LABORATORY RESEARCH The Reprogramming of Tumor Stroma by HSF1 Is a Potent Enabler of Malignancy Researchers report that the transcriptional regulator heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is frequently activated in cancer-associated fibroblasts, where it is a potent enabler of malignancy. In early-stage breast and lung cancer, high stromal HSF1 activation is strongly associated with poor patient outcome. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release ATM-Mediated Stabilization of ZEB1 Promotes DNA Damage Response and Radioresistance through CHK1 Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with characteristics of breast cancer stem cells, including chemoresistance and radioresistance. Researchers identified an EMT-inducing transcription factor, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), as a regulator of radiosensitivity and DNA damage response. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release The Co-Factor of LIM Domains (CLIM/LDB/NLI) Maintains Basal Mammary Epithelial Stem Cells and Promotes Breast Tumorigenesis The mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of the basal cell compartment are currently unknown. Researchers explored these mechanisms in the basal cell compartment and identified the Co-factor of LIM domains as a transcriptional regulator that maintains these cells. [PLoS Genet] Full Article A Distinct DNA Methylation Signature Defines Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Predicts Cancer Outcome Scientists used a whole genome promoter microarray to establish the DNA methylation portraits of breast cancer stem cells (bCSC) and non-bCSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract SHON, A Novel Secreted Protein, Regulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β Signaling in Human Breast Cancer Cells Investigators show that ectopic overexpression of SHON in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells is sufficient for cells to acquire the mesenchymal traits, as well as the enhanced cell migration and invasion, along with the epithelial stem cell properties characterized by increased CD44high/CD24low subpopulation and mammosphere-forming ability. [Int J Cancer] Abstract MicroRNA-9 Is Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Breast Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype, and Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer Investigators evaluated the expression levels of these microRNAs in human breast cancer samples and analyzed their relationship with clinicopathologic features of the tumor including breast cancer subtype, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, breast cancer stem cell phenotype, and prognosis. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract Resveratrol Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells and Induces Autophagy via Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Researchers investigated the effects of resveratrol on breast cancer stem cells. Resveratrol significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSCs) isolated from MCF-7 and SUM159, and decreased the percentage of BCSCs population, consequently reducing the size and number of mammospheres in non-adherent spherical clusters. [PLoS One] Full Article Expression of miR-34c Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest in Breast Cancer Cells MicroRNA-34 (miR-34) is a family of three miRNAs that have been reported to function as tumor suppressor miRNAs and show decreased expression in various cancers. Scientists examined functions of miR-34c in basal-like breast cancer cells. [BMC Cancer] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Prognostic Relevance of Disseminated Tumor Cells from the Bone Marrow of Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients – Results from a Large Single-Center Analysis Investigators determined the prognostic relevance of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) from the bone marrow stage I-III breast cancer patients. They analyzed the impact of DTC detection on adjuvant bisphosphonate treatment efficacy. [Eur J Cancer] Abstract Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients Induces miR-34a and miR-122 Expression The authors describe the modifications of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) profile after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. The expression of 188 circulating miRNAs was assessed in the plasma of 25 patients before and after NAC by RT-qPCR. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract |