Mammary Cell News Volume 9.29 | Jul 27 2017

TOP STORY

Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 21 Stabilizes BRCA2 to Control DNA Repair and Tumor Growth

Researchers identified the ubiquitin-specific protease, USP21, as a positive regulator of BRCA2, a key mediator of DNA repair by homologous recombination. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Conditional Expression of Ki-Ras^G12V in the Mammary Epithelium of Transgenic Mice Induces Estrogen Receptor Alpha-Positive Adenocarcinoma

Scientists engineered a novel transgenic mouse line expressing the human Ki-Ras bearing an activating mutation (Ki-Ras^(G12V)) selectively in the mammary epithelium after lactation. [Oncogene] Abstract

Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNA Landscape in Breast Cancer

TINCR, LINC00511, and PPP1R26-AS1 were identified as subtype-specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with HER-2, triple-negative and luminal B subtypes of breast cancer, respectively. The knockdown of TINCR, DSCAM-AS1 or HOTAIR inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and inhibited cell cycle progression in vitro. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Breast Carcinoma in Mice

It has been demonstrated that 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) remarkably inhibits the growth of human breast cancer cells with little toxicity. The authors investigated the toxicity and efficacy of DMDD to treat metastatic breast tumors using an in vivo mouse model of the 4T1 mammary carcinoma. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Functional Characterization of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 2 (LSD2/KDM1B) in Breast Cancer Progression

Investigators showed that lysine-specific demethylase 2 (LSD2) protein levels were significantly elevated in malignant breast cell lines compared with normal breast epithelial cell lines. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Jagged1 Promotes Aromatase Inhibitor Resistance by Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophage Differentiation in Breast Cancer Patients

Scientists analyzed the role of Jagged1 in the regulation of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization to investigate whether the Jagged1-Notch pathway promotes the acquisition of aromatase inhibitor resistance by upregulating TAM infiltration. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Functional Importance of PP2A Regulatory Subunit Loss in Breast Cancer

The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subunit expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in human breast tumors, and by qPCR and immunoblotting in breast cancer cell lines. PP2A subunits were inhibited by shRNA, and mutant PP2A genes overexpressed, in MCF10A and MCF7 cells, and growth and signaling in standard and three-dimensional cultures were assessed. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Single Factors Alone Can Induce Mesenchymal-Like Morphology, but Not Promote Full EMT in Breast Cancer Cell Lines with Different Hormone Statuses

Researchers investigated if hypoxia, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) and the Notch ligand Jagged-1 alone induced morphological changes with corresponding epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) signatures in different epithelial breast cancer cell lines in vitro. They also studied whether or not TGF-β1, or Jagged-1 in combination with hypoxia added any effect on EMT. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

TGF-β-Dependent Growth Arrest and Cell Migration in Benign and Malignant Breast Epithelial Cells Are Antagonistically Controlled by Rac1 and Rac1b

TGF-β inhibited breast cancer development by inducing cell cycle arrest in both, cancer cells and, as part of a senescence program in normal human mammary epithelial cells. Depletion of Rac1b or Rac1 and Rac1b in MDA-MB-231 or MDA-MB-435s breast cancer cells by RNA interference enhanced or suppressed, respectively, TGF-β1-induced migration/invasion. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

PTENP1 Acts as a ceRNA to Regulate PTEN by Sponging miR-19b and Explores the Biological Role of PTENP1 in Breast Cancer

Investigators measured expressions of PTENP1, miR-19b and PTEN in 65 matched breast cancer cancerous and noncancerous tissues by quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR and investigated the biological effects of PTENP1 in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by several in vitro experiments including Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, transwell and Annexin V-FITC/PI analysis. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

A Preliminary Study of ¹⁸F-FES PET/CT in Predicting Metastatic Breast Cancer in Patients Receiving Docetaxel or Fulvestrant with Docetaxel

Researchers evaluated the clinical value of ¹⁸F-FES PET/CT in monitoring the change of estrogen receptor expression and potential predictive value in metastatic breast cancer patients. Twenty-two pathology-confirmed breast cancer patients were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure-Response of Trastuzumab Emtansine in Advanced Breast Cancer Previously Treated with ≥2 HER2-Targeted Regimens

