Mammary Cell News Volume 4.49 | Dec 13 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Dual Functions of the Homeoprotein DLX4 in Modulating Responsiveness of Tumor Cells to Topoisomerase II-Targeting Drugs
Researchers identified that topoisomerase IIα expression is induced by DLX4, a homeoprotein that is overexpressed in breast and ovarian cancers. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Dual Blockade of HER2 in HER2-Overexpressing Tumor Cells Does Not Completely Eliminate HER3 Function
Scientists hypothesized that suppression of HER3 would synergize with dual blockade of HER2 in breast cancer cells sensitive and refractory to HER2 antagonists. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Prevention of Nodal Metastases in Breast Cancer following the Lymphatic Migration of Paclitaxel-Loaded Expansile Nanoparticles
Given the potential for targeted drug delivery to result in more efficacious locoregional control with less morbidity, the authors assessed the ability of drug-loaded polymeric expansile nanoparticles to migrate from the site of tumor to regional lymph nodes, locally deliver a chemotherapeutic payload, and prevent primary tumor growth as well as lymph node metastases. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Knockdown of Prolyl-4-Hydroxylase Domain 2 Inhibits Tumor Growth of Human Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells by Affecting TGF-β1 Processing
Investigators established prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain enzymes 2 knockdown clones of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and analyzed their tumor forming potential in a SCID mouse model. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Maintenance of S-Nitrosothiol Homeostasis Plays an Important Role in Growth Suppression of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Tumors
Protein denitrosylation by thioredoxin reductase is key for maintaining S-nitrosothiol (SNO) homeostasis, although its role in tumor progression is unknown. Therefore, researchers assessed the role of altered SNO homeostasis in breast cancer cells. [Breast Cancer Res] Full Article

Cell Specific CD44 Expression in Breast Cancer Requires the Interaction of AP-1 and NFκB with a Novel cis-Element
Scientists identified a novel cis-element of the CD44 directs gene expression in breast cancer cells in a cell type specific manner. They further identified key trans-acting factor binding sites and nuclear factors AP-1 and NFκB that are involved in the regulation of cell-specific CD44 expression. [PloS One] Full Article

Feline Mammary Carcinoma Stem Cells Are Tumorigenic, Radioresistant, Chemoresistant and Defective in Activation of the ATM/p53 DNA Damage Pathway
Cancer stem cells were identified in a feline mammary carcinoma cell line by demonstrating expression of CD133 and utilizing the tumor sphere assay. A population of cells was identified that had an invasive, mesenchymal phenotype, expressed markers of pluripotency and enhanced tumor formation in the NOD-SCID mouse and chick embryo models. [Vet J] Full Article

Activating HER2 Mutations in HER2 Gene Amplification Negative Breast Cancer
Data from eight breast cancer genome-sequencing projects identified 25 patients with HER2 somatic mutations in cancers lacking HER2 gene amplification. To determine the phenotype of these mutations, investigators functionally characterized 13 HER2 mutations using in vitro kinase assays, protein structure analysis, cell culture, and xenograft experiments. [Cancer Discov] Abstract | Press Release

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Reproductive Factors and Risk of Estrogen Receptor Positive, Triple-Negative, and HER2-Neu Overexpressing Breast Cancer among Women 20-44 Years of Age
Using data from a population-based case-control study of women 20-44 years of age, researchers assessed the relationships between various reproductive factors and risk of estrogen receptor positive, triple-negative, and HER2-overexpressing breast cancers. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin in Combination as First- or Second-Line Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Wisconsin Oncology Network Trial
This Phase II study evaluated the combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin among patients with metastatic breast cancer being treated in the first- or second-line setting. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol] Abstract

Myriad Genetics’ HRD Test Predicts Response to Platinum Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Myriad Genetics, Inc. announced that a presentation entitled “Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) score predicts pathologic response following neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy in triple-negative and BRCA1/2 mutation-associated breast cancer” was presented. The study demonstrated that Myriad’s HRD test strongly predicts which primary tumors will respond to platinum-based combination therapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. [Press release from Myriad Genetics, Inc. discussing research presented at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center-American Association for Cancer Research San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio] Press Release

Researchers Develop Novel 3D Culture System for Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have developed a novel, 3D culture system that mimics the environment surrounding these cancer cells. This model could be used to test new anticancer drugs capable of inhibiting the spread of inflammatory breast cancer tumors. [Press release from Fox Chase Cancer Center discussing research presented at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center-American Association for Cancer Research San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio] Press Release

Vanderbilt Study Finds Diverse Genetic Alterations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers
Most triple-negative breast cancer patients who were treated with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor prior to surgery still had multiple genetic mutations in their tumor cells, according to a study by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators. [Press release from Vanderbilt University Medical Center discussing research presented at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center-American Association for Cancer Research San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio] Press Release

Devicor Announces FDA Approves Mammotome® Revolve™ Biopsy System
Devicor® Medical Products, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mammotome® revolve™, a dual vacuum-assisted biopsy system, for use on patients. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Avelas Biosciences Closes $7.65 Million Series A, Advances Real-Time Tumor Visualization Technology Toward Development
Avelas Biosciences announced that it has closed a $7.65 million Series A round of financing. Avelas will use the funding to advance the Avelas Cancer Illuminator™  towards clinical studies for the visualization of cancerous lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Stem Cells & Cancer
April 21-26, 2013
Les Diablerets, Switzerland

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

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Laboratory Heads – Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Biology (RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology)

Assistant Professor – Breast Cancer (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

Principal Investigator – Cancer Research (Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal)

Postdoctoral Position – Genetic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer (Rush University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Functional Characterization of Novel Candidate Oncogenes Implicated in Breast Cancer (The Netherlands Cancer Institute)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 55,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Mammary Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.