Mammary Cell News Volume 5.50 | Dec 19 2013

TGF-Beta Receptor Type-2 Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Survival and Is a Prognostic Marker in Pre-Menopausal Breast Cancer
To determine the role of the fibroblastic transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway in breast cancer cells, researchers used cell contact-dependent cell growth and clonogenicity assays, which showed that knockdown of TGFB receptor type 2 in cancer-associated fibroblasts resulted in increased cell growth, proliferation and clonogenic survival. [Oncogene] Abstract

Inhibition of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 Signaling through Sphingosine Kinase 1 Sensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells to EGF Receptor Blockade
Scientists investigated whether co-targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and SphK1/S1P pathways in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells causes increased growth inhibition compared to blocking either alone, and might therefore have novel therapeutic potential in TNBC. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Evidence that Estrogen Receptor α Interferes with Adiponectin Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Growth
Researchers demonstrated that adiponectin induces a dichotomic effect on breast cancer growth. It stimulates growth in ERα+ MCF-7 cells while inhibiting proliferation of ERα- MDA-MB-231 cells. Notably, only in MCF-7 cells adiponectin exposure exerts a rapid activation of MAPK phosphorylation, which was markedly reduced when knockdown of the ERα gene occurred. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Human Breast Tumor Cells Are More Resistant to Cardiac Glycoside Toxicity than Non-Tumorigenic Breast Cells
The authors investigated the effects of cardiotonic steroids compounds, ouabain, digitoxin, and bufalin, on cell growth and survival in cell lines exhibiting the full spectrum of non-cancerous to malignant phenotypes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Lin28 Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness via Downregulation of Let-7a in Breast Cancer Cells
Investigators previously demonstrated that let-7 regulates self-renewal and tumorigenicity of breast cancer stem cells. In this study, they demonstrated that Lin28 was highly expressed in mesenchymal type cells, but it was barely detectable in epithelial type cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

In Vitro Assessment of the Effects of Anti-HER2 Monoclonal Antibodies on Proliferation of HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells
Researchers recently established a panel of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing different epitopes within the extracellular domain of HER2. The antiproliferative effect of these mAbs were investigated on HER2-overexpressing human breast cancer cell line BT474, using radioactive thymidine incorporation assay. [Immunotherapy] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Epirubicin and Docetaxel with or without Capecitabine as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Early Breast Cancer: Final Results of a Randomized Phase III Study
This randomized Phase III trial compared pathologic complete response rates of early breast cancer following neoadjuvant epirubicin-docetaxel ± capecitabine, and evaluated the addition of trastuzumab in HER2-positive tumors. [Ann Oncol] Abstract

Role of HER3 Expression and PTEN Loss in Patients with HER2-Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Who Received Taxane plus Trastuzumab Treatment
Scientists investigated the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER3) and PTEN expression in patients with HER2-overexpressing MBC. One hundred twenty-five MBC patients who were treated with taxane plus trastuzumab chemotherapy as first-line therapy were included in this analysis. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract

Adoptive Immunotherapy of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Present and Future
This review aims to dissect bone marrow-derived cellular antitumor immune responses and translational immunologic treatment options regarding their actual relevance to patients’ clinical benefit and their future directions in breast cancer management. [Cancer Metastasis Rev] Abstract

The Biology of Zinc Transport in Mammary Epithelial Cells: Implications for Mammary Gland Development, Lactation, and Involution
The authors review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which mammary epithelial cells utilize zinc with a focus on the transport of zinc into discrete subcellular organelles for specific cellular functions during mammary gland development, lactation, and involution. [J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mammary cell research field.

Additional Drug Shows Promise for Women with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
In a nationwide study of women with triple-negative breast cancer, adding the chemotherapy drug carboplatin or the angiogenesis inhibitor Avastin to standard chemotherapy drugs brought a sharp increase in the number of patients whose tumors shrank away completely. [Press release from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discussing research presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antionio] Press Release

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Ventana Announces HER2 Companion Diagnostic to Identify Breast Cancer Patients for Roche’s Latest Targeted Medicines, Perjeta and Kadcyla
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. announced the VENTANA HER2/neu Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody assay as a companion diagnostic for detecting HER2 protein expression for patients who, in countries where they are approved, may be appropriate candidates for Perjeta^® and Kadcyla^TM. [Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.] Press Release

VM Medical Center in Montreal Has Successfully Treated Its First Patient
Medifocus, Inc. announced that VM Medical Center in Montreal, its Principal Investigational Site in Canada for its APA-1000 Focused Microwave Breast Thermotherapy System Pivotal Phase III clinical study has successfully treated its first patient enrolled. [Medifocus, Inc.] Press Release

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)

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

Postdoctoral Associate – Breast Cancer Development (University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Breast Cancer Research (Northwestern University)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

PhD Position – Integrated Classification of Breast Cancers to Optimize Treatment Protocols (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre)

Assistant, Associate, or Research Professor – Breast Cancer (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell Biology (UC – College of Medicine)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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