LABORATORY RESEARCH Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma (DCC) Suppresses Metastasis in p53-Deficient Mammary Tumors Here scientists show that in a mouse model of mammary carcinoma based on somatic inactivation of p53, additional loss of DCC gene promotes metastasis formation without affecting the primary tumor phenotype. [Nature] Abstract Intragenic ATM Methylation in Peripheral Blood DNA as a Biomarker of Breast Cancer Risk Here, investigators used pre-diagnostic blood samples from three studies to analyze white blood cell DNA methylation of two ATM intragenic loci (ATMmvp2a and ATMmvp2b) and genome-wide DNA methylation in LINE1 repetitive elements. [Cancer Res] Abstract Conditional Activation of Pik3caH1047R in a Knock-In Mouse Model Promotes Mammary Tumorigenesis and Emergence of Mutations In this study, researchers report the development of a knock-in mouse model for breast cancer where the endogenous Pik3ca allele was modified to allow tissue-specific conditional expression of a frequently found Pik3caH1047R mutant allele. [Oncogene] Abstract cMET and Phospho-cMET Protein Levels in Breast Cancers and Survival Outcomes The purpose of this study is to evaluate cMET and phospho-cMET levels in breast cancer subtypes and its impact on survival outcomes. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract A Whole-Genome Massively Parallel Sequencing Analysis of BRCA1 Mutant Estrogen Receptor-Negative and -Positive Breast Cancers This study demonstrates that BRCA1 pathogenic germline mutations coupled with somatic loss of the wild-type allele are not sufficient for hereditary breast cancers to display an estrogen receptor-negative phenotype, and has led to the identification of three potential novel breast cancer genes (ie DAPK3, TMEM135, and GATA4). [J Pathol] Abstract Focal Adhesion Kinase Contributes to Proliferative Potential of ErbB2 Mammary Tumor Cells But Is Dispensable for ErbB2 Mammary Tumor Induction In Vivo To directly evaluate the role of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in mammary tumor progression, investigators have used a conditional FAK mouse model and MMTV-driven Cre recombinase strain to inactivate FAK in the mammary epithelium of a transgenic mouse model of ErbB2 breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract Clinicopathological and Biological Significance of Human Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1 Over-Expression in Breast Cancer In this study, scientists showed that the voltage-gated proton channel Hv1 expression was significantly correlated with the tumor size (P = 0.001), tumor classification (P = 0.000), lymph node status (P = 0.000), clinical stage (P = 0.000) and Her-2 status (P = 0.045). [J Biol Chem] Abstract Combination of Pan-Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor and Autophagy Inhibitor Exerts Superior Efficacy Against Triple-Negative Human Breast Cancer Cells Here, researchers determined the in vitro and in vivo activity of the combination of the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine against human estrogen/progesterone receptor and HER2 (triple)-negative breast cancer cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract Phenformin as Prophylaxis and Therapy in Breast Cancer Xenografts Investigators sought to determine the efficacy of the biguanide phenformin in the chemoprophylaxis and in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and receptor triple-negative MDAMB231 xenografts in immunocompromised mice. [Br J Cancer] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH FACT: An Open-Label Randomized Phase III Study of Fulvestrant and Anastrozole in Combination Compared with Anastrozole Alone as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Receptor-Positive Postmenopausal Breast Cancer The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of therapy with anastrozole versus a combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole in women in first relapse of endocrine-responsive breast cancer. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract Breast Conserving Therapy Versus Mastectomy for Stage I-II Breast Cancer: 20 Year Follow-Up of the EORTC 10801 Phase III Randomized Trial The EORTC 10801 trial compared breast-conserving therapy (BCT) with modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in patients with tumors 5 cm or smaller and axillary node negative or positive disease. Compared with BCT, MRM resulted in better local control, but did not affect overall survival or time to distant metastases. Scientists report 20-year follow-up results. [Lancet Oncol] Abstract |