Mammary Cell News Volume 9.30 | Aug 3 2017

TOP STORY

Targeted Radiotherapy Limits Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer patients who have radiotherapy targeted at the original tumor site experience fewer side effects five years after treatment than those who have whole breast radiotherapy, and their cancer is just as unlikely to return. [Press release from Cancer Research UK discussing online prepublication in The Lancet] Press Release | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Synergistic Action of the MCL-1 Inhibitor S63845 with Current Therapies in Preclinical Models of Triple-Negative and HER2-Amplified Breast Cancer

Scientists tested the MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 in breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenografts with high expression of MCL-1. S63845 displayed synergistic activity with docetaxel in triple-negative breast cancer and with trastuzumab or lapatinib in HER2-amplified breast cancer. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

FolamiRs: Ligand-Targeted, Vehicle-Free Delivery of MicroRNAs for the Treatment of Cancer

Researchers showed that the tumor-suppressive direct attachment of microRNAs to folate (FolamiR), FolamiR-34a, is quickly taken up both by triple-negative breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and by tumors in an autochthonous model of lung cancer and slows their progression. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Oncosis and Apoptosis Induction by Activation of an Overexpressed Ion Channel in Breast Cancer Cells

The authors defined the overexpression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) in a subgroup of breast cancers of the basal molecular subtype. They also reported that pharmacological activation of TRPV4 with GSK1016790A reduced viability of two basal breast cancer cell lines with pronounced endogenous overexpression of TRPV4, MDA-MB-468 and HCC1569. [Oncogene] Abstract

Epigenetic Reprogramming of Lineage-Committed Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Requires DNMT3A and Loss of DOT1L

Investigators showed that primary human mammary epithelial cells lose expression of differentiated mammary epithelial markers in a manner dependent on paracrine factors and epigenetic regulation. They demonstrated that human mammary epithelial cell reprogramming is dependent on gene silencing by the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and loss of histone transcriptional marks following downregulation of the methyltransferase DOT1L. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

MicroRNA-519a-3p Mediates Apoptosis Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells and Their Escape from Recognition by Natural Killer Cells

Researchers demonstrated that miR-519a-3p confers resistance to apoptosis induced by TRAIL, FasL and granzyme B/perforin by interfering with apoptosis signaling in breast cancer cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

SERS Investigation of Cancer Cells Treated with PDT: Quantification of Cell Survival and Follow-up

Surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) data recorded from mouse mammary glands cancer cells was used to assess information regarding differences between control, death and viable cells after photodynamic pherapy treatment (PDT). [Sci Rep] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Role of Cytotoxic Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Predicting Outcomes in Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Researchers investigated the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells, in the prediction of outcomes in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer randomized to an antibody-based (trastuzumab) vs a small molecule-based (lapatinib) anti-HER2 therapy. [JAMA Oncol] Abstract

Stathmin1 Expression Is Associated with Aggressive Phenotypes and Cancer Stem Cell Marker Expression in Breast Cancer Patients

Scientists determined the relationship between stathmin1 (STMN1) expression and several cancer-related markers in breast cancer. Using immunohistochemistry, they evaluated STMN1, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, Ki-67, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), CK5/6, CD44, CD24, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, E-cadherin, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, and vimentin in 237 breast cancer patients and the clinical significance of STMN1. [Int J Oncol] Full Article

Breast Cancer Complexity: Implications of Intratumoral Heterogeneity in Clinical Management

Researchers showed that the fates of tumor stem cells/progenitor cells in the individual tumor ecosystems comprising a tumor are predetermined to follow a limited (unipotent) and/or unlimited (multipotent) path of differentiation which create conditions for active generation and maintenance of heterogeneity. [Cancer Metastasis Rev] Abstract

Tumor Organoids as a Pre-Clinical Cancer Model for Drug Discovery

The authors highlight what is currently known about tumor organoid culture, the advantages and challenges of the model system, compare it with other pre-clinical cancer models, and evaluate its value for drug development. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract

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

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Clovis Oncology Announce a Broad Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate Combination of Opdivo^® (Nivolumab) and Rubraca^® (Rucaparib) in Phase II and Pivotal Phase III Clinical Trials in Multiple Tumor Types

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced the companies have entered into a clinical collaboration agreement to evaluate the combination of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo and Clovis Oncology’s poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor Rubraca in pivotal Phase III clinical trials. [Clovis Oncology, Inc.] Press Release

Generex Announces Collaboration with Merck to Evaluate KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) in Combination with AE37 in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Generex Biotechnology Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. has entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Merck, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, to evaluate Antigen’s AE37 cancer vaccine in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab), in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. [Generex Biotechnology Corp. (Business Wire, Inc)] Press Release

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Enrollment in the Phase III Pivotal Study (ADVANCE) of ROLONTIS™ (Eflapegrastim), a Novel Long-Acting GCSF

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the company has completed enrollment with 405 patients randomized in the ROLONTIS Phase III ADVANCE pivotal study under a Special Protocol Assessment with the FDA. The study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of ROLONTIS in the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer. [Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Avelas Biosciences Doses First Patient in Phase II Study of AVB-620 in Women with Primary, Nonrecurrent Breast Cancer Undergoing Surgery

Avelas Biosciences, Inc. announced the first patient has been dosed in its Phase II clinical trial of AVB-620 in women with primary, nonrecurrent breast cancer undergoing surgery. [Avelas Biosciences] Press Release

Amgen And Allergan Submit Biosimilar Biologics License Application for ABP 980 To US FDA

Amgen and Allergan plc. announced the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. FDA for ABP 980, a biosimilar candidate to Herceptin^® (trastuzumab). Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on four oncology biosimilar medicines, including ABP 980 which is the second to be submitted for FDA approval. [Amgen Inc. (PR Newswire)] Press Release

After French Drug Trial Tragedy, European Union Issues New Rules to Protect Study Volunteers

The European Medicines Agency has issued new, stricter rules for studies that test drugs in people for the first time. They aim to better protect participants in such first-in-human studies—often healthy volunteers who receive a financial reward. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why Would a University Pay a Scientist Found Guilty of Misconduct to Leave?

In June 2016, investigators at the University of Georgia in Athens concluded that Azza El-Remessy, a faculty member who studied the impact of diabetes on the eye, had committed misconduct and recommended she be terminated. El-Remessy hired a lawyer to dispute the findings, but the following October she gave up her challenge after the university paid her $100,000—essentially to leave. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

University of Tokyo Probe Says Chromosome Team Doctored Images

After a nearly year-long investigation into anonymous allegations of data and image falsification in numerous papers, a University of Tokyo committee announced it had confirmed that one research group falsified images and graphs in five papers. The panel cleared five other research groups of wrongdoing. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Jordan Stakes Its Future on Science

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan successfully lured the high-profile biennial conference to the Middle East for the first time — part of Jordan’s ongoing push to transform itself into a regional research powerhouse. The country hopes to emphasize the power of science to transcend politics and war in the increasingly volatile Middle East. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 11^th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – Japanese Cancer Association (JCA) Joint Conference
February 8-12, 2019
Maui, Hawaii, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Research (Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center)

NEW Canada Research Chair – Tumor Biology (University of Manitoba)

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

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

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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