LABORATORY RESEARCH Cell Type-Restricted Activity of hnRNPM Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis via Regulating Alternative Splicing The authors uncovered a splicing-mediated pathway that is essential for breast cancer metastasis. They showed that the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNPM) promotes breast cancer metastasis by activating the switch of alternative splicing that occurs during epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [Genes Dev] Abstract Wide-Scale Alterations in Interchromosomal Organization in Breast Cancer Cells: Defining a Network of Interacting Chromosomes The interchromosomal spatial positionings of a subset of human chromosomes was examined in the human breast cell line MCF10A and its malignant counterpart MCF10CA1a. The nine chromosomes selected cover a wide range in size and gene density and compose ~40% of the total human genome. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract The ShcA Adaptor Activates AKT Signaling to Potentiate Breast Tumor Angiogenesis by Stimulating VEGF mRNA Translation in a 4E-BP-Dependent Manner Scientists demonstrate that ShcA-dependent activation of AKT, but not the RAS/MAPK pathway, induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by bolstering VEGF mRNA translation. Accordingly, ShcA drives breast tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo in a 4E-BP-dependent manner. [Oncogene] Abstract Involvement of Protein Kinase C α and δ Activities on the Induction of the Retinoic Acid System in Mammary Cancer Cells Due to the cytostatic and differentiating effects of retinoids, investigators evaluated whether the crosstalk between the retinoid system and the protein kinase C pathway could become a possible target for breast cancer treatment. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract Conditionally Reprogrammed Normal and Transformed Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells Display a Progenitor-Cell-Like Phenotype Scientists demonstrate that mouse mammary epithelial cells isolated from normal mammary glands or from mouse mammary tumor virus-Neu-induced mammary tumors, can be cultured indefinitely as conditionally reprogrammed cells on irradiated fibroblasts in the presence of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release The Anticancer Effect and Mechanism of α-Hederin on Breast Cancer Cells α-hederin showed strong inhibitory activity on the growth of breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis in these cells. α-hederin induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential which released Apaf-1 and cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into the cytosol, where they promoted caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation. [Int J Cancer] Abstract Simvastatin Radiosensitizes Differentiated and Stem-Like Breast Cancer Cell Lines and Is Associated with Improved Local Control in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Postmastectomy Radiation Investigators examined simvastatin radiosensitization of multiple subtypes of breast cancer cell lines in vitro in monolayer and mammosphere-based clonogenic assays and examined the therapeutic benefit of statin use on local control after postmastectomy radiation among inflammatory breast cancer patients. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Phase I/Ib Study of Olaparib and Carboplatin in BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation-Associated Breast or Ovarian Cancer with Biomarker Analyses Olaparib has single-agent activity against breast/ovarian cancer in germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. Researchers hypothesized addition of olaparib to carboplatin can be administered safely and yield preliminary clinical activity. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract Impact of Adding the Multikinase Inhibitor Sorafenib to Endocrine Therapy in Metastatic Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer A pilot Phase II study adding sorafenib to endocrine therapy in 11 patients with metastatic estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer was conducted. Primary end point was response by RECIST after three months of sorafenib. [Future Oncol] Full Article |