Noncoding RNAs in cancer and cancer stem cells

In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that noncoding RNAs(ncRNA) are of crucial importance for human cancer. The functional relevance of ncRNAs is particularly evident for microRNAs(miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs). miRNAs are endogenously expressed small RNA sequences that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and have been extensively studied for their roles in cancers, whereas lncRNAs are emerging as important players in the cancer paradigm in recent years. These noncoding genes are often aberrantly expressed in a variety of human cancers. However, the biological functions of most ncRNAs remain largely unknown. Recently, evidence has begun to accumulate describing how ncRNAs are dysregulated in cancer and cancer stem cells, a subset of cancer cells harboring self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These studies provide insight into the functional roles that ncRNAs play in tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to therapies, and they suggest ncRNAs as attractive therapeutic targets and potentially useful diagnostic tools.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha in glioma:a bad seed

Recent collaborative,large-scale genomic profiling of the most common and aggressive brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme(GBM) has significantly advanced our understanding of this disease.The gene encoding platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFR a) was identified as the third of the top 11 amplified genes in clinical GBM specimens.The important roles of PDGFR a signaling during normal brain development also implicate the possible pathologic consequences of PDGFR a over-activation in glioma.Although the initial clinical trials using PDGFR kinase inhibitors have been predominantly disappointing,diagnostic and treatment modalities involving genomic profiling and personalized medicine are expected to improve the therapy targeting PDGFR a signaling.In this review,we discuss the roles of PDGFR a signaling during development of the normal central nervous system(CNS) and in pathologic conditions such as malignant glioma.We further compare various animal models of PDGF-induced gliomagenesis and their potential as a novel platform of pre-clinical drug testing.We then summarize our recent publication and how these findings will likely impact treatments for gliomas driven by PDGFR a overexpression.A better understanding of PDGFR a signaling in glioma and their microenvironment,through the use of human or mouse models,is necessary to design a more effective therapeutic strategy against gliomas harboring the aberrant PDGFR a signaling.

Outstanding young Chinese scholars making an impact in the US and China:a joint award program of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the US National Foundation for Cancer Research

Chinese researchers and physicians are being increasingly recognized for their significant contributions to advancing biomedical research, including cancer research, in China and around the world.To facilitate and strengthen collaboration among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) and the US National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) have established the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in basic, translational, and clinical studies.The goal of this joint scholar program is to recognize and reward research excellence by Chinese cancer researchers.Recipients are honored with the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Excellence Award for their achievements in cancer research performed while they were in the United States, as well as contributions to eradicating human cancers after their return to China.

Four outstanding young Chinese scientists received the 2013 Scholar Award from the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the National Foundation for Cancer Research

To facilitate and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China,the US Chinese AntiCancer Association(USCACA)and the National Foundation for Cancer Research(NFCR)have established the Scholar Excellence Award for the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in Basic,Translational,and Clinical Studies.Since 2010,10 young Chinese researchers and physicians have received the award for their outstanding achievements in cancer research accomplished while in the

Five outstanding young Chinese scholars received the Third Scholar Award from the Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) and the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA)

Chinese researchers and physicians are being increasingly recognized for making significant contributions that advance biomedical research,including cancer research,in both China and the world.

The US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the National Foundation for Cancer Research recognize five young Chinese investigators with the 2014 USCACA-NFCR Scholar Awards

To facilitate and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States and China,the US Chinese AntiCancer Association(USCACA)and the National Foundation for Cancer Research(NFCR)have established the Scholar Excellence Award for the USCACA-NFCR Scholar Exchange and Fellowship Program in Basic,Translational,and Clinical Studies.From 2010 to 2013,14 young

STUDY ON THE MISCIBILITY OF DYNAMICALLY VULCANIZED EPDM/PP BLEND BY POSITRON ANNIHILATION SPECTROSCOPY

Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) was utilized to investigate the relationship between the free-volume hole properties and miscibility of dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP blend. The results showed that the noncrystalline region of PP and EPDM in the blend was partially miscible and the miscibility of the blend became worse when the weight percent of EPDM was <50%. This was also demonstrated by DMTA and mechanical properties of the blends with various compositions.

Genomics in personalized cancer medicine and its impact on earlydrug development in China: report from the 6th Annual Meeting of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association(USCACA) at the 50th ASCOAnnual Meeting

The 6th Annual Meeting of the United States Chinese Anti-Cancer Association(USCACA) was held in conjunction with the 50 th Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology(ASCO) on May 30, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States of America. With a focus on personalized medicine, the conference featured novel approaches to investigate genomic aberrations in cancer cells and innovative clinical trial designs to expedite cancer drug development in biomarker-defined patient populations. A panel discussion further provided in-depth advice on advancing development of personalized cancer medicines in China. The conference also summarized USCACA key initiatives and accomplishments, including two awards designated to recognize young investigators from China for their achievements and to support their training in the United States. As an effort to promote international collaboration, USCACA will team up with Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology(CSCO) to host a joint session on "Breakthrough Cancer Medicines" at the upcoming CSCO Annual Meeting on September 20 th, 2014 in Xiamen, China.

Platelet-derived growth factor signaling in human malignancies

Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors were identified and purified decades ago. PDGFs are important during normal development and in human cancers. In particular, autocrine PDGF signaling has been implicated in various types of malignancies such as gliomas and leukemia. In contrast, paracrine signaling was found in cancers that originate from epithelial cells, where it may be involved in stromal cell recruitment, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This editorial briefly discusses autocrine and paracrine PDGF signaling and their roles in human cancers, and introduces a series of review articles in this issue that address the possible roles of PDGFs in various processes involved in different types of cancers.

The US Chinese Anti.Cancer Association and the Asian Fund for Cancer Research Recognize Young Chinese Cancer Researchers with the 2016 USCACA–AFCR scholar awards

To foster and strengthen collaborations among cancer researchers and physicians in the United States (US) and China, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA), the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR), and the Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) have established the USCACA-NFCR/ AFCR Scholarship Program in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Studies. Between 2010 and 2015, 24 junior Chinese cancer researchers and physicians have been recognized by this award for their outstanding achievements in cancer research accomplished both during their training in the US and after their returning to China [1-4]. In 2016, three young researchers were selected on the basis of their significant contributions in translational cancer research.

DNA damage and metabolic mechanisms of cancer drug resistance

Cancer drug resistance is one of the main barriers to overcome to ensure durable treatment responses.While many pivotal advances have been made in first combination therapies,then targeted therapies,and now broadening out to immunomodulatory drugs or metabolic targeting compounds,drug resistance is still ultimately universally fatal.In this brief review,we will discuss different strategies that have been used to fight drug resistance from synthetic lethality to tumor microenvironment modulation,focusing on the DNA damage response and tumor metabolism both within tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment.In this way,with a better understanding of both targetable mutations in combination with the metabolism,smarter drugs may be designed to combat cancer drug resistance.