LABORATORY RESEARCH Nuclear AURKA Acquires Kinase-Independent Transactivating Function to Enhance Breast Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype Scientists showed that Aurora kinase A (AURKA) translocates to the nucleus and causes distinct oncogenic properties in malignant cells by enhancing breast cancer stem cell phenotype. [Nat Commun] Full Article The Shp2-Induced Epithelial Disorganization Defect is Reversed by HDAC6 Inhibition Independent of Cdc42 Researchers showed that oncogenic Shp2 dephosphorylates Tuba to decrease Cdc42 activation, leading to the abnormal multi-lumen formation of epithelial cells. In HER2-positive breast cancer cells, Shp2 also mediated Cdc42 repression, and HDAC6 inhibition or co-suppression of ERK/myosin II promotes normal epithelial lumen phenotype without increasing Cdc42 activity. [Nat Commun] Full Article Histone H3 Lysine 4 Acetylation and Methylation Dynamics Define Breast Cancer Subtypes To define the relative roles of histone H3 methylation and acetylation in breast cancer, the authors determined genomic regions enriched for both marks in normal-like, transformed and metastatic cells using a genome-wide ChIP-Seq approach. [Oncotarget] Full Article The Immune Microenvironment of Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Researchers profiled tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and expression of the immune checkpoint ligand programmed death ligand 1 in 27 cases of breast ductal carcinoma in situ with known estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor 2 expression using tissue microarrays. [Mod Pathol] Abstract Squalene Epoxidase is a Bona Fide Oncogene by Amplification with Clinical Relevance in Breast Cancer Scientists assessed the correlation of squalene epoxidase (SQLE) copy number and gene expression across multiple cancer types, focusing on the clinico-pathological associations in breast cancer (BC). They then investigated whether any biological effect of SQLE inhibition could be observed in BC cell line models. [Sci Rep] Full Article Enhancement of Human Sodium Iodide Symporter Gene Therapy for Breast Cancer by HDAC Inhibitor Mediated Transcriptional Modulation Scientists investigated modulation of endogenous, functional sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter based initial screening of six different HDACi showed 2–10 fold enhancement of NIS promoter activity in majority of the cell types tested. As a result of drug treatment, endogenous NIS transcript and protein showed profound induction in breast cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Targeted PTEN Deletion Plus p53-R270H Mutation in Mouse Mammary Epithelium Induces Aggressive Claudin-Low and Basal-Like Breast Cancer Investigators demonstrated that WAP-Cre:Ptenf/f:p53lox.stop.lox_R270H mice represent a tractable model to study basal-like breast cancer because unlike p53 deletion, p53(R270H) mutation in the mouse does not skew tumors toward the claudin-low subtype. [Breast Cancer Res] Full Article Orlistat and Antisense-miRNA-Loaded PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles for Enhanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy Investigators demonstrated that orlistat in combination with antisense-miR-21 or current chemotherapy holds great promise as a novel and versatile treatment agent for triple-negative breast cancer. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract Sundew Plant, a Potential Source of Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Selectively Induces G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells through Upregulation of p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio In vitro anticancer study revealed that Drosera burmannii is inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells without affecting the viability of other malignant and non-malignant cells. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Annual Hazard Rates of Recurrence for Breast Cancer During 24 Years of Follow-Up: Results From the International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials I to V International Breast Cancer Study Group clinical trials I to V randomly assigned 4,105 patients between 1978 and 1985. Annualized hazards were estimated for breast cancer-free interval (primary end point), disease-free survival, and overall survival. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract Inferring the Effects of Cancer Treatment: Divergent Results From Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group Meta-Analyses of Randomized Trials and Observational Data From SEER Registries In the randomized trials, radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery reduced mortality from both breast cancer and all causes. Reductions of similar magnitude were seen in the trials of radiotherapy after mastectomy in node-positive disease. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract |