LABORATORY RESEARCH An Epigenetic Pathway Regulates Sensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to HER2 Inhibition via FOXO/c-Myc Axis Investigators found that an epigenetic pathway involving MLL2 is crucial for growth of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)+ cells and MLL2 reduces sensitivity of the cancer cells to a HER2 inhibitor, lapatinib. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release PDK1 Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis in a Spontaneous Breast Cancer Model Investigators revealed that mammary-specific ablation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) could delay tumor initiation, progression and metastasis in a spontaneous mouse tumor model. [Oncogene] Abstract ASCT2/SLC1A5 Controls Glutamine Uptake and Tumor Growth in Triple-Negative Basal-Like Breast Cancer Pharmacological inhibitors of alanine, serine, cysteine-preferring transporter 2 (ASCT2; SLC1A5)-mediated transport significantly reduced glutamine uptake in human breast cancer cell lines, leading to the suppression of mTORC1 signaling, cell growth and cell cycle progression. [Oncogene] Full Article Distinct Microbiological Signatures Associated with Triple Negative Breast Cancer Researchers utilized a pan-pathogen array technology to identify the microbial signatures associated with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The results, validated by PCR and sequencing, defined a microbial signature present in TNBC tissue which was underrepresented in normal tissue. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release CA1 Contributes to Microcalcification and Tumorigenesis in Breast Cancer Scientists aimed to determine whether carbonic anhydrase I (CA1) was correlated with microcalcification and with other processes that are involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis. Acetazolamide, a chemical inhibitor of CA1, was also added to the culture to determine the role of CA1 in calcification. [BMC Cancer] Full Article Strategy of STAT3β Cell-Specific Expression in Macrophages Exhibits Antitumor Effects on Mouse Breast Cancer Researchers showed that STAT3β gene under the control of CD68 macrophage-specific promoter was only expressed in macrophages, which significantly inhibited the motility and invasion of breast cancer cells when co-cultured with 4T1 cells [Gene Ther] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Paclitaxel, Bevacizumab, and Everolimus/Placebo as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase II Trial of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute This randomized Phase II trial compared the efficacy of paclitaxel/bevacizumab/everolimus and paclitaxel/bevacizumab/placebo as first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract Tumor Biology, Metastatic Sites and Taxanes Sensitivity as Determinants of Eribulin Mesylate Efficacy in Breast Cancer: Results from the ERIBEX Retrospective, International, Multicenter Study Investigators aimed at evaluating the activity and safety of eribulin mesylate in pretreated metastatic breast cancer in a routine clinical setting. Tumor response was assessed every three cycles of treatment. [BMC Cancer] Full Article |