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Strizzi L, Hardy KM, Kirschmann DA, Ahrlund-Richter L, Hendrix MJC. Nodal expression and detection in cancer: experience and challenges. Cancer Res 2012; 72:1915-20. [PMID: 22508696 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nodal is a TGF-β-related embryonic morphogen that is expressed in multiple human cancers. Detection of Nodal expression in these tissues can be challenging if issues related to Nodal transcription and protein processing are not considered. Here, we discuss certain characteristics related to Nodal expression and function and how these can facilitate acquisition and interpretation of expression data, contributing to our understanding of the potential role of Nodal in human cancer. We also discuss how Nodal could be exploited clinically as a novel biomarker for cancer progression and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Strizzi
- Children's Memorial Research Center, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA
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Garbe JC, Pepin F, Pelissier FA, Sputova K, Fridriksdottir AJ, Guo DE, Villadsen R, Park M, Petersen OW, Borowsky AD, Stampfer MR, Labarge MA. Accumulation of multipotent progenitors with a basal differentiation bias during aging of human mammary epithelia. Cancer Res 2012; 72:3687-701. [PMID: 22552289 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Women older than 50 years account for 75% of new breast cancer diagnoses, and the majority of these tumors are of a luminal subtype. Although age-associated changes, including endocrine profiles and alterations within the breast microenvironment, increase cancer risk, an understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlies these observations is lacking. In this study, we generated a large collection of normal human mammary epithelial cell strains from women ages 16 to 91 years, derived from primary tissues, to investigate the molecular changes that occur in aging breast cells. We found that in finite lifespan cultured and uncultured epithelial cells, aging is associated with a reduction of myoepithelial cells and an increase in luminal cells that express keratin 14 and integrin-α6, a phenotype that is usually expressed exclusively in myoepithelial cells in women younger than 30 years. Changes to the luminal lineage resulted from age-dependent expansion of defective multipotent progenitors that gave rise to incompletely differentiated luminal or myoepithelial cells. The aging process therefore results in both a shift in the balance of luminal/myoepithelial lineages and to changes in the functional spectrum of multipotent progenitors, which together increase the potential for malignant transformation. Together, our findings provide a cellular basis to explain the observed vulnerability to breast cancer that increases with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Garbe
- Life Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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The bed and the bugs: interactions between the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2012; 22:462-70. [PMID: 22548722 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumors have been increasingly recognized as organs with a complexity that approaches, and may even exceed, that of healthy tissues. When viewed from this perspective, the biology of a tumor can be understood only by studying tumor cell heterogeneity and the microenvironment that is constructed during the course of tumorigenesis and malignant progression. Recent work has revealed the existence of cancer stem cells, the "bugs", with the capacity for self-renewal and tumor propagation. In addition, it is now recognized that the tumor microenvironment, the "bed", plays a critical role in supporting cancer stem cells and also may promote neoplasia and malignant progression. The interdependence of the cell-intrinsic features of cancer, including the cancer stem cell "bugs" and the tumor microenvironment "bed", is only beginning to be understood. In this review, we highlight the rapidly evolving concepts about the interactions between tumor stem cells and their microenvironment, the insights gained from studying their normal tissue counterparts, and the questions and controversies surrounding this area of research, with an emphasis on breast and lung cancer. Finally, we address evidence supporting the notion that eliminating the bed as well as the bugs should lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatments that improve patient outcome.
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Chen L, Kasai T, Li Y, Sugii Y, Jin G, Okada M, Vaidyanath A, Mizutani A, Satoh A, Kudoh T, Hendrix MJC, Salomon DS, Fu L, Seno M. A model of cancer stem cells derived from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33544. [PMID: 22511923 PMCID: PMC3325228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of continuous proliferation and self-renewal and are proposed to play significant roles in oncogenesis, tumor growth, metastasis and cancer recurrence. CSCs are considered derived from normal stem cells affected by the tumor microenvironment although the mechanism of development is not clear yet. In 2007, Yamanaka's group succeeded in generating Nanog mouse induced pluripotent stem (miPS) cells, in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been inserted into the 5'-untranslated region of the Nanog gene. Usually, iPS cells, just like embryonic stem cells, are considered to be induced into progenitor cells, which differentiate into various normal phenotypes depending on the normal niche. We hypothesized that CSCs could be derived from Nanog miPS cells in the conditioned culture medium of cancer cell lines, which is a mimic of carcinoma microenvironment. As a result, the Nanog miPS cells treated with the conditioned medium of mouse Lewis lung carcinoma acquired characteristics of CSCs, in that they formed spheroids expressing GFP in suspension culture, and had a high tumorigenicity in Balb/c nude mice exhibiting angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, these iPS-derived CSCs had a capacity of self-renewal and expressed the marker genes, Nanog, Rex1, Eras, Esg1 and Cripto, associated with stem cell properties and an undifferentiated state. Thus we concluded that a model of CSCs was originally developed from miPS cells and proposed the conditioned culture medium of cancer cell lines might perform as niche for producing CSCs. The model of CSCs and the procedure of their establishment will help study the genetic alterations and the secreted factors in the tumor microenvironment which convert miPS cells to CSCs. Furthermore, the identification of potentially bona fide markers of CSCs, which will help the development of novel anti-cancer therapies, might be possible though the CSC model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Tomonari Kasai
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yueguang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin 4th Centre Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuh Sugii
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Guoliang Jin
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masashi Okada
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Arun Vaidyanath
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akifumi Mizutani
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ayano Satoh
- Multidisciplinary Division, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kudoh
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Mary J. C. Hendrix
- Children's Memorial Research Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - David S. Salomon
- Laboratory of Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Li Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (MS); (LF)
| | - Masaharu Seno
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- * E-mail: (MS); (LF)
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Harris PJ, Speranza G, Dansky Ullmann C. Targeting embryonic signaling pathways in cancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16:131-45. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2011.645808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Okada S, Ochiai H, Saito A, Sato Y, Azuma T. Regulation of Nodal-Lefty Expression by TGF-^|^beta; Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells Derived from Mouse Oral Mucosal Tissue. J HARD TISSUE BIOL 2012. [DOI: 10.2485/jhtb.21.391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Bioengineering embryonic stem cell microenvironments for the study of breast cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:7662-91. [PMID: 22174624 PMCID: PMC3233430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12117662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent disease amongst women worldwide and metastasis is the main cause of death due to breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer cells and embryonic stem (ES) cells display similar characteristics. However, unlike metastatic breast cancer cells, ES cells are nonmalignant. Furthermore, embryonic microenvironments have the potential to convert metastatic breast cancer cells into a less invasive phenotype. The creation of in vitro embryonic microenvironments will enable better understanding of ES cell-breast cancer cell interactions, help elucidate tumorigenesis, and lead to the restriction of breast cancer metastasis. In this article, we will present the characteristics of breast cancer cells and ES cells as well as their microenvironments, importance of embryonic microenvironments in inhibiting tumorigenesis, convergence of tumorigenic and embryonic signaling pathways, and state of the art in bioengineering embryonic microenvironments for breast cancer research. Additionally, the potential application of bioengineered embryonic microenvironments for the prevention and treatment of invasive breast cancer will be discussed.
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Xu H, Zhao Y, Liu Z, Zhu W, Zhou Y, Zhao Z. Bisulfite genomic sequencing of DNA from dried blood spot microvolume samples. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2011; 6:306-9. [PMID: 21737370 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Revised: 04/16/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important event in epigenetic changes in cells, and a fundamental regulator of gene transcription. Bisulfite genomic sequencing is a powerful technique used in studies of DNA methylation. However, the established procedures often require relatively large amounts of DNA. In everyday practice, samples submitted for analysis might contain very small amounts of poor quality material, as is often the case with forensic stain samples. In this study, we assess a modified, more efficient method of bisulfite genomic sequencing. Genomic DNA extracted from 3-mm dried blood spots using QIAamp micro kit was treated with sodium bisulfite (using EpiTect kit). Subsequent methylation-specific PCR (MSP) followed by DNA sequencing displayed the differentially methylated region of imprinted gene SNRPN. Our results show that this new combination of efficient DNA extraction and bisulfite treatment provides high quality conversion of unmethylated cytosine to uracil for bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis. This reliable method substantially improves the DNA methylation analysis of forensic stain samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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Abstract
As the frequency of melanoma diagnosis increases, current treatment strategies are still struggling to significantly impact patient survival. Some promise has been shown in treating certain melanomas by targeting activated signaling pathways resulting from specific mutations in proteins, such as BRAF and NRAS. Recently, the identification of embryonic signaling pathways in melanoma has helped us better understand certain biological characteristics, such as cellular heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity, and has provided novel insight pertinent to diagnosis and therapy. For instance, our studies have shown that the TGF-β family member, Nodal, is expressed in melanoma and is responsible, at least in part, for tumor cell plasticity and aggressiveness. Since the majority of normal adult tissues do not express Nodal, we reason that this embryonic morphogen could be used to identify and target aggressive melanoma cells. We have also identified that molecular cross-talk between the Notch and Nodal pathways may represent a mechanism responsible for the overexpression of Nodal in melanoma. Further exploitation of the relationship between embryonic signaling pathways and cancer pathogenesis could lead to novel approaches for diagnosis and therapy in cancers, such as melanoma.
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Gross E, Quillet-Mary A, Ysebaert L, Laurent G, Fournie JJ. Cancer stem cells of differentiated B-cell malignancies: models and consequences. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:1566-79. [PMID: 24212774 PMCID: PMC3757378 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3021566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of cancer stem cells has revolutionized our current vision of cancer development and was validated in solid tumors and cancers of the primitive hematopoietic compartment. Proof of the principle is still lacking, however, in malignancies of differentiated B-cells. We review here the current literature, which nevertheless suggests hierarchical organizations of the tumor clone for mostly incurable B-cell cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphomas and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We propose two models accounting for cancer stem cells in these contexts: a “top-to-bottom” clonal hierarchy from memory B-cells and a “bottom-to-top” model of clonal reprogramming. Selection pressure on the growing tumor can drive such reprogramming and increase its genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Gross
- INSERM, UMR1037-Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France; E-Mails: (E.G.); (A.Q.-M.); (L.Y.); (G.L.)
