Mammary Cell News Volume 8.16 | Apr 28 2016

Essential Role for a Novel Population of Binucleated Mammary Epithelial Cells in Lactation
The authors viewed the lactating gland through three-dimensional confocal imaging of intact tissue. They observed that the majority of secretory alveolar cells are binucleated. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Predictive Features of Ligand-Specific Signaling through the Estrogen Receptor
To identify biophysical determinants of cell‐specific signaling and breast cancer cell proliferation, scientists synthesized 241 ERα ligands based on 19 chemical scaffolds, and compared ligand response using quantitative bioassays for canonical ERα activities and X‐ray crystallography. [Mol Syst Biol]
Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

ErbB2-Dependent Downregulation of a Pro-Apoptotic Protein Perp Is Required for Oncogenic Transformation of Breast Epithelial Cells
Researchers demonstrated that Perp upregulation by cell detachment is driven by detachment-induced loss of epidermal growth factor receptor. They also found that Perp knockdown by RNA interference rescues detached cells from death which indicates that Perp contributes to their anoikis. [Oncogene] Abstract

Breast Cancer Antiestrogen Resistance 3–p130^Cas Interactions Promote Adhesion Disassembly and Invasion in Breast Cancer Cells
The authors sought to determine whether signaling through the breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 3 (BCAR3)–Cas complex was responsible for the cellular functions of BCAR3. They showed that the entire pool of BCAR3 is in complex with Cas in invasive breast tumor cells and that these proteins colocalize in dynamic cellular adhesions. [Oncogene] Abstract

Twist1 Induces Distinct Cell States Depending on TGFBR1-activation
Researchers showed that Twist1 requires TGF-beta type-I receptor (TGFBR1)-activation to bind an enhancer region of downstream effector ZEB1, thereby inducing ZEB1 transcription and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [Oncotarget] Full Article | Press Release

Regulation of the T-Box Transcription Factor Tbx3 by the Tumor Suppressor microRNA-206 in Breast Cancer
The mechanisms that regulate Tbx3 expression in cancer have not been fully explored. In this study, the authors demonstrated that Tbx3 is repressed by the tumor suppressor miR-206 in breast cancer cells. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Expression of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Markers as Predictors of Prognosis and Response to Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
The authors investigated the impact of breast cancer stem cell marker expression on clinical outcome and trastuzumab response in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Regulators of Metastasis Modulate the Migratory Response to Cell Contact under Spatial Confinement
Scientists showed that metastatic cells overcome spatial constraints to slide effectively on narrow fiber-like dimensions, whereas nontransformed MCF–10A mammary epithelial cells require much wider micropatterns to achieve moderate levels of sliding. [Biophys J] Full Article | Press Release | Video

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Canadian Cancer Trials Group IND197: A Phase II Study of Foretinib in Patients with Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer
Patients with centrally reviewed primary triple-negative breast cancer and 0-1 prior regimens for metastatic disease received daily foretinib 60 mg po in a 2-stage single-arm trial. Primary endpoints were objective response and early progression rates per RECIST 1.1. In stage 2, correlative studies of MET, PTEN, EGFR, and p53 on archival and fresh tumor specimens were performed along with enumeration of CTCs. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

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Pfizer Announces Positive Top-Line Results for Phase III PALOMA-2 Clinical Trial of IBRANCE^® (Palbociclib)
Pfizer Inc. announced positive top-line results from the Phase III PALOMA-2 trial for IBRANCE^® (palbociclib), an oral, first-in-class inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – RNA Splicing in Breast Cancer (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Scientist – Cancer Research (Institute of Clinical Physiology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Metastatic Reactivation of Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Faculty Position – Cancer Immunology (University of New Mexico)

Faculty Position – Cancer Research (Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer (Northwestern University)

Faculty Position – Tumor Immunology (John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Noncoding RNAs in Breast Cancer (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast and Ovarian Cancer (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Platelets in Metastatic Breast and Colon Cancer (Université de Strasbourg)

Research Associate – Breast Cancer and Huntington’s Disease (University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Tumor Biology of Breast and Lung Cancer (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Manager – Medical and Breast Imaging (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Director Clinical Research – Medical Oncology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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