LABORATORY RESEARCH Spatiotemporal Control of Estrogen-Responsive Transcription in ERα-Positive Breast Cancer Cells Scientists used three-dimensional interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization to decipher spatiotemporal gathering of multiple distant estrogen response elements in the nucleus. [Oncogene] Full Article The Putative Oncogene CEP72 Inhibits the Mitotic Function of BRCA1 and Induces Chromosomal Instability To gain insights into the mitotic role of BRCA1 in regulating microtubule assembly, scientists systematically identified proteins interacting with BRCA1 during mitosis and found the centrosomal protein Cep72 as a novel BRCA1-interacting protein. [Oncogene] Abstract Exometabolom Analysis of Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Metabolic Signature Researchers investigated the molecular signature of different subtypes of breast cancer cell lines and the breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. They observed major differences of metabolite excretion pattern between the breast cancer cell lines and MCF-10A, just as well as between the different breast cancer cell lines themselves. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigation of VOCs Associated with Different Characteristics of Breast Cancer Cells Scientists analyzed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace of breast cancer cell lines in order to ascertain the potentiality of VOCs signatures in giving information about these cells and set up a new sensor system able to detect breast tumor-associated VOCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article Mammary Stem Cells and Tumor-Initiating Cells Are More Resistant to Apoptosis and Exhibit Increased DNA Repair Activity in Response to DNA Damage Researchers investigated the molecular and physiological consequences of DNA damage in wild-type mammary stem cells (MaSCs), p53-null MaSCs, and p53-null tumor-initiating cells. They showed that wild-type MaSCs and basal cells are more resistant to apoptosis and exhibit increased non-homologous end joining activity. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Dual EZH2 and EHMT2 Histone Methyltransferase Inhibition Increases Biological Efficacy in Breast Cancer Cells The authors report that gene expression and inhibition of triple negative breast cancer cell growth are markedly increased when targeting both EZH2 and EHMT2, either by siRNA knockdown or pharmacological inhibition, rather than either enzyme independently. [Clin Epigenetics] Abstract MicroRNA-148a Inhibits Migration of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting MMP-13 Researchers investigated the role of microRNA (miR)-148a in migration of breast cancer cells as well as the underlying mechanism. miR-148a was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract Curcumin Improves the Tumoricidal Effect of Mitomycin C by Suppressing ABCG2 Expression in Stem Cell-Like Breast Cancer Cells Scientists investigated the potential of curcumin to reduce breast cancer stem cell population for sensitizing breast cancer cells to mitomycin C both in vitro and in vivo. [PLoS One] Full Article Thioaptamer-Conjugated CD44-Targeted Delivery System for the Treatment of Breast Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo Investigators validated the safety and feasibility of systemic miRNA delivery to breast cancer cells by thioaptamer-polyethylene glycol-polyamidoamine/miRNA, testified its tumor targeting efficiency in vitro, and observed its biodistribution when it was administered systemically to a xenograft mouse model of breast cancer. [J Drug Target] Abstract miR-139-5p Inhibits the Biological Function of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting Notch1 and Mediates Chemosensitivity to Docetaxel The authors researched the biological function of miR-139-5p and the efficacy of chemosensitivity to docetaxel. miR-139-5p was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer cells. miR-139-5p inhibited the viability of breast cancer cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH T-DM1 as a New Treatment Option for Patients with Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer in Clinical Practice Investigators compared results of trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) treatment in their clinical practice with data from Phase III clinical trials. [Anticancer Res] Abstract Docetaxel Alone or in Combination with a Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine (PANVAC) in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Researchers determined if the treatment combination of docetaxel and PANVAC improves clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer compared with docetaxel treatment alone. [JAMA Oncol] Abstract | Press Release |