Mammary Cell News Volume 7.19 | May 21 2015

Breast Cancer Cell-Derived GM-CSF Licenses Regulatory Th2 Induction by Plasmacytoid Pre-Dendritic Cells in Aggressive Disease Subtypes
The authors showed that GM-CSF produced by primary breast tumor cells induced the activation of plasmacytoid pre-dendritic cells (pDC), a cell type critical to anti-viral immunity. pDC that expressed the GM-CSF receptor were increased in breast tumors compared to non-involved adjacent breast tissue. [Cancer Res] Abstract

IMP3 Promotes Stem-Like Properties in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating SLUG
Scientists observed that IMP3 (insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA binding protein 3) expression is significantly higher in tumor initiating than in non-tumor initiating breast cancer cells and demonstrated that IMP3 contributes to self-renewal and tumor initiation, properties associated with cancer stem cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

miR-520h Is Crucial for DAPK2 Regulation and Breast Cancer Progression
Researchers identified a key role of miRNA 520h (miR-520h) in drug resistance. They confirmed the essential role of miR-520h-suppressed death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) expression, as restoring DAPK2 abolished miR-520h-promoted drug resistance, and knockdown of DAPK2 mitigated cell death caused by the depletion of miR-520h. [Oncogene] Abstract

hMENA^11a Contributes to HER3-Mediated Resistance to PI3K Inhibitors in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells
A novel role for the epithelial-associated human Mena (hMENA)^11a isoform in sustaining HER3 activation and pro-survival pathways in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells was identified by reverse phase protein array and validated in vivo in a series of breast cancer tissues. [Oncogene] Abstract

Acquisition of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Phenotype in the Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cell: A New Role for GPER in Mediating Tamoxifen Resistance through CAF-Derived Fibronectin and β1-Integrin Signaling Pathway in Tumor Cells
Scientists investigated the role of β1-integrin in G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)-mediated tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 11^p110 (CDK11^p110) Is Crucial for Human Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Growth
Researchers explored the effects and molecular mechanisms of CDK11^p110 in the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells by determining the expression of CDK11^p110 in breast tumor tissues and examined the phenotypic changes of breast cancer cells after CDK11^p110 knockdown. They found that CDK11^p110 was highly expressed in breast tumor tissues and cell lines. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Inhibition of STAT3, FAK and Src Mediated Signaling Reduces Cancer Stem Cell Load, Tumorigenic Potential and Metastasis in Breast Cancer
Scientists evaluated the effects of Shikonin (Shk) on breast cancer and found its anti-cancer stem cell (CSC) potential. Shk treatment decreased the expression of various epithelial to mesenchymal transition and CSC associated markers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

eIF4E Is a Feed-Forward Translational Coactivator of TGFβ Early Pro-Transforming Events in Breast Epithelial Cells
Using immortalized human breast epithelial cells, investigators report that elevated expression of elF4E translationally activates the TGFβ pathway, promoting cell invasion, loss of cell polarity, increased cell survival and other hallmarks of early neoplasia. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

CD44 Regulates Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion via Modulation of c-Src Transcription in Human Breast Cancer Cells
To investigate the role of CD44 in breast cancer cells, researchers generated CD44 knock-down cells via retroviral delivery of shRNA against CD44. They found that silencing of CD44 decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. [Cell Signal] Abstract

Molecular Modification of Metadherin/MTDH Impacts the Sensitivity of Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin
In order to explore the association between metadherin (MTDH) and doxorubicin sensitivity, the differential expressions of MTDH in breast cancer cell lines and the sensitivity to doxorubicin of breast cancer cell lines were investigated. [PLoS One] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab Added to Docetaxel Followed by Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide, for Women with HER2-Negative Early Breast Cancer (ARTemis): An Open-Label, Randomized, Phase III Trial
The ARTemis trial was developed to assess the efficacy and safety of adding bevacizumab to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-negative early breast cancer. [Lancet Oncol] Full Article | Editorial

Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Paclitaxel as Primary Chemotherapy in Elderly or Cardiotoxicity-Prone Patients with High-Risk Breast Cancer: Results of the Phase II CAPRICE Study
Investigators conducted a Phase II single-arm trial to assess the efficacy and safety of primary chemotherapy based on pegylated liposomal doxorubicin followed by paclitaxel in a high-risk breast cancer population usually undertreated. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

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TapImmune to Present Clinical & Scientific Update at the 2015 Marcum Microcap Conference
TapImmune’s presentation will include an update on the progress of clinical programs. Following two successful Phase I clinical studies in HER2/neu breast cancer and ovarian and breast cancer, TapImmune is completing preparations for start of Phase II trials in 2015. [Press release from TapImmune discussing research to be presented at the 2015 Marcum MicroCap Conference, New York City] Press Release

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Fred Hutch and Uganda Cancer Institute Open UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre in Kampala
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Uganda Cancer Institute will open the UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre in Kampala, the first comprehensive cancer center jointly constructed by U.S. and African cancer institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

NHS Pressures at Risk of Stifling Cancer Research
Daily pressures on the NHS are having a serious impact on its ability to support world leading research into cancer, according to a Cancer Research UK commissioned report from the University of Birmingham. The report revealed pockets of excellence in clinical research, but also showed how escalating pressures to deliver routine NHS services are squeezing out time for hospital staff to do vital research. [Cancer Research UK]
Article | Report

National Institutes of Health (United States)

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 Postdoctoral Position – Malignant Breast Cancer Cells in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment (Duke University)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Fatty Acid Metabolism Inhibition on Chemoresistant TNBC Models (University of Girona)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Regulation of Growth and Survival of Breast Cancer Cells (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Technician – Prostate/Breast Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Instructor – Prostate/Breast Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer & Stem Cell Biology (University of Cincinnati)

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