulation in neoplastic transformation of liver cancer stem cells has not been explored. Scientists established the HCC model in F344 rats by DEN induction. [PLoS One] Full Article

Preclinical Evaluation of 4-Methylthiobutyl Isothiocyanate on Liver Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells with Different p53 Status
Isothiocyanates from plants of the order Brassicales are considered promising cancer chemotherapeutic phytochemicals. However, their selective cytotoxicity on liver cancer has been barely researched. Investigators systematically studied the chemotherapeutic potency of 4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate. [PLoS One] Full Article

Nrf2 Is Required to Maintain the Self-Renewal of Glioma Stem Cells
Previous studies have demonstrated the significant role of Nuclear factor rythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the proliferation of glioblastoma, and in their resistance to radioactive therapies. Investigators examined the effect of knocking down Nrf2 in glioma stem cells. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Heterogeneous Reovirus Susceptibility in Human Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cell Cultures
In glioblastoma (GB), the GB stem-like cells (GSC) form a small population of tumor cells and possess high resistance to chemo and radiation therapies. To assess the sensitivity of GSC to reovirus-mediated cytolysis, a panel of GSC cultures was exposed to wild-type reovirus Type 3 Dearing and its junction adhesion molecule-A-independent mutant, jin-1. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

The Fruits of Maclura pomifera Extracts Inhibits Glioma Stem-Like Cell Growth and Invasion
The authors found that stem-like glioma cells were significantly increased in neurosphere cells, which are highly invasive and resistant to multiple chemotherapeutic agents. [Neurochem Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cancer stem cell research field.

Northwest Biotherapeutics Receives Regulatory Decision that Will Enable Its Phase III Brain Cancer Trial to Proceed in Germany
Northwest Biotherapeutics announced that it has received a decision from the German regulatory agency under which the company’s Phase III clinical trial will be able to proceed in Germany after the Company makes three modifications, none of which affect the body of the trial or the bases for seeking product approval. [Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.] 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)

From our sponsor:
Interested in assays for human mammary stem and progenitor cells? Request your free wallchart.

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cancer stem cell community.

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 Fellow – Cancer Research (University of British Columbia)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

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.