LABORATORY RESEARCH Erythropoietin Activates Cell Survival Pathways in Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells to Protect Them from Chemotherapy Investigators found that breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSC) isolated from patient tumors express the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor and respond to EPO treatment with increased proliferation and self-renewal. Importantly, EPO stimulation increased BCSC resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and activated cellular pathways responsible for survival and drug resistance. [Cancer Res] Abstract A New Platinum(II) Compound Anticancer Drug Candidate with Selective Cytotoxicity for Breast Cancer Cells To confirm that [Pt(O,O′-acac)(γ-acac)(DMS)] has the potentiality for therapeutic intervention, researchers studied its effects in primary cultured epithelial breast cells obtained from cancers and also from the corresponding histologically proven non-malignant tissue adjacent to the tumor. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Mammary Carcinoma Cell Derived Cyclooxygenase 2 Suppresses Tumor Immune Surveillance by Enhancing Intratumoral Immune Checkpoint Activity Mammary tumor onset and multiplicity were examined in ErbB2 transgenic mice that were deficient in mammary epithelial cell cyclooxygenase 2 compared to wild type. Tumors were analyzed by real time PCR, immune-staining and flow cytometry for proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune microenvironment. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article Disulfiram Targets Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Reverses Resistance and Cross-Resistance in Acquired Paclitaxel-Resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Scientists found that chemoresistant MDA-MB-231PAC10 cells are highly cross-resistant to paclitaxel, cisplatin, docetaxel and doxorubicin. The MDA-MB-231PAC10 cells are quiescent with significantly longer doubling time. This may be caused by high expression of p21Waf1. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract Leptin Receptor Maintains Cancer Stem-Like Properties in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells The authors tested the hypothesis that the Leptin Receptor (LEPR), expressed in mammary cancer cells, is necessary for maintaining cancer stem cell-like and metastatic properties. They silenced LEPR via shRNA lentivirus transduction and determined that expression of stem cell self-renewal transcription factors NANOG, SOX2, and OCT4 are inhibited. [Endocr-Relat Cancer] Abstract Progesterone Receptor and Stat5 Signaling Crosstalk through RANKL in Mammary Epithelial Cells Scientists used a primary mouse mammary epithelial cell culture system to define the molecular mechanism by which progesterone regulates the expression of target gene effectors of proliferation including the paracrine factor RANKL. [Mol Endocrinol] Abstract Sulforaphane Inhibits Mammary Adipogenesis by Targeting Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells The authors examined the role of mesenchymal stem cell-differentiated adipocytes on breast cancer cell migration, and tested the effects of sulforaphane on adipocyte-breast cancer cell interaction. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Prediction of Late Distant Recurrence in Patients with Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Prospective Comparison of the Breast-Cancer Index (BCI) Assay, 21-Gene Recurrence Score, and IHC4 in the TransATAC Study Population Scientists compared the prognostic ability of the BCI assay, 21-gene recurrence score, and an immunohistochemical prognostic model (IHC4) for both early and late recurrence in patients with estrogen-receptor-positive, node-negative disease who took part in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) clinical trial. [Lancet Oncol] Abstract | Press Release Phase I Trial Combining Temozolomide plus Lapatinib for the Treatment of Brain Metastases in Patients with HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: The LAPTEM Trial The authors assessed the combination of lapatinib and temozolomide as treatment for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and brain metastases. [Ann Oncol] Abstract Loss of HER2 Positivity and Prognosis after Neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Investigators evaluated the prognostic impact of HER2 loss in patients with HER2-positive disease treated with neoadjuvant therapy with or without anti-HER2 agents. [Ann Oncol] Abstract |