LABORATORY RESEARCH Differential Regulation of Estrogen Receptor a Expression in Breast Cancer Cells by Metastasis-Associated Protein 1 Researchers showed that silencing of metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) reduced the level of expression of estrogen receptor (ER)a in ERa-positive cells but increased it in ERa-negative cells. In both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, MTA1 was recruited to the region +146 to +461 bp downstream of the transcription start site of ESR1. [Cancer Res] Abstract Angiopoietin-2 Mediates Blood-Brain Barrier Impairment and Colonization of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells in Brain Using in vivo mouse models for breast cancer metastasis in brain, researchers observed that triple-negative breast cancer cells crossed the blood-brain barrier, lodged in the brain microvasculature and remained adjacent to brain microvascular endothelial cells. [J Pathol] Abstract Estrogen-Dependent Sushi Domain Containing 3 Regulates Cytoskeleton Organization and Migration in Breast Cancer Cells Sushi domain containing 3 (SUSD3) is a significantly differentially expressed gene, with 3.38-fold higher mRNA levels in aromatase inhibitors-responsive breast tumors vs non-responders. SUSD3 was highly expressed in estrogen receptor-alpha (ERa)-positive breast tumors and treatment with estradiol increased SUSD3 expression in ERa-positive breast cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract Toxicity of Nano Molybdenum Trioxide toward Invasive Breast Cancer Cells Scientists investigated the cytotoxicity of molybdenum trioxide nanoplates towards invasive breast cancer iMCF-7 cells by analyzing morphological changes and performing Western blot and flow cytometry analyses. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract The Anthelmintic Drug Niclosamide Induces Apoptosis, Impairs Metastasis and Reduces Immunosuppressive Cells in Breast Cancer Model The potency of niclosamide on breast cancer was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Researchers found that niclosamide showed a dramatic growth inhibition against breast cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis of 4T1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. [PLoS One] Full Article INPP4B Overexpression Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of PARP Inhibitor AG014699 in MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Researchers used a triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 without expression of inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase type II (INPP4B) as the study model and a lentiviral system to stably overexpress INPP4B gene in MDA-MB-231 cells. They detected that the overexpression of INPP4B could significantly suppress cell proliferation and block cell cycle progression in G1 phase via decreasing the protein level of phosphorylated AKT. [Tumor Biol] Abstract BMP9 Inhibits the Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Downregulating CCN2 (Connective Tissue Growth Factor, CTGF) Expression Scientists showed that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)9 inhibit the bone metastasis of breast cancer cells by activating the BMP/Smad signaling pathway and downregulating CTGF; however, when CTGF expression was maintained, the inhibitory effect of BMP9 on the MDA-MB-231 cells was abolished. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract Involvement of Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein (PTBP1) in Maintaining Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Malignant Properties Knockdown of PTBP1 expression substantially inhibited tumor cell growth, colony formation in soft agar and in vitro invasiveness of breast cancer cell lines, a result similar to what has been reported in ovarian cancer. [Oncogenesis] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Phase III Trial of Nonpegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Combination with Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Investigators conducted a randomized Phase III trial of first-line nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus trastuzumab and paclitaxel versus trastuzumab plus paclitaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. [Ann Oncol] Abstract Induction of Wnt-Inducible Signaling Protein-1 Correlates with Invasive Breast Cancer Oncogenesis and Reduced Type 1 Cell-Mediated Cytotoxic Immunity: A Retrospective Study Scientists found that type 1 cell-mediated cytotoxic immunity was correlated with increased survival in patients with invasive breast cancer, especially in patients with invasive triple negative breast cancer. Oncogenic transformation in invasive breast cancer was associated with an increase in Wnt-inducible signaling protein-1. [PLoS Comput Biol] Full Article |