LABORATORY RESEARCH Resolving Cancer-Stroma Interfacial Signaling and Interventions with Micropatterned Tumor-Stromal Assays A micropatterned tumor-stromal assay revealed a spatial distribution of phenotypes in concordance with human ​estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer samples, and heterogeneous drug activity relative to the tumor-stroma interface. Specifically, an unknown mechanism of ​reversine is shown in targeting tumor-stromal interfacial interactions using ​ER+ MCF-7 breast cancer and bone marrow-derived stromal cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract HSP90 Empowers Evolution of Resistance to Hormonal Therapy in Human Breast Cancer Models Guided by their previous work in pathogenic fungi, in which very modest heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibition impairs resistance to mechanistically diverse antifungals, researchers examined the effect of similarly modest HSP90 inhibition on the emergence of resistance to antiestrogens in breast cancer models. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Hematopoietic PBX-Interacting Protein (HPIP) Is Over Expressed in Breast Infiltrative Ductal Carcinoma and Regulates Cell Adhesion and Migration through Modulation of Focal Adhesion Dynamics Investigators show that HPIP expression is associated with stages of breast cancer where cell dissemination results in poor patient outcome. They found a novel association of HPIP with focal adhesion kinase regulating focal adhesion dynamics. [Oncogene] Abstract Targeting Type Iγ Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinase Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis Researchers report that type Iγ phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKIγ) is vital for breast cancer metastasis. Y639 of PIPKIγ can be phosphorylated by stimulation of EGF and hepatocyte growth factor, two promoting factors for breast cancer progression. [Oncogene] Abstract Neuregulin 1-Activated ERBB4 Interacts with YAP to Induce Hippo Pathway Target Genes and Promote Cell Migration Researchers found that ERBB4 activated the transcriptional coactivator YAP, which promotes organ and tissue growth and is inhibited by the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway. Overexpressing ERBB4 in cultured mammary epithelial cells or adding the ERBB4 ligand neuregulin 1 to breast cancer cell cultures promoted the expression of genes regulated by YAP, such as CTGF. [Sci Signal] Abstract ANG4043, a Novel Brain-Penetrant Peptide-mAb Conjugate, Is Efficacious against HER2-Positive Intracranial Tumors in Mice Scientists demonstrate that a conjugate between Angiopep-2 and an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) results in a new chemical entity, ANG4043, which retains in vitro binding affinity for the HER2 receptor and antiproliferative potency against HER2-positive BT-474 breast ductal carcinoma cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract | Press Release Xanthohumol Suppresses Estrogen-Signaling in Breast Cancer through the Inhibition of BIG3-PHB2 Interactions The authors focus on whether xanthohumol directly binds to the tumor suppressor protein prohibitin 2 (PHB2), forming a novel natural antitumor compound targeting the BIG3-PHB2 complex and acting as a pivotal modulator of E2/ERα signaling in breast cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Unraveling the Chromosome 17 Patterns of FISH in Interphase Nuclei: An In-Depth Analysis of the HER2 Amplicon and Chromosome 17 Centromere by Karyotyping, FISH and M-FISH in Breast Cancer Cells Investigators sought to elucidate the chromosome 17 centromere and HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) patterns of interphase nuclei by evaluating Chr17 rearrangements in metaphases of nine breast cancer cell lines and a primary culture from a triple negative breast carcinoma by using G-banding, FISH and multicolor-FISH (M-FISH). [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Weekly Docetaxel vs CMF as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Older Women with Early Breast Cancer: Final Results of the Randomized Phase III ELDA Trial Investigators tested whether weekly docetaxel is more effective than standard chemotherapy. They performed a multicenter, randomized Phase III study. Women aged 65 to 79, operated for breast cancer, with average to high risk of recurrence, were allocated to CMF or docetaxel every four weeks, for four or six cycles according to hormone-receptor status. [Ann Oncol] Abstract Neoadjuvant Treatment with Docetaxel plus Lapatinib, Trastuzumab, or Both followed by an Anthracycline Based Chemotherapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Results of the Randomized Phase II EORTC 10054 Study Neoadjuvant trials conducted using a double HER2-blockade with lapatinib and trastuzumab, combined with different paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy regimens, have shown high pathological complete response rates, but at the cost of important toxicity. This trial assessed the toxicity and activity of the combination of docetaxel with lapatinib and trastuzumab. [Ann Oncol] Abstract |