Mammary Cell News Volume 6.49 | Dec 18 2014

Exposure to the Polyester PET Precursor-Terephthalic Acid Induces and Perpetuates DNA Damage-Harboring Non-Malignant Human Breast Cells
Investigators show that terephthalic acid, a major chemical precursor of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers used for the storage of food and beverages, increased the ERα: ERβ ratio in multiple high-risk donor breast epithelial cells samples, suggesting an estrogenic effect. [Carcinogenesis] Full Article | Press Release

Blocking Autophagy Enhanced Cytotoxicity Induced by Recombinant Human Arginase in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
To explore new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) researchers studied the cytotoxicity of recombinant human arginase (rhArg) in five TNBC cells. They found that rhArg could inhibit cell growth in these five TNBC cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

miR-7-5p Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells Mainly by Targeting REGγ
Scientists found that the expression of proteasome activator subunit 3 (REGγ) is significantly upregulated in breast cancer, and that the knockdown of REGγ expression suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in vitro. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Calcitriol and Its Analogues Enhance the Antiproliferative Activity of Gefitinib in Breast Cancer Cells
Investigators evaluated the effects of the combined treatment of gefitinib with calcitriol or its analogs on cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. The combinations of gefitinib with calcitriol or its analogs were more effective to inhibit cell growth than each compound alone in all breast cancer cells studied. [J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol] Abstract

Metabolic Characterization of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Researchers characterized the metabolite profiles of triple negative breast cancer and investigated the metabolite profiles associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2/neu overexpression using ex vivo high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Amyloid-Beta Precursor Protein Promotes Cell Proliferation and Motility of Advanced Breast Cancer
Researchers studied the pathological role of amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) in breast cancer and revealed its potential mechanism. They found that the expression of APP is increased in mouse and human breast cancer cell lines, especially in the cell line possessing higher metastatic potential. [BMC Cancer]
Abstract | Full Article

Salinomycin Exerts Anticancer Effects on Human Breast Carcinoma MCF-7 Cancer Stem Cells via Modulation of Hedgehog Signaling
Salinomycin (Sal)’s ability to modulate the activity of key elements in the Hedgehog pathway was examined in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, as well as in a subpopulation of cancer stem cells identified within this cancer cell line. Researchers show that Sal inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration while also inducing apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. [Chem Biol Interact] Abstract

Kinome-Wide Screening of HER2⁺ Breast Cancer Cells for Molecules that Mediate Cell Proliferation or Sensitize Cells to Trastuzumab Therapy
To pinpoint the main kinases driving HER2 signaling, investigators performed a comprehensive small interfering RNA screen that identified loss of the HER2/HER3 heterodimer as having the most prominent inhibitory effect on the growth of HER2⁺ breast cancer cells. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Adjuvant Ovarian Suppression in Premenopausal Breast Cancer
Suppression of ovarian estrogen production reduces the recurrence of hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer in premenopausal women, but its value when added to tamoxifen is uncertain. Investigators randomly assigned 3066 premenopausal women to receive five years of tamoxifen, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, or exemestane plus ovarian suppression. [New Engl J Med] Full Article | Press Release

The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib in Combination with Letrozole versus Letrozole Alone as First-Line Treatment of Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative, Advanced Breast Cancer (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18): A Randomized Phase II Study
Investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of palbociclib in combination with letrozole as first-line treatment of patients with advanced, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. [Lancet Oncol]
Abstract | Press Release

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mammary cell research field.

Three San Antonio Studies Target Androgen in Breast Cancer
Three studies presented by University of Colorado Cancer Center researchers demonstrate the effects of blocking androgen receptors in breast cancer. [Press release from University of Colorado Cancer Center discussing research presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), San Antonio] Press Release

Novel Approach for Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Reported
Loyola researchers and collaborators have reported promising results from a novel therapeutic approach for women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. [Press release from Loyola University discussing research presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), San Antonio] Press Release

Newly-Identified Gene Mutation Could Help Explain How Breast Cancer Spreads
A newly-identified genetic mutation could increase our understanding of how breast cancer spreads and potentially guide treatment options for women with the disease. [Press release from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center discussing research presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), San Antonio] Press Release

The New Way to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Is “Made in Italy”
The association between paclitaxel and the drug reparixin appears safe and well tolerated in women with metastatic breast cancer. [Press release from Dompé Pharmaceutical discussing research presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), San Antonio] Press Release

From our sponsor: Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

International Breast Cancer Study Group, Breast International Group and Merck Announce Opening of International PANACEA Study of Patients with HER2⁺ Breast Cancer
The International Breast Cancer Study Group, Breast International Group, and Merck announced the opening of the PANACEA study, a global collaborative study exploring a new way to treat HER2⁺ breast cancer that has become resistant to the current standard of care. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Initiates DNA Immunotherapy Trial for Breast, Lung and Pancreatic Cancers
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced it has initiated a Phase I trial of its hTERT DNA immunotherapy alone or in combination with Inovio’s IL-12 immune activator in adults with breast, lung, or pancreatic cancer at high risk of relapse after surgery and other cancer treatments. [Inovio Pharmaceuticals, 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)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the mammary cell community.

Clinical Research Fellow – Breast Cancer Research (Institute of Cancer Research)

Associate or Full Professor – Surgical Breast Pathology (Perelman School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Metastasis (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Biology (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Metastases of Breast Cancer Cells (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Chromatin and Epigenetic Regulation (Van Andel Research Institute)

Professor – Breast/Abdominal Surgery or Gynecology (Fudan University Shanghai 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.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.