Mammary Cell News Volume 6.35 | Sep 11 2014

Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme Ubc13 Controls Breast Cancer Metastasis through a TAK1-p38 MAP Kinase Cascade
Scientists show that Ubc13, an E2 enzyme that catalyzes K63-linked protein polyubiquitination, is largely dispensable for primary mammary tumor growth but is required for metastatic spread and lung colonization by breast cancer cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Effect of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Inactivation on Mouse Mammary Gland Development and Oncogenesis
The authors report that WAP-Cre-mediated deletion of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in the mammary epithelium results in activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induces mammary intraepithelial neoplasia that progresses to squamous transdifferentiation and development of adenosquamous carcinomas at six months. [Oncogene] Full Article

Twist1 Expression Induced by Sunitinib Accelerates Tumor Cell Vasculogenic Mimicry by Increasing the Population of CD133⁺ Cells in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Researchers analyzed the effects of an antiangiogenic agent on vasculogenic mimicry in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Tientsin Albino 2 mice engrafted with mouse TNBC cells and nude mice engrafted with human breast cancer cell lines with TNBC or non-TNBC phenotypes were administered sunitinib and analyzed to determine tumor progression, survival, microcirculation, and oxygen concentration. [Mol Cancer]
Abstract | Full Article

Loss of LKB1 Disrupts Breast Epithelial Cell Polarity and Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis and Invasion
Recent studies have indicated that LKB1 is related to breast tumorigenesis and breast cancer progression. The LKB1 expressions in metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer cell lines were compared. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Smurf2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Modulates Proliferation and Invasiveness of Breast Cancer Cells in a CNKSR2 Dependent Manner
Investigators examined the effect of Smurf2 knockdown on the tumorigenic potential of human breast cancer cells emphasizing more on proliferative signaling pathway. [Cell Div] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Impact of the Addition of Carboplatin and/or Bevacizumab to Neoadjuvant Once-per-Week Paclitaxel followed by Dose-Dense Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide on Pathologic Complete Response Rates in Stage II to III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: CALGB 40603 (Alliance)
One third of patients with triple-negative breast cancer achieve pathologic complete response with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CALGB 40603, a 2 × 2 factorial, open-label, randomized Phase II trial, evaluated the impact of adding carboplatin and/or bevacizumab. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

The Effects of Soy Supplementation on Gene Expression in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Investigators examined the effects of soy supplementation on breast cancer-related genes and pathways. Gene expression associated with soy intake and high plasma genistein defines a signature characterized by overexpression of FGFR2 and genes that drive cell cycle and proliferation pathways. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Full Article | Press Release

Phase I Clinical Trial of Nintedanib Plus Paclitaxel in Early HER-2-Negative Breast Cancer (CNIO-BR-01-2010/GEICAM-2010-10 Study)
Previous small-molecule antiangiogenics have compromised chemotherapy dose intensity in breast cancer. Researchers present a Phase I trial of a novel selective agent, nintedanib, plus standard chemotherapy in early breast cancer. [Br J Cancer] Abstract | Press Release

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Breast Cancer Researcher Finds Success with Once-Weekly Regimen
An experimental regimen of once-weekly breast irradiation following lumpectomy provides more convenience to patients at a lower cost, results in better completion rates of prescribed radiation treatment, and produces cosmetic outcomes comparable to the current standard of daily radiation. [Press release from University of Louisville discussing research presented at the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breast Cancer Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

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Ascend Biopharmaceuticals Clinical Trial Program Update
Ascend Biopharmaceuticals has released an update on the clinical trial pipeline for its lead immunotherapy products treating basal cell carcinoma and breast cancer. Ascend has also announced plans to begin a Phase Ib study on a therapeutic cancer vaccine for breast cancer, ASN-004, in the second half of 2015. [Ascend Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.] Press Release

FDA Removes Partial Clinical Hold on OncoMed’s Ipafricept
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the partial clinical hold on the company’s ipafricept Phase I clinical trials. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Sunshine Biopharma Negotiating with CRO’s to Initiate Master Drug File for Adva-27a Anticancer Compound
Sunshine Biopharma Inc. announced that it is currently negotiating with several Contract Research Organizations (CRO’s) with the intent to engage one of them for the purposes of initiating, compiling and managing a regulatory master drug file for Adva-27a, the company’s flagship anticancer compound. [Sunshine Biopharma 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)

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NEW PhD Position – Breast Cancer Research (University of Iceland Biomedical Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cell Death of Normal Tissue Stem Cells (Sloan-Kettering Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Translational Research (University of Houston – College of Pharmacy)

PhD Position – Breast Cancer Stem Cells (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cell Cycle Regulatory Pathways in Breast Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Research (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Metastasis (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

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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