Investigators conducted population pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analyses for trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) to assess the need for T-DM1 dose optimization in patients with low exposure by using TH3RESA study data. The randomized phase III TH3RESA study investigated T-DM1 vs. treatment of physician’s choice in patients with heavily pretreated HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. [Br J Clin Pharmacol] Abstract

Next-Generation Proteomics and Its Application to Clinical Breast Cancer Research

The authors discuss the technological advancements in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, which allow analysis of breast cancer tissue samples, leading to the first large-scale breast cancer proteomics studies. [Am J Pathol] Full Article

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Palbociclib, Ribociclib, and Abemaciclib

Researchers discuss preclinical and clinical data to date, and ongoing clinical trials with palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib in breast cancer. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Treating Breast Cancer with Cell-Based Approaches: An Overview

Scientists address cell therapy for breast cancer, including autologous stem cell transplantations for overcoming the myelosuppressive effects of high-dose chemotherapy, allogeneic stem cell transplants and adoptive immunotherapy using bone-marrow derived T-cells. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

Current Trials to Reduce Surgical Intervention in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: Critical Review

The high proportion of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) presented in mammographic screening and the relatively low risk of progression to invasive disease have raised questions related to overtreatment. Following a review of current DCIS management protocols a more conservative approach has been suggested. [Breast] Abstract

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

NERLYNX Tablets Approved for HER2+ Breast Cancer in the Extended Adjuvant Setting

Biologics, Inc. announced it has been selected to be in the limited distribution network for Puma Biotechnology, Inc.’s new product, NERLYNX, a kinase inhibitor approved by the U.S. FDA. [Biologics, Inc.] Press Release

Seattle Genetics Announces Clinical Collaboration to Expand the Therapeutic Evaluation of SGN-LIV1A in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced a clinical collaboration agreement with Genentech for the evaluation of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate SGN-LIV1A in combination with atezolizumab in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. [Seattle Genetics, Inc.] Press Release

AstraZeneca and Merck Establish Strategic Oncology Collaboration

AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., announced that they have entered a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize AstraZeneca’s LYNPARZA for multiple cancer types. LYNPARZA is an innovative, first-in-class oral poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitor currently approved for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer in multiple lines of treatment. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

ESMO Awards Recognize Four Outstanding Oncologists

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has announced the recipients of its four distinguished annual awards. Receiving the ESMO Award, Miguel Martin is recognized for his important contributions in the field of breast cancer. The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to José Baselga for his pivotal role in breast cancer drug development. [ESMO] Press Release

First Human Embryos Edited in U.S.

The first known attempt at creating genetically modified human embryos in the United States has been carried out by a team of researchers in Portland, Oregon. The effort, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University, involved changing the DNA of a large number of one-cell embryos with the gene-editing technique CRISPR, according to people familiar with the scientific results. [MIT Technology Review] Editorial

Ding, Ding, Ding! CRISPR Patent Fight Enters Next Round

The University of California has fired another legal salvo in the prolonged patent battle over CRISPR, the revolutionary gene-editing technology that has spawned a billion dollar industry. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Budding UK Innovation Agency Gains Cash — and Clout

UK scientists fearful for their research funds ahead of Brexit were cheered when the government announced it would plough an extra £4.7 billion (US$6.1 billion) into research and development by 2020–21. But the biggest winner from the largely industry-focused cash may be a government innovation agency that is rapidly gaining clout. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Spending Panel Would Squeeze Science Agencies but Exceed Trump Request

A Senate spending panel voted to reduce funding in 2018 below current levels for several science agencies under its jurisdiction. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress
October 19-23, 2018
Munich, Germany

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

NEW Higher Scientific Officer – Breast Cancer Research (Institute of Cancer Research)

NEW PhD Student – Breast Cancer Biology (VIB-KULeuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB))

NEW Post-Doctoral Associate – Breast Cancer (Baylor College of Medicine)

NEW Associate Medical Director/Medical Director – Breast Cancer (Genentech, Inc.)

RCSI Funded PhD – Cancer Systems Biology/Bioinformatics (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Cancer Research (University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Genomics (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Canada Research Chair – Tumor Biology (University of Manitoba)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Experimental Oncology (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Positions – Breast Cancer (Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine)

Clinician Investigator – Breast Cancer Research (Mayo Clinic)

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