Can the reprogrammed cancer cells serve as an alternative source of (induced) cancer stem cells?

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small and elusive subpopulation of cancer cells within a tumor mass and are characterized by stem cell properties. Reprogrammed CSCs exhibit similar capability to initiate tumor growth, metastasis, and chemo- and radio-resistance and have similar gene profiles to primary CSCs. However, the efficiency of cancer cell reprogramming remained relatively low.

Gene expression profile of hiPSC-derived cells differentiated with growth factors, forskolin and conditioned medium from human adrenocortical cell line.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) affects approx. 2 in 1,000,000 individuals in the USA, and is more common in females than males. Adrenocortical carcinoma often presents with severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, high blood pressure, acne, hair overgrowth, and voice deepening.

The Enhanced Expression of ZWILCH Predicts Poor Survival of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Patients.

Zwilch kinetochore protein (ZWILCH) plays a key role in proper cell proliferation. The upregulation of the gene was observed in many types of cancers, but the association of ZWILCH with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) was not investigated so far. The main aim of the presented study was to verify if the enhanced level of the gene can be used as a diagnostic marker for ACC development and progression, as well as a predictor of survival time for ACC patients.

Lichen Secondary Metabolites Inhibit the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells and Improve the Anticancer Effects of Temozolomide.

Lichens are a source of secondary metabolites with significant pharmacological potential. Data regarding their possible application in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment are, however, scarce. The study aimed at analyzing the mechanism of action of six lichen secondary metabolites: atranorin, caperatic acid, physodic acid, squamatic acid, salazinic acid, and lecanoric acid using two- and three-dimensional GBM cell line models.

Biological response of adrenal carcinoma and melanoma cells to mitotane treatment.

A previous case report described an adrenal incidentaloma initially misdiagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), which was treated with mitotane. The final diagnosis was metastatic melanoma of unknown primary origin. However, the patient developed rapid disease progression after mitotane withdrawal, suggesting a protective role for mitotane in a non-adrenal-derived tumor.