LABORATORY RESEARCH Targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling with Oncolytic Virotherapy Disrupts Tumor Vasculature and Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastases Because the CXCR4 receptor for the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12) chemokine is one of the key stimuli involved in signaling interactions between tumor cells and their stromal microenvironment, investigators used oncolytic virotherapy with a CXCR4 antagonist to target the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in a triple-negative 4T1 breast carcinoma in syngeneic mice. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Estrogen Mediated-Activation of miR-191/425 Cluster Modulates Tumorigenicity of Breast Cancer Cells Depending on Estrogen Receptor Status Researchers established that the microRNA-191/425 (miR-191/425) cluster is transcriptionally dependent on the host gene, DALRD3, and that the hormone 17β-estradiol (estrogen) controls expression of both miR-191/425 and DALRD3. [PLoS Genet] Full Article Inflammation Induced by MMP-9 Enhances Tumor Regression of Experimental Breast Cancer Scientists investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in regulating innate antitumor immunity in breast cancer. [J Immunol] Abstract Estrogen Increases the Activity of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells through Paracrine Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Notch Signaling Investigators tested the effects of estrogen on cancer stem cell activity in vitro and in vivo and investigated which paracrine signaling pathways locally mediate estrogen effects. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Lipid Metabolism Genes in Contralateral Unaffected Breast and Estrogen Receptor Status of Breast Cancer The contralateral unaffected breast of women with unilateral breast cancer (cases) is a good model for defining subtype-specific risk because women with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative index primaries are at high risk for subsequent ER-negative primary cancers. Researchers conducted random fine needle aspiration of the unaffected breasts of cases. [Cancer Prev Res] Abstract | Press Release Short Hairpin RNA Targeting Notch1 Sensitizes Breast Cancer Stem Cell to Paclitaxel The authors confirmed that paclitaxel enriched breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. They then demonstrated that Notch1 was overexpressed in breast CSCs isolated from paclitaxel-treated MCF-7 cells compared to non-CSCs. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract Pterostilbene, a Bioactive Component of Blueberries, Suppresses the Generation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells within Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis via Modulating NF-κB/MicroRNA 448 Circuit Using flowcytometric and Boyden chamber assay, scientists showed MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells cocultured with M2 tumor-associated macrophages exhibited increased percentage of CD44+/CD24− cancer stem cell population and migratory/invasive abilities. [Mol Nutr Food Res] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Randomized Trial of Lapatinib versus Placebo Added to Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer This Phase III, randomized, double-blind study assessed the efficacy and safety of lapatinib plus paclitaxel compared with placebo plus paclitaxel in patients with newly diagnosed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract A Randomized Trial to Assess the Biological Activity of Short-Term (Pre-Surgical) Fulvestrant 500 mg plus Anastrozole versus Fulvestrant 500 mg Alone or Anastrozole Alone on Primary Breast Cancer In a double-blind, multicenter trial, 121 patients received: fulvestrant 500 mg on day 1 plus anastrozole 1 mg/day for 14-21 days; fulvestrant plus anastrozole placebo; or fulvestrant placebo plus anastrozole, 2-3 weeks before surgery. estrogen-receptor, progesterone-receptor, and Ki67 expression were determined from tumor biopsies before treatment and at surgery. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article |