LABORATORY RESEARCH Inhibition of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models by Combinations of Antibodies to EGFR Breast tumors lacking expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and the estrogen and the progesterone receptors (triple-negative breast cancer; TNBC) are more aggressive than other disease subtypes, and no molecular targeted agents are currently available for their treatment. Because TNBC commonly displays EGF receptor (EGFR) expression, and combinations of monoclonal antibodies to EGFR effectively inhibit other tumor models, scientists addressed the relevance of this strategy to treatment of TNBC. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract High Throughput Kinase Inhibitor Screens Reveal Tribbles Homolog 3 and MAPK-ERK/TGFβ Pathways as Fundamental Notch Regulators in Breast Cancer Expression of the Notch ligand Jagged 1 and Notch activation promote poor-prognosis in breast cancer. Scientists used high throughput screens to identify elements responsible for Notch activation in this context. Chemical kinase inhibitor and kinase-specific small interfering RNA libraries were screened in a breast cancer cell line engineered to report Notch. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract A Requirement for Nedd9 in Luminal Progenitor Cells Prior to Mammary Tumorigenesis in MMTV-HER2/ErbB2 Mice Overexpression of the NEDD9/HEF1/Cas-L scaffolding protein is frequent, and drives invasion and metastasis in breast, head and neck, colorectal, melanoma, lung and other types of cancer. The authors examined the consequences of genetic ablation of Nedd9 in the MMTV-HER2/ERBB2/neu mouse mammary tumor model. [Oncogene] Abstract | Press Release Induction of Cells with Cancer Stem Cell Properties from Nontumorigenic Human Mammary Epithelial Cells by Defined Reprogramming Factors Investigators demonstrated that the introduction of defined reprogramming factors (OCT4, SOX2, Klf4 and c-Myc) into MCF-10A nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cells, followed by partial differentiation, transforms the bulk of cells into tumorigenic CD44+/CD24low cells with cancer stem cell properties. [Oncogene] Abstract CEACAM-1 Negatively Regulates Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Production by Breast Tumor Associated Macrophages that Mediate Tumor Angiogenesis Since macrophages are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer, but play important roles in normal breast, the authors hypothesized that carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM-1) down-regulation would lead to tumor promotion under inflammatory conditions. [Int J Cancer] Abstract Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers and HER3 Expression Are Predictors of Elisidepsin Treatment Response in Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines Researchers studied and characterized the mechanisms associated with sensitivity and resistance to elisidepsin treatment in a broad panel of tumor cell lines from breast and pancreas carcinomas, focusing on different factors involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the use of HER family receptors in predicting the in vitro drug response. [PLoS One] Full Article Syndecan-1 Modulates Beta-Integrin- and IL-6-Dependent Functions in Breast Cancer Cell Adhesion, Migration and Resistance to Irradiation Researchers evaluated the potential role of Syndecan-1 in modulating matrix-dependent breast cancer cell migration in the presence of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a potential involvement in resistance to irradiation in vitro. [FEBS J] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Bevacizumab plus Paclitaxel versus Bevacizumab plus Capecitabine as First-Line Treatment for HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: Interim Efficacy Results of the Randomized, Open-Label, Non-Inferiority, Phase III TURANDOT Trial Randomized Phase III trials in metastatic breast cancer have shown that combining bevacizumab with either paclitaxel or capecitabine significantly improves progression-free survival and response rate compared with chemotherapy alone but the relative efficacy of bevacizumab plus paclitaxel versus bevacizumab plus capecitabine has not been investigated. Researchers compared the efficacy of the two regimens. [Lancet Oncol] Abstract Bias in Reporting of End Points of Efficacy and Toxicity in Randomized, Clinical Trials for Women with Breast Cancer Phase III randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) assess clinically important differences in end points that reflect benefit to patients. Researchers evaluated the quality of reporting of the primary end point and of toxicity in RCTs for breast cancer. [Ann Oncol] Full Article | Press Release |