Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 5.10 | Mar 16 2016

Cancer Stem Cell Drugs Target K-Ras Signaling in a Stemness Context
Researchers showed that salinomycin very specifically interferes with the activity of K-ras4B, but not H-ras, by disrupting its nanoscale membrane organization. They found that caveolae negatively regulate the sensitivity to this drug. [Oncogene] Full Article

Hypoxia and MITF Regulate KIT Oncogenic Properties in Melanocytes
Scientists showed that exposition of melanocytes harboring the L576PKIT mutation to a hypoxic environment induced their transformation into malignant cells. Transformed L576PKIT melanocytes showed downregulation of MITF expression characteristic of melanoma initiating cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

MEK1 Signaling Promotes Self-Renewal and Tumorigenicity of Liver Cancer Stem Cells via Maintaining SIRT1 Protein Stabilization
Investigators showed that inhibition or depletion of MEK1 can significantly decrease liver cancer stem cells self-renewal and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo conditions. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Cancer Stem Cell-Based Models of Colorectal Cancer Reveal Molecular Determinants of Therapy Resistance
Researchers have optimized a protocol for colorectal cancer stem cell (CSC) isolation that allowed them to obtain CSC-enriched cultures from primary tumor specimens, with high efficiency. CSC isolation was followed by in vitro and in vivo validation, genetic characterization, and drug sensitivity analysis, thus generating panels of CSC lines with defined patterns of genetic mutations and therapy sensitivity. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

The Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling/Id2 Cascade Mediates the Effects of Hypoxia on the Hierarchy of Colorectal-Cancer Stem Cells
Through various in vitro studies, the authors found that hypoxia-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling increased the occurrence of cancer stem-cell-like phenotypes and the level of Id2 expression in colorectal-cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cancer Stem-Like Cells Accumulated in Nickel-Induced Malignant Transformation
Scientists examined the role of cancer stem cells in nickel-induced cell transformation. The non-transformed human bronchial epithelial cell line (Beas-2B) was chronically exposed to nickel chloride for 12 months to induce cell transformation. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Asymmetric Distribution of GFAP in Glioma Multipotent Cells
The authors demonstrated the asymmetric distribution of the main astrocytic intermediate filament, namely the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), in mitotic glioma multipotent cells isolated from glioblastoma, the most frequent type of brain tumor. [PLoS One] Full Article

MAPK13 Is Preferentially Expressed in Gynecological Cancer Stem Cells and Has a Role in the Tumor-Initiation
Investigators analyzed the gene expression profiles of gynecological cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) isolated as aldehyde dehydrogenase high cells, and found that MAPK13, PTTG1IP, CAPN1 and UBQLN2 were preferentially expressed in CSCs/CICs. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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FDA Grants Second Orphan Designation For VAL-083
DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development has granted orphan drug designation for its lead product candidate, VAL-083, in the treatment of medulloblastoma. [DelMar Pharmaceuticals, 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)

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NEW Tenure Track Position – Cancer Biology (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Various Projects (University of Cincinnati)

PhD Studentship – Peptide Receptors in Cancer Stem Cells (Exiris/Bielefeld University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University Health Center)

Translational Research Scientist – Hematology and Oncology (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Structures of Proteins Involved in Cancer Metastasis (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Full Professorship – Tumor Immunology (German Cancer Research Center)

Junior Professorship – Imaging and Radiation Oncology (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

PhD Studentship – Various Positions in Cancer (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Faculty Position – Cancer Research (Various Areas) (The Jackson Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Epigenomics (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre )

Faculty Position – Radioimmunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Scientist – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (University of Chicago)

Staff Scientist – Cell Therapy Process Development (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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