LABORATORY RESEARCH ​Gd-Metallofullerenol Nanomaterial as Non-Toxic Breast Cancer Stem Cell-Specific Inhibitor Scientists provide definitive evidence that the metallofullerenol nanomaterial ​Gd@C82(OH)22, while essentially not toxic to normal mammary epithelial cells, possesses intrinsic inhibitory activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article Carbonic Anhydrase IX Promotes Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Mobilization and Establishment of a Metastatic Niche by Stimulating G-CSF Production Researchers show that carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is indispensable for the production of G-CSF by hypoxic breast cancer cells and tumors. They demonstrate that CAIX expression in the tumor is required for the G-CSF-driven mobilization of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells to the breast cancer lung metastatic niche. [Cancer Res] Abstract Three-Dimensional Microenvironment Confers Enhanced Sensitivity to Doxorubicin by Reducing p53-Dependent Induction of Autophagy Investigators evaluated the microenvironmental control of human breast cancer cells responses to doxorubicin (DOXO) using the three-dimensional (3D) laminin-rich extracellular matrix cell culture model. Under 3D culture conditions, MCF-7 cells displayed drastic morphological alterations, a decrease in proliferation and elevated sensitivity to DOXO. [Oncogene] Abstract Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Control Adhesion and Invasion of Breast Carcinoma Cells The MDA-MB231 human breast carcinoma cell line was exposed to exogenous glycosaminoglycans and changes in cell behavior monitored by western blotting, immunocytochemistry, invasion and collagen degradation assays. [Mol Cancer] Abstract | Full Article miR-29b Defines the Pro-/Anti-Proliferative Effects of S100A7 in Breast Cancer Investigators show that S100A7 significantly downregulates the expression of miR-29b in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells, and significantly upregulates miR-29b in ER-negative cells. [Mol Cancer] Abstract | Full Article The Telomerase Inhibitor Imetelstat Alone, and in Combination with Trastuzumab, Decreases the Cancer Stem Cell Population and Self-Renewal of HER2+ Breast Cancer Cells Scientists investigated the effects of a telomerase antagonistic oligonucleotide, imetelstat, on cancer stem cell (CSC) and non-CSC populations of HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract Breast Cancer Cells Promote a Notch-Dependent Mesenchymal Phenotype in Endothelial Cells Participating to a Pro-Tumoral Niche Researchers show that co-injection of endothelial cells (ECs) and tumor cells in NOD/SCID mice significantly enhanced tumor growth in vivo with tumor-associated ECs expressing mesenchymal markers while maintaining their intrinsic endothelial trait. [J Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article The Na+/HCO3– Co-Transporter SLC4A4 Plays a Role in Growth and Migration of Colon and Breast Cancer Cells In MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells expressing high levels of SLC4A4 compared to LS174 cells, SLC4A4 knockdown had a strong impact on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract Calycosin and Genistein Induce Apoptosis by Inactivation of HOTAIR/p-Akt Signaling Pathway in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells Both calycosin and genistein inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, especially after treatment with calycosin. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with calycosin or genistein resulted in decreased phosphorylation of Akt, and decreased expression of its downstream target, HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR). [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Olaparib Monotherapy in Patients with Advanced Cancer and a Germline BRCA1/2 Mutation Olaparib is an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor with activity in germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2)-associated breast and ovarian cancers. Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of olaparib in a spectrum of BRCA1/2-associated cancers. [J Clin Oncol] Full Article The Prognostic and Predictive Value of Tregs and Tumor Immune Subtypes in Postmenopausal, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Dutch TEAM Study Analysis Researchers defined the prognostic and predictive value of tumor immune markers and the tumor immune profile in HR+ breast cancer, treated with different endocrine treatment regimens. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Full Article |