Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 7.03 | Jan 24 2018

TOP STORY

A Myc Enhancer Cluster Regulates Normal and Leukemic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Hierarchies

The authors showed that an evolutionarily conserved region located 1.7 megabases downstream of the Myc gene that has previously been labelled as a ‘super-enhancer’ is essential for the regulation of Myc expression levels in both normal hematopoietic and leukemic stem cell hierarchies in mice and humans. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Breast Cancer Metastasis Suppressor OTUD1 Deubiquitinates SMAD7

Investigators report a loss-of-function screen in mice with metastasis as readout and identify OTUD1 as a metastasis-repressing factor. OTUD1-silenced cancer cells showed mesenchymal and stem-cell-like characteristics. [Nat Commun] Full Article

CCR5 Governs DNA Damage and Breast Cancer Stem Cell Expansion

The authors report that CCR5 expression in human breast cancer correlates with poor outcome. CCR5⁺ breast cancer epithelial cells formed mammospheres and initiated tumors with >60-fold greater efficiency in mice. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Mutant p53 Gain of Function Underlies High Expression Levels of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Markers

By genetic manipulation of mutant p53 in several cellular systems, scientists demonstrated that mutant p53 enhances colorectal tumorigenesis. Moreover, mutant p53-expressing cell lines harbored larger sub-populations of cells highly expressing the known colorectal CSCs markers: CD44, Lgr5, and ALDH. [Oncogene] Full Article

Epigenetic Silencing of TAP1 in Aldefluor⁺ Breast Cancer Stem Cells Contributes to Their Enhanced Immune Evasion

To investigate the ability of breast CSCs to evade immune detection researchers identified a highly tumorigenic population in a spontaneous murine mammary tumor based on increased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Elimination of Stem-Like Cancer Cell Side-Population by Auranofin through Modulation of ROS and Glycolysis

Researchers showed that Auranofin caused a depletion of cancer side-population cells and a downregulation of stem cell markers, and impaired their ability to form tumor colonies in vitro and incidence to develop tumors in vivo of lung cancer cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Targeting Glioma Stem-Like Cell Survival and Chemo-Resistance through Inhibition of Lysine-Specific Histone Demethylase KDM2B

Investigators found that the chromatin regulator, JmjC domain histone H3K36me2/me1 demethylase KDM2B, is highly expressed in glioblastoma surgical specimens compared to normal brain. Targeting KDM2B function genetically or pharmacologically impaired the survival of patient-derived primary glioblastoma cells through the induction of DNA damage and apoptosis, sensitizing them to chemotherapy. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes in ER⁺ Breast Cancer Models Are Promoted by PELP1/AIB1 Complexes

Researchers demonstrate that cytoplasmic leucine rich protein 1 (PELP1)/amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) containing complexes function to promote advanced cancer phenotypes, including outgrowth of stem-like cells, associated with estrogen-independent breast cancer progression. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

HDL Nanoparticles Targeting Sonic Hedgehog Subtype Medulloblastoma

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanoparticles disrupted colony formation in medulloblastoma and depleted CSC populations in medulloblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CCAT1 Stimulation of the Symmetric Division of NSCLC Stem Cells through Activation of the Wnt Signaling Cascade

Axitinib, a Wnt signaling inhibitor, effectively stimulated asymmetric division, similar to Let-7c. CCAT1 inhibition decreased the ratio of symmetric division of stem cells, and both Let-7c and Axitinib significantly abolished CCAT1 induction of symmetric division by inhibiting Wnt signaling. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Role of Cancer Stem Cells

The characterization of tumor subclones in the initial phase and the identification of the CSCs may be helpful in planning a specific treatment to target selected biomarkers, suppress tumor growth, and prevent drug resistance. The authors aim to elucidate the role of CSCs in the development of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and its implication for the management of patients. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Full Article

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Boost for UNSW Brain Cancer and Joint Replacement Research

A clinical trial of a new immunotherapy that will deliver a “toxin bomb” to brain cancer cells was one of two University of New South Wales (UNSW) medical projects to receive funding announced by Health Minister Greg Hunt at UNSW. [University of New South Wales] Press Release

Syros Announces Issuance of U.S. Patents Covering Methods for Stratifying Patients for Treatment with SY-1425, Its First-in-Class Selective RARα Agonist

Syros Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued two patents covering methods for stratifying patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome for treatment with SY-1425, the company’s first-in-class selective retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist. [Syros Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

German Scientists Hope for Windfall from Incoming Government

Research budget could rise to 3.5% of gross domestic product if agreement struck during coalition talks holds. [Nature News] Editorial

Nobel Laureate Suggests He Could Fall on Sword over Colleague’s Bogus Paper

Shinya Yamanaka, who won a share of the 2012 Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, has suggested he could resign as director of Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application in Japan over a fraudulent paper published by center researchers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2018 Annual Meeting
June 20-23, 2018
Melbourne, Australia

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cerebral Organoids and Tumor Stem Cell Biology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scholarship – Translational Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematology and Cancer Biology (University of Florida)

Postdoctoral Positions – Gene Regulation and/or Cancer Biology (University of North Carolina)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Associate – Control of Metastasis/Cancer Stem Cell Regulation (University of Miami)

Faculty Positions – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Sun Yat-Sen University)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Genome Institute of Singapore)

Research Officers – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Genome Institute of Singapore)

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