Mammary Cell News Volume 9.15 | Apr 20 2017

TOP STORY

A Liposome Encapsulated Ruthenium Polypyridine Complex as a Theranostic Platform for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Investigators developed a liposome-based theranostic nanodelivery system for [Ru(phen)₂dppz](ClO₄)₂ (Lipo-Ru). This ruthenium polypyridine complex emits a strong fluorescent signal when incorporated in the hydrophobic lipid bilayer of the delivery vehicle or in the DNA helix, enabling visualization of the therapeutic agent in tumor tissues. Incubation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with Lipo-Ru induced double-strand DNA breaks and triggered apoptosis. [Nano Lett] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Complex Regulation of LCoR Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Researchers studied ligand-dependent corepressor (LCOR) gene expression in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. They detected two mRNA variants, LCoR and LCoR2 (which encodes a truncated LCoR protein). Their expression was highly correlated and localized in discrete nuclear foci. LCoR and LCoR2 strongly repressed transcription, inhibited estrogen-induced target gene expression and decreased breast cancer cell proliferation. [Oncogene] Full Article

Targeting of CCBE1 by miR-330-3p in Human Breast Cancer Promotes Metastasis

The authors examined the association of microRNA (miR)-330-3p with distant relapse-free survival in the Oxford cohort of breast cancer patients. They studied miR-330-3p function using in vitro invasion and ex ovo metastasis assays. They showed that miR-330-3p targets collagen and calcium binding EGF domains 1 (CCBE1) to promote invasion and metastasis. [Br J Cancer] Full Article

YAP Modulates TGF-β1-Induced Simultaneous Apoptosis and EMT through Upregulation of the EGF Receptor

Scientists demonstrated that YAP can modulate cell fate of apoptosis versus EMT by acting as a surviving factor. Overexpression of YAP in mouse mammary epithelial cells suppressed TGF-β1-induced apoptosis, which shifted the cellular response predominantly toward EMT. [Sci Rep] Full Article

G Protein-Coupled KISS1 Receptor Is Overexpressed in Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Promotes Drug Resistance

The authors demonstrated that the G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) promotes drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells. KISS1R binds kisspeptins, peptide products of the KISS1 gene and in numerous cancers, this signaling pathway plays anti-metastatic roles. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Combining 53BP1 with BRCA1 as a Biomarker to Predict the Sensitivity of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors

Investigators report that a combination of 53BP1 and BRCA1 may serve as a biomarker of PARP inhibitor sensitivity. Based on the mRNA levels of four homologous recombination repair genes and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, they selected BRCA1-deficient MDA-MB-436 cells to conduct RNA interference. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Genetic Profiling of Putative Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Malignant Pleural Effusions

Scientists processed pleural effusion aspirates from 17 metastatic breast cancer patients to propagate cancer stem cell in vitro. Patient-derived aspirates were cultured under sphere forming conditions and isolated primary cultures were further sorted for cancer stem cell subpopulations ALDH1⁺ and CD44⁺CD24^-/low. [PLoS One] Full Article

Metformin Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Targeting KLF5 for Degradation

The authors demonstrated that metformin decreased the percentage of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem cells partially through the downregulation of the expression of the stem cell transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) and its downstream target genes, such as Nanog and FGF-BP1, in TNBC cell lines. [Cell Discov] Full Article

A Murine Preclinical Syngeneic Transplantation Model for Breast Cancer Precision Medicine

Scientists established and characterized a heterogeneous collection of mouse-derived syngeneic transplants (MDSTs) as preclinical platforms for the assessment of personalized pharmacological therapies. Detailed molecular and phenotypic analyses revealed that MDSTs are the most heterogeneous group of genetically engineered mouse models of breast cancer yet observed. [Sci Adv] Abstract | Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Low Tumor Mitochondrial DNA Content Is Associated with Better Outcome in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy

Researchers aimed to explore whether low levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the primary tumor could predict better outcome for breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based therapies. They hypothesized that tumor cells with low mtDNA content are more susceptible to mitochondrial damage induced by anthracyclines, and thus are more susceptible to anthracycline treatment. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

The Most Prevalent Side Effects of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin Monotherapy in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

The authors aimed to determine the side-effect profile of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in metastatic breast cancer through a systematic review of Phase II clinical trials. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Cell State Plasticity, Stem Cells, EMT, and the Generation of Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity

Scientists consider not only genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, but also inflammation and cell state reprogramming in creating tumor heterogeneity. They discuss similarities between normal mammary epithelial developmental states and various breast cancer molecular sub-types, and the cells that are thought to propagate them. [NPJ Breast Cancer] Abstract

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

Puma Biotechnology Announces FDA Advisory Committee to Review Neratinib for the Extended Adjuvant Treatment of HER2-Positive Early Stage Breast Cancer

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled the New Drug Application for neratinib for discussion by the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee. Neratinib is an investigational therapy for the extended adjuvant treatment of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer that has previously been treated with a trastuzumab containing regimen. [Puma Biotechnology, Inc.] Press Release

The University of Kentucky to Announce Major Multi-Million NIH Grant to Launch New Center to Fight Cancer

The University of Kentucky (UK) was recently awarded a prestigious Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence grant to study the metabolism of cancer from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The $11.2 million grant will fund UK’s Center for Cancer and Metabolism over the next five years. [The University of Kentucky] Press Release | Video

AbbVie Announces Topline Results from Two Phase III Studies Investigating Veliparib in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

AbbVie announced that two Phase III studies evaluating veliparib, an investigational, oral poly polymerase inhibitor did not meet their primary endpoints. The studies evaluated veliparib in combination with the chemotherapy regimen carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer and triple negative breast cancer. [Abbvie] Press Release

What a Surprise General Election Could Mean for Higher Education

Theresa May’s plan to hold a general election on the 8^th of June raises implications for universities in terms of whether the Higher Education and Research Bill can continue, the vote’s status as the “Brexit election”, and the expected emergence of Labor’s plan to scrap tuition fees. [Times Higher Education] Editorial

French-Election Fears Unite Scientists in Defense of Liberal Democracy

For scientists in France, the presidential contest is often a chance to debate research and science-related issues. When Nicolas Sarkozy was elected a decade ago, for example, university reforms and environmental policy featured prominently in the campaigns. But this time, science has barely been mentioned — elbowed out by political scandals and the rise of Marine Le Pen’s far-right Front National party. [Nature News] Editorial

Republican Scientists Negotiate the Trump Era

Conservative academics face a growing tension between their politics and the liberal atmosphere on many US campuses. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Cancer Nanotechnology
June 18-23, 2017
West Dover, Vermont, United States

NEW Worldwide Innovative Networking in Personalized Cancer Medicine (WIN) 2017
June 26-27, 2017
Paris, France

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

NEW Researcher – Tumor Microenvironment and Invasion Program (SUNY Upstate Medical University)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position(s) – Gene Regulation in Cancer Progression (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Postdoctoral Research – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Research Fellow – Molecular Biology (Monash University)

Bioinformatics Scientist – Breast Cancer (Windber Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetics, Genomics and Informatics (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell (University of Kentucky)

Postdoctoral Position – Metastatic Breast Cancer (Purdue University)

Research Assistant/Associate – Breast Cancer Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Breast Cancer Research (Georgetown University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Research Scholar – Breast Tumor Growth (University of Iowa)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteoglycans (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (Houston Methodist Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer (Tufts University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Mammary Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (University of Miami)

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