Mammary Cell News Volume 6.26 | Jul 10 2014

Spatial Control of Membrane Receptor Function Using Ligand Nanocalipers
Scientists developed rationally designed DNA origami nanostructures modified with ligands at well-defined positions. Using these ‘nanocalipers’ to present ephrin ligands, they showed that the nanoscale spacing of ephrin-A5 directs the levels of EphA2 receptor activation in human breast cancer cells. [Nat Methods]
Abstract | Press Release

Therapeutic Targeting of Integrin αvβ6 in Breast Cancer
Using antibody blockade and siRNA knockdown of integrin subunit beta6 (β6) in breast cell lines, the role of αvβ6 in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 biology (expression, proliferation, invasion, growth in vivo) was assessed by flow cytometry, MTT, Transwell invasion, proximity ligation assay, and xenografts, respectively. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Inhibition of BMP Signaling Suppresses Metastasis in Mammary Cancer
Investigators show that human breast cancers display active bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, which is rarely downregulated or homozygously deleted. They used DMH1, a BMP antagonist, in MMTV.PyVmT expressing mice. Treatment with DMH1 reduced lung metastasis and the tumors were less proliferative and more apoptotic. [Oncogene] Abstract

Sequencing of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Populations Indicates a Dynamic Conversion between Differentiation States In Vivo
Researchers undertook exome sequencing of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) from 12 breast cancer patients, along with paired primary tumor samples. Their analysis revealed that the majority of somatic mutations are shared between CSCs and bulk primary tumor, with similar frequencies in the two. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Circulating Cell-Free Cancer-Testis MAGE-A RNA, BORIS RNA, let-7b and miR-202 in the Blood of Patients with Breast Cancer and Benign Breast Diseases
The serum levels of melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) and BORIS mRNA, as well as let-7b were significantly higher in patients with invasive carcinomas than in patients with benign breast diseases or healthy women, whereas the levels of miR-202 were elevated in both patient cohorts. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Emerging Role of Long Non-Coding RNA SOX2OT in SOX2 Regulation in Breast Cancer
Researchers show that the expression of SOX2 and SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT) is concordant in breast cancer, differentially expressed in estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer samples and that both are up-regulated in suspension culture conditions that favor growth of stem cell phenotypes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Morin, a Flavonoid from Moraceae, Suppresses Growth and Invasion of the Highly Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB‑231 Partly through Suppression of the Akt Pathway
Researchers investigated the anticancer effects of morin on highly metastatic human breast cancer cells. Results showed that morin significantly inhibited the colony forming ability of highly metastatic MDA-MB‑231 breast cancer cells from low doses (50 μM) without cytotoxicity. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Retroviral-Infection Increases Tumorigenic Potential of MDA-MB-231 Breast Carcinoma Cells by Expanding an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH1) Positive Stem-Cell Like Population
Scientists demonstrate that transduction of human breast carcinoma cells (MDA-MB231) with LXSN and QCXIP retroviral vectors causes significant increases in growth rate, clonogenic fraction, and ALDH1 positive cells, which is associated with increased steady-state levels of cancer stem cell populations. [Redox Biol] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEACH

Feasibility Study of Personalized Peptide Vaccination for Metastatic Recurrent Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
Scientists developed a novel regimen of personalized peptide vaccination (PPV), in which vaccine antigens are individually selected from a pool of different peptide candidates based on the pre-existing host immunity. They conducted a Phase II study of PPV for metastatic recurrent breast cancer patients to investigate the feasibility of PPV for metastatic recurrent triple-negative breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

TBCRC 018: Phase II Study of Iniparib in Combination with Irinotecan to Treat Progressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Investigators evaluated the safety and efficacy of iniparib, a small molecule anti-cancer agent that alters reactive oxygen species tumor metabolism and penetrates the blood brain barrier, with the topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan in patients with triple negative breast cancer brain metastases. [Breast Cancer Res Treat]
Abstract

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Compugen Discloses Achievement of Milestone in Cancer Immunotherapy Collaboration with Bayer
Compugen Ltd. disclosed that it has achieved the initial milestone in the cancer immunotherapy collaboration it entered with Bayer HealthCare. The collaboration provides for the development and commercialization of therapeutic antibodies against two checkpoint protein candidates discovered by Compugen. [Compugen Ltd.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Research (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)

PhD Candidate – Mammary Stem Cell Biology (University of Amsterdam)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Biology (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Associates – Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland (Princeton University)

Postdoctoral Candidates – Cell Biology (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer and RNA Research (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Research Associates – Pattern Formation during Branching Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland (Princeton University)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Metastasis (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Scientist – Mammary Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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