- ERL 5294 CNRS, BP3028 CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Quillet-Mary
- INSERM, UMR1037-Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France; E-Mails: (E.G.); (A.Q.-M.); (L.Y.); (G.L.)
- ERL 5294 CNRS, BP3028 CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Loic Ysebaert
- INSERM, UMR1037-Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France; E-Mails: (E.G.); (A.Q.-M.); (L.Y.); (G.L.)
- ERL 5294 CNRS, BP3028 CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Service d'Hématologie, CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Guy Laurent
- INSERM, UMR1037-Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France; E-Mails: (E.G.); (A.Q.-M.); (L.Y.); (G.L.)
- ERL 5294 CNRS, BP3028 CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Service d'Hématologie, CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Fournie
- INSERM, UMR1037-Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France; E-Mails: (E.G.); (A.Q.-M.); (L.Y.); (G.L.)
- ERL 5294 CNRS, BP3028 CHU Purpan, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +33-562-748-364; Fax: +33-562-744-558
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Raof NA, Raja WK, Castracane J, Xie Y. Bioengineering embryonic stem cell microenvironments for exploring inhibitory effects on metastatic breast cancer cells. Biomaterials 2011; 32:4130-9. [PMID: 21411140 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The recreation of an in vitro microenvironment to understand and manipulate the proliferation and migration of invasive breast cancer cells may allow one to put a halt to their metastasis capacity. Invasive cancer cells have been linked to embryonic stem (ES) cells as they possess certain similar characteristics and gene signatures. Embryonic microenvironments have the potential to reprogram cancer cells into a less invasive phenotype and help elucidate tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this study, we explored the feasibility of reconstructing embryonic microenvironments using mouse ES cells cultured in alginate hydrogel and investigated the interactions of ES cells and highly invasive breast cancer cells in 2D, 2&1/2D, and 3D cultures. Results showed that mouse ES cells inhibited the growth and tumor spheroid formation of breast cancer cells. The mouse ES cell microenvironment was further constructed and optimized in 3D alginate hydrogel microbeads, and co-cultured with breast cancer cells. Migration analysis displayed a significant reduction in the average velocity and trajectory of breast cancer cell locomotion compared to control, suggesting that bioengineered mouse ES cell microenvironments inhibited the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. This study may act as a platform to open up new options to understand and harness tumor cell plasticity and develop therapeutics for metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurazhani Abdul Raof
- The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY), 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
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Abstract
The identification of all epigenetic modifications implicated in gene expression is the next step for a better understanding of human biology in both normal and pathological states. This field is referred to as epigenomics, and it is defined as epigenetic changes (ie, DNA methylation, histone modifications and regulation by noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs) on a genomic scale rather than a single gene. Epigenetics modulate the structure of the chromatin, thereby affecting the transcription of genes in the genome. Different studies have already identified changes in epigenetic modifications in a few genes in specific pathways in cancers. Based on these epigenetic changes, drugs against different types of tumors were developed, which mainly target epimutations in the genome. Examples include DNA methylation inhibitors, histone modification inhibitors, and small molecules that target chromatin-remodeling proteins. However, these drugs are not specific, and side effects are a major problem; therefore, new DNA sequencing technologies combined with epigenomic tools have the potential to identify novel biomarkers and better molecular targets to treat cancers. The purpose of this review is to discuss current and emerging epigenomic tools and to address how these new technologies may impact the future of cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabricio F Costa
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Children's Memorial Research Center and Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, 2430 N. Halsted St, Box 220, Chicago, IL, USA
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Malchenko S, Galat V, Seftor EA, Vanin EF, Costa FF, Seftor REB, Soares MB, Hendrix MJC. Cancer hallmarks in induced pluripotent cells: new insights. J Cell Physiol 2010; 225:390-3. [PMID: 20568225 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Studies are beginning to emerge that demonstrate intriguing differences between human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we investigated the expression of key members of the Nodal embryonic signaling pathway, critical to the maintenance of pluripotency in hESCs. Western blot and real-time RT-PCR analyses reveal slightly lower levels of Nodal (a TGF-beta family member) and Cripto-1 (Nodal's co-receptor) and a dramatic decrease in Lefty (Nodal's inhibitor and TGF-beta family member) in hiPSCs compared with hESCs. The noteworthy drop in hiPSC's Lefty expression correlated with an increase in the methylation of Lefty B CpG island. Based on these findings, we addressed a more fundamental question related to the consequences of epigenetically reprogramming hiPSCs, especially with respect to maintaining a stable ESC phenotype. A global comparative analysis of 365 microRNAs (miRs) in two hiPSC versus four hESC lines ultimately identified 10 highly expressed miRs in hiPCSs with >10-fold difference, which have been shown to be cancer related. These data demonstrate cancer hallmarks expressed by hiPSCs, which will require further assessment for their impact on future therapies..
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Malchenko
- Children's Memorial Research Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA
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