Mammary Cell News Volume 8.30 | Aug 4 2016

TOP STORY

LIMT Is a Novel Metastasis Inhibiting lncRNA Suppressed by EGF and Downregulated in Aggressive Breast Cancer

Researchers identified 11 prognostic long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Functional analyses of this group uncovered LINC01089 (here renamed LncRNA Inhibiting Metastasis; LIMT), a highly conserved lncRNA, which is depleted in basal-like and in HER2-positive tumors, and the low expression of which predicts poor patient prognosis. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Direct Transcriptional Consequences of Somatic Mutation in Breast Cancer

The authors developed an exhaustive pipeline for analyzing RNA sequencing data, which they integrated with whole genomes from 23 breast cancers. Using X-inactivation analyses, they found that cancer cells are more transcriptionally active than intermixed stromal cells. This is especially true in estrogen receptor-negative tumors. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Thromboxane A2 Receptor (TBXA2R) Is a Potent Survival Factor for Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs)

TNBC is defined by the lack of ERα, PR expression and HER2 overexpression and is the breast cancer subtype with the poorest clinical outcomes. The authors’ aim was to identify genes driving TNBC proliferation and/or survival which could represent novel therapeutic targets. [Oncotarget] Full Article

ERBB2 Overexpression Establishes ERBB3 Dependent Hypersensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to Withaferin A

Scientists found that ERBB2 overexpression does render cells hypersensitive to Withaferin A (WA). While ERBB2 down regulation is one aspect of WA treatment at high concentrations, it is not causal for the elevated sensitivity at lower dosages. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Prolactin Pro-Differentiation Pathway in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Impact on Prognosis and Potential Therapy

Researchers showed that prolactin and its signaling pathway serve as a sub-classifier and predictor of pro-differentiation therapy in triple negative breast cancer. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Folate-Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Ursolic Acid Confer Anti-Breast Cancer Activities In Vitro and In Vivo

Investigators synthesized a nanoparticle-based drug carrier composed of chitosan, ursolic acid (UA) and folate (FA-CS-UA-NPs) and demonstrated that FA-CS-UA-NPs could effectively diminish off-target effects and increase local drug concentrations of UA. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Poly(rC)-Binding Protein 2 Regulates Hippo Signaling to Control Growth in Breast Epithelial Cells

Investigators showed that poly(rC)-binding proteins forms a complex with the Hippo pathway components Salvador, Mst1, Mst2, and Lats1 in human cells and mouse tissues. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Endocrine Response Phenotypes Are Altered by Charcoal-Stripped Serum Variability

Scientists hypothesized that charcoal-stripped bovine serum (CSS) lot variability would affect endocrine response phenotypes in breast cancer cells, and tested the effects of five individual CSS lots on endocrine response in MCF-7 and MDA MB 134VI cells. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Metabolomics Analysis of Hormone-Responsive and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Responses to Paclitaxel Identify Key Metabolic Differences

Metabolomics was conducted to reveal differences in two hormone receptor-negative triple negative breast cancer cell lines and two hormone receptor-positive Luminal A cell lines. Studies were conducted in the presence and absence of paclitaxel. [J Proteome Res] Abstract

Overexpression of the miR-141/200c Cluster Promotes the Migratory and Invasive Ability of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells through the Activation of the FAK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways by Secreting VEGF-A

Scientists investigated the mechanisms by which the miR-200 family members modulated the migratory and invasive abilities of an aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Phase II Studies of Two Different Schedules of Dasatinib in Bone Metastasis Predominant Metastatic Breast Cancer: SWOG S0622

The authors aimed to determine whether treatment with either of two-dose schedules of dasatinib results in a progression-free survival >50 % at 24 weeks in bone metastasis predominant metastatic breast cancer, to evaluate the toxicity of the two-dosing regimens, and explore whether treatment results in decreased serum bone turnover markers and patient-reported “worst pain.” [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

miRNAs-Mediated Cisplatin Resistance in Breast Cancer

The authors provide detailed information on the miRNAs effect on cisplatin-induced resistance, including alterations in cell survival, modification of DNA damage response, changes in cellular uptake or efflux of the drug, altered DNA methylation, and perturbations in the miRNA biogenesis pathway. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mammary cell research field.

MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Demonstrates Clinical Applicability of ANGLE plc’s ‘Blood Biopsy’ Technology

ANGLE plc announced a poster presentation by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center describing clinically-relevant results from a study using its lead product, the Parsortix cell separation system, to harvest breast cancer cells in blood for subsequent molecular characterization. [Press release from ANGLE plc discussing research to be presented at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 2016 Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release

Novartis CDK4/6 Inhibitor LEE011 (Ribociclib) Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation as First-Line Treatment for HR⁺/HER2^– Advanced Breast Cancer

Novartis announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to LEE011, in combination with letrozole, for the treatment of hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR⁺/HER2^–) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. LEE011 is a selective cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor. [Novartis] Press Release

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Enters Service Agreement with Selexis SA for Development of a Proprietary Cell Line for Expression of ASLAN00

Selexis SA and ASLAN Pharmaceuticals announced that they have entered into a service agreement under which Selexis will develop a CHO-K1 cell line for expression of ASLAN004, a novel fully human monoclonal antibody. ASLAN004 targets IL-13R-alpha1, and ASLAN is currently exploring its potential in a range of allergic disorders and oncology indications as both monotherapy and in combination with existing immunotherapies. [Selexis SA] Press Release

DNA Vaccines against Zika Virus Speed into Clinical Trials

By the end of 2016 at least two vaccines against Zika will have completed Phase I safety trials, marking the first significant clinical progress towards preventing transmission of the virus. [Nat Rev Drug Discov] Editorial

Scientists Seek Influence on ‘Brexit Ministry’

Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

Brain Implants and Gene-Editing Enhancements Worry US Public

Most people in the United States are more worried than enthusiastic about the prospect of scientific advances such as gene editing and brain-chip implants, a survey of thousands suggests. [Nature News] Editorial | Poll

Major Review Calls Time on ‘Gaming’ in UK Research Assessment

The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News] Editorial

Antibiotics Funding Splurge Gets Mixed Reception

Antibiotics researchers are set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from a new funding stream — but not everyone thinks the cash is being directed to the right place. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Blood Antiaging Trial Raises Questions

A startup company has launched the first clinical trial in the United States to test the antiaging benefits of young blood in relatively healthy people. But there’s a big caveat: It’s a pay-to-participate trial, a type that has raised ethical concerns before, most recently in the stem cell field. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Dispute over President’s Age Tears Pasteur Institute Apart

Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center? That question is sowing division at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Science has learned, and has plunged the 128-year-old institute, home to 1200 scientists and the place where HIV was first isolated, into a leadership crisis. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.S. Mental Health Institute Puts Champion of Basic Science at the Helm

Up to now, Joshua Gordon has split his career between working with patients with mental illness and mice designed to mimic that illness. But this fall, the neuroscientist and psychiatrist will take control of the $1.5 billion U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release

Russian Scientists Bracing for Massive Job Losses

Russia’s scientific community is reeling from news that the government plans to fire about 10,000 researchers over the next three years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists, Engineers Show Concern for Turkish Scientists’ Welfare

As the Turkish government restores order after the failed coup, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and seven other leading science and engineering societies expressed concern for the human rights of the Turkish scientific community, which has reportedly been subject to restrictions including travel bans and the ordered return of Turkish academics working abroad. [American Association for the Advancement of Science] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: TGFβ in Immunity, Inflammation and Cancer
January 9-13, 2017
Taos, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the mammary cell community.

NEW Postdoctoral and PhD Positions – Personalized Medicine for Breast Cancer (University of Basel)

NEW Product Specialist – Oncology (Celgene Corporation)

Robert Stowell Chair – Experimental Pathology (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Associate – Bioinformatics of Colorectal and Triple Negative Breast Cancer (University of Miami)

Lead Bioinformatitian – Cancer-Related Genes and Targeted Drugs (Institute of Cancer Research)

Scientific Director – Global Medical Affairs (Celgene Corporation)

Research Assistant – Role of Platelets in Breast Cancer Metastases (Jagiellonian University)

Postdoctoral Position – Metastatic Reactivaction of Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Scientific Director – Oncology (Merck)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Various Projects (National University of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Monitoring through Digital Imaging (University Rovira i Virgili)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Basic & Translational Breast Cancer Research (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Premalignant Progression to Invasive Breast Cancer (Tulane Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Genetics of Breast Cancer (German Cancer Research Centre)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

PhD Fellow – Small X-Ray Angle for Breast Cancer Diagnosis (CEA Tech)

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

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

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