Mammary Cell News Volume 5.06 | Feb 14 2013

LABORATORY RESEARCH

TGF-β Inhibition Enhances Chemotherapy Action against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Researchers analyzed RNA expression in matched pairs of primary breast cancer biopsies before and after chemotherapy. Biopsies after chemotherapy displayed increased RNA transcripts of genes associated with cancer stem-like cells and TGF-β signaling. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

ATIP3, a Novel Prognostic Marker of Breast Cancer Patient Survival, Limits Cancer Cell Migration and Slows Metastatic Progression by Regulating Microtubule Dynamics
The authors investigated whether ATIP3, the major product of 8p22 MTUS1 gene, may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for metastatic breast tumors. They showed that ATIP3 is a prognostic marker for overall survival among patients with breast cancer. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Murine Microenvironment Metaprofiles Associate with Human Cancer Etiology and Intrinsic Subtypes
Scientists developed a mouse model that captures radiation effects on host biology by transplanting unirradiated Trp53 null mammary tissue to sham or irradiated hosts. Gene expression profiles of tumors that arose in irradiated mice are distinct from those that arose in naïve hosts. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Down-Regulation of HER3 by a Novel Antisense Oligonucleotide, EZN-3920, Improves the Antitumor Activity of EGFR and HER2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Animal Models
The authors describe a locked nucleic acid-based human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) antisense oligonucleotide, EZN-3920, that specifically down-modulated the expression of HER3, which was associated with growth inhibition. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Inhibition of HSP90 with AUY922 Induces Synergy in HER2 Amplified Trastuzumab Resistant Breast and Gastric Cancer
Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) enables the activation of many client proteins of which the most clinically validated is HER2. NVP-AUY922, a potent HSP90 inhibitor, is currently in Phase II clinical trials. To explore its potential clinical utility in HER2-amplified breast and gastric cancers, scientists evaluated the effect of AUY922 alone and in combination with trastuzumab in both trastuzumab-sensitive and resistant models. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Integrated MicroRNA and mRNA Signatures Associated with Survival in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
To stratify triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs), researchers determined microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles, as well as expression profiles of a cancer-focused mRNA panel, in tumor, adjacent non-tumor and lymph node metastatic lesion tissues, from 173 women with TNBCs; they linked specific miRNA signatures to patient survival and used miRNA/mRNA anti-correlations to identify clinically and genetically different TNBC subclasses. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

The Effectiveness of Cucurbitacin B in BRCA1 Defective Breast Cancer Cells
Scientists examined the biological effects on cancer cells of cucurbitacin B extracted from a Thai herb, Trichosanthes cucumerina L. The wild type BRCA1, mutant BRCA1, BRCA1 knocked-down and BRCA1 overexpressed breast cancer cells were treated with the cucurbitacin B and determined for the inhibitory effects on the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, anchorage-independent growth. [PLoS One] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Tetrathiomolybdate-Associated Copper Depletion Decreases Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Women with Breast Cancer at High Risk of Relapse
Researchers explored the effect of tetrathiomolybdate, an anti-angiogenic copper chelator, on endothelial progenitor cells in patients at high risk for breast cancer recurrence. [Ann Oncol] Abstract | Press Release

Phenotypic Drift as a Cause for Intratumoral Morphological Heterogeneity of Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma Not Otherwise Specified
In a study of 162 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) not otherwise specified (NOS) patients, the authors investigated whether the distribution of different types of morphological structures is related to the basic clinicopathological parameters of IDC NOS. [BioResearch Open Access] Full Article

Research Improving Breast Cancer Treatment by Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells
A Kansas State University professor’s research on breast cancer stem cells may help improve survival rates by preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis – the major causes of death among breast cancer patients. Anna Zolkiewska, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, has received a four-year $1.245 million grant from the National Cancer Institute – at the National Institutes of Health – to study a promising breast cancer marker called ADAM12. [Kansas State University] Press Release

Novian Health Raises $11 Million for Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Novian Health Inc., developer of Novilase^® breast therapy, said it has completed a funding round totaling $11 million. iNetworks LLC led the round of Series A preferred share financing, which also included previous and new investors. [Novian Health Inc.] 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)

Postdoctoral Position – Gene Regulation in Breast Cancer/Stem Cell Biology (UC College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Impact of Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway in Genome Stability and Breast Cancer (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics Position in Cancer Research (San Raffaele Scientific Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Regulation of Gene Expression in Breast Cancer (University of Cincinnati)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Breast Cancer Campaign (University of Oxford)

PhD Student – Breast Cancer Biology (IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Oncology)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology and Functional Genomics (North Carolina Central University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research)

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