Mammary Cell News Volume 4.09 | Mar 8 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP2 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression and Maintains Tumor-Initiating Cells via Activation of Key Transcription Factors and a Positive Feedback Signaling Loop
New cancer therapies are likely to arise from an in-depth understanding of the signaling networks influencing tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. Researchers show a fundamental role for Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) in these processes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

ErbB-2 Signals through Plexin-B1 to Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis
Investigators show that overexpression of ErbB-2 in human breast cancer cell lines leads to phosphorylation and activation of the semaphorin receptor Plexin-B1. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mediates Progestin-Induced Mammary Tumor Growth by Interacting with Progesterone Receptors at the Cyclin D1/MYC Promoters
In this study, scientists used a murine progestin-dependent tumor to investigate the role of estrogen receptor alpha in progestin-induced tumor cell proliferation. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Impact of Intertumoral Heterogeneity on Predicting Chemotherapy Response of BRCA1-Deficient Mammary Tumors
Researchers searched for gene expression patterns that correlate with docetaxel or cisplatin response in a mouse model for breast cancer associated with BRCA1 deficiency. [Cancer Res] Abstract

P-Cadherin Is Co-Expressed with Cd44 and Cd49f and Mediates Stem Cell Properties in Basal-Like Breast Cancer
The aim of this study was to test whether P-cadherin mediates stem cell properties in basal-like breast carcinomas. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Akt and ERK Control the Proliferative Response of Mammary Epithelial Cells to the Growth Factors IGF-1 and EGF through the Cell Cycle Inhibitor p57^Kip2
Using high-content immunofluorescence microscopy, scientists quantitated differences in signaling networks downstream of epidermal growth factor (EGF), which stimulated proliferation of mammary epithelial cells, and insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which enhanced the proliferative response to EGF but did not stimulate proliferation independently. [Sci Signal] Abstract

ROR1 Is Expressed in Human Breast Cancer and Associated with Enhanced Tumor-Cell Growth
Here researchers show that the neoplastic cells of many human breast cancers express the receptor-tyrosine-kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) protein and high-level expression of ROR1 in breast adenocarcinoma was associated with aggressive disease. [PLoS One] Abstract | Press Release

Stem Cell-Related Markers in Primary Breast Cancers and Associated Metastatic Lesions
Investigators hypothesized that stem cell subpopulations would be more frequent in metastatic than in primary tumors. Therefore they assessed by immunohistochemical analysis, tissue microarrays containing tissue from primary and associated metastatic breast cancers for expression of CD24, CD44, E-cadherin and vimentin to evaluate candidate cancer-initiating cell populations in breast cancer subtypes and metastatic lesions. [Mod Pathol] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Pertuzumab Monotherapy After Trastuzumab-Based Treatment and Subsequent Reintroduction of Trastuzumab: Activity and Tolerability in Patients with Advanced Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Breast Cancer
Scientists recruited a third cohort of patients who received pertuzumab without trastuzumab. They then investigated the impact of reintroducing trastuzumab to patients whose disease progressed on pertuzumab monotherapy. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract | Press Release

Adjuvant Tamoxifen Reduces Subsequent Breast Cancer in Women with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Study Based on NSABP Protocol B-24
The NSABP (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project) B-24 study demonstrated significant benefit with adjuvant tamoxifen in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ after lumpectomy and radiation. The current study retrospectively evaluated the relationship between receptors and response to tamoxifen. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Conjugated Equine Estrogen and Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women with Hysterectomy: Extended Follow-Up of the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Investigators aimed to assess the influence of estrogen use on longer term breast cancer incidence and mortality in extended follow-up of the women in the Women’s Health Initiative trial. [Lancet Oncol]
Abstract | Press Release

Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab, Trastuzumab, and Chemotherapy for Primary Inflammatory HER2-Positive Breast Cancer (BEVERLY-2): An Open-Label, Single-Arm Phase II Study
In this Phase II trial, scientists aimed to assess efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant bevacizumab combined with trastuzumab and chemotherapy in patients with primary HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer. [Lancet Oncol] Abstract

CYP2D6 Genotype and Tamoxifen Response in Postmenopausal Women with Endocrine-Responsive Breast Cancer: The Breast International Group 1-98 Trial
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme metabolizes tamoxifen to clinically active metabolites, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms may adversely affect tamoxifen efficacy. In this study, researchers investigated the clinical relevance of CYP2D6 polymorphisms. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract

Chief Medical Officer at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Honored by National Group Devoted to Advocacy for Women
Deborah L. Toppmeyer, MD, a medical oncologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey who heads a very active breast cancer clinic and conducts clinical research, was selected for her commitment to issues critical to advancing women and women’s health. [The Cancer Institute of New Jersey] Press Release

Atossa Genetics’ National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health Receives CLIA Certification
Atossa Genetics, Inc. announced certification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 for its breast health reference laboratory, the National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health. [MarketWatch] Press Release

NEW Stem Cell Society Singapore Symposium 2012
September 6-7, 2012
Singapore, Singapore

NEW The 2012 Stem Cell Discussion Forum
October 3, 2012
London, United Kingdom

NEW Third International Symposium on Breast Cancer Prevention: Models for Breast Cancer Prevention From Innovation to Action
October 10-12, 2012
West Lafayette, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the mammary cell community.

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software Inc.)

Tenure Track Position (Johns Hopkins University)

Research Associate (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Biology (North Carolina Central University)

Postdoctoral Fellow and Technician Positions (North Carolina Central University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist (The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research) 


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