LABORATORY RESEARCH Sustained Activation of SMAD3/SMAD4 by FOXM1 Promotes TGF-ß-Dependent Cancer Metastasis Scientists indicated that forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) promotes breast cancer metastasis by increasing nuclear retention of SMAD3 and identify crosstalk between FOXM1 and TGF-ß/SMAD3 pathways. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Human Breast Cancer Metastases to the Brain Display GABAergic Properties in the Neural Niche Researchers found breast-to-brain metastatic tissue and cells displayed a GABAergic phenotype similar to that of neuronal cells. The GABAA receptor, GABA transporter, GABA transaminase, parvalbumin, and reelin were all highly expressed in breast cancer metastases to the brain. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article Pttg1/Securin Is Required for the Branching Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland and Suppresses Mammary Tumorigenesis PTTG1 is overexpressed in a number of human cancers and has been suggested to be an oncogene. However, researchers found that, in Pttg1-mutant females, the mammary epithelial cells showed increased proliferation and precocious branching morphogenesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract The RNA-Binding Protein Musashi-1 Regulates Proteasome Subunit Expression in Breast Cancer- and Glioma-Initiating Cells Researchers present evidence that the downregulation of the 26S proteasome in cancer stem cells constitutes another level of control by which Musashi-1 promotes signaling through the Notch pathway and maintenance of the stem cell phenotype of this subpopulation of cancer cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract New Insights into Lineage Restriction of Mammary Gland Epithelium Using Parity-Identified Mammary Epithelial Cells Researchers investigated the cellular identity and lineage potential of parity-identified mammary epithelial cells (PI-MECs) in intact mammary glands. After involution, PI-MECs are present exclusively in the luminal layer of mammary ducts. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Progesterone Stimulates Progenitor Cells in Normal Human Breast and Breast Cancer Cells Scientists demonstrated that progesterone receptor is expressed in a subset of CD10+ basal cells and that progesterone stimulates this CD10+ cell compartment, which is enriched for bipotent progenitor activity. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract Gold(III)-Dithiocarbamato Peptidomimetics in the Forefront of the Targeted Anticancer Therapy: Preclinical Studies against Human Breast Neoplasia Au(III) complexes were designed as carrier-mediated delivery systems exploiting peptide transporters which are up-regulated in some cancers. Among all, researchers focused on two compounds and tested them on human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell cultures and xenografts, discovering the proteasome as a major target both in vitro and in vivo. [PLoS One] Full Article Exosomes Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Angiogenesis by Down-Regulating VEGF Expression in Breast Cancer Cells Exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated and characterized. MSC-derived exosomes exhibited different protein and RNA profiles compared with their donor cells and these vesicles could be internalized by breast cancer cells. [PLoS One] Full Article The RON Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Promotes Metastasis by Triggering MBD4-Dependent DNA Methylation Reprogramming Researchers report an epigenetic reprogramming pathway that is required for breast cancer metastasis. Analysis of human breast cancers revealed that this epigenetic program is significantly associated with poor clinical outcome. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH A Phase II, Randomized, Multicenter Study Evaluating the Combination of Lapatinib and Vinorelbine in Women with ErbB2 Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer Investigators evaluated efficacy and safety of lapatinib plus vinorelbine, compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine, in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Full Article Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Sequential Anthracycline-Docetaxel with Gemcitabine for Large Operable or Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: ANZ 0502 (NeoGem) In metastatic breast cancer the combination of gemcitabine and a taxane has shown promising results. This Phase II study investigated the efficacy and safety of incorporating gemcitabine into neoadjuvant therapy. [Breast] Abstract |