Mammary Cell News Volume 7.09 | Mar 12 2015

Cell Shape and the Microenvironment Regulate Nuclear Translocation of NF-κB in Breast Epithelial and Tumor Cells
Scientists used high-content image analysis and Bayesian network modeling to ask whether cell shape and context features influence NF-κB activation using the inherent variability present in unperturbed populations of breast tumor and non-tumor cell lines. [Mol Syst Biol] Full Article | Press Release | Video

The Fe-S Cluster-Containing NEET Proteins MitoNEET and NAF-1 as Chemotherapeutic Targets in Breast Cancer
Investigators report that MAD-28, a designed cluvenone derivative, binds to and destabilizes two members of a unique class of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum 2Fe-2S proteins, mitoNEET and nutrient-deprivation autophagy factor-1 (NAF-1), recently implicated in cancer cell proliferation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Full Article

Mouse Mammary Stem Cells Express Prognostic Markers for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
The clinical, pathological and biological features of claudin-low tumors were compared to the other tumor subtypes using an updated human tumor database and multiple independent data sets. These main features of claudin-low tumors were also evaluated in a panel of breast cancer cell lines and genetically engineered mouse models. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Lectin RCA-I Specifically Binds to Metastasis-Associated Cell Surface Glycans in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Using the lectin microarray, scientists found that the bindings of Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I) to triple-negative breast cancer cells are proportional to their metastatic capacity. [Breast Cancer Res]
Abstract | Full Article

Beyond Immune Density: Critical Role of Spatial Heterogeneity in Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer
Researchers found that the amount of co-localized cancer and immune hotspots weighted by tumor area, rather than number of cancer or immune hotspots, correlates with a better prognosis in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer in univariate and multivariate analysis. [Modern Pathol] Abstract | Press Release

FOXK2 Transcription Factor Suppresses ERα-Positive Breast Cancer Cell Growth through Down-Regulating the Stability of ERα via Mechanism Involving BRCA1/BARD1
Overexpression of FOXK2 inhibited the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor α (ERα), decreased the transcription of ERα target genes, and suppressed the proliferation of ERα-positive breast cancer cells. In contrast, knockdown of FOXK2 in MCF-7 cells promoted cell proliferation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Diallyl Disulfide Inhibits Growth and Metastatic Potential of Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells through Inactivation of the β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Investigators evaluated the antitumor activity of diallyl disulfide (DADS) in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines-based in vitro and in vivo models. They found that treatment with DADS resulted in decreased viability, increased apoptosis and suppression of metastatic potential in TNBC cells. [Mol Nutr Food Res] Abstract

Inhibition of PKC-Induced COX-2 and IL-8 Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells by Glucosamine
The authors clarified the role and acting mechanism of glucosamine during the protein kinase C (PKC)-regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression and the associated impact on breast cancer. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

A Novel Biphenyl Urea Derivate Inhibits the Invasion of Breast Cancer through the Modulation of CXCR4
Researchers investigated a novel biphenyl urea derivate, TPD7 for its ability to affect CXCR4 expression as well as function in breast cancer cells. They demonstrated that TPD7 inhibited the breast cancer proliferation and down-regulated the CXCR4 expression on breast cancer cells both over-expressing and low-expressing HER2, an oncogene known to induce the chemokine receptor. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Trebananib (AMG 386) plus Weekly Paclitaxel with or without Bevacizumab as First-Line Therapy for HER2-Negative Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Phase II Randomized Study
This Phase II randomized study evaluated trebananib (AMG 386), a peptide-Fc fusion protein that inhibits angiogenesis by neutralizing the interaction of angiopoietin-1 and -2 with Tie2, in combination with paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab in previously untreated patients with HER2-negative locally recurrent/metastatic breast cancer. [Breast] Abstract

First-in-Human, Phase I/IIa Dose-Escalation and Safety Study of Balugrastim in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy
Researchers evaluated safety of balugrastim, a recombinant human serum albumin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, administered over a range of therapeutic doses in women with breast cancer receiving doxorubicin plus docetaxel chemotherapy. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol] Abstract

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Puma Biotechnology Initiates Phase II Trial of PB272 in Early Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Puma Biotechnology, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase II trial of Puma’s investigational drug PB272 (neratinib) for the extended adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. The 70 patient study will be an open label single arm Phase II trial of PB272 monotherapy administered to patients with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer who have previously received adjuvant treatment with trastuzumab. [Puma Biotechnology, Inc.]
Press Release

CPRIT Awards Faculty $11.5 Million for Recruitment and Research in Brain and Bone Cancer, Biology, and Immunotherapy
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers more than $7.5 million in research grants to improve diagnostic and therapeutic services and research relating to cancers of the brain, breast, throat, and bone, as well as to improve scientific understanding of cancer biology. UT Southwestern received an additional $4 million for recruiting emerging cancer scientists. [UT Southwestern Medical Center] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer/Breast Cancer Genomic Instability and Cell Biology (University of Queensland)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Division of Cancer Studies (King’s College London)

Bioinformatics Officer – Cancer Drug Discovery and Development (Institute of Cancer Research)

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

Clinician Scientist (National University of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Breast Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

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