Mammary Cell News Volume 9.36 | Sep 14 2017

TOP STORY

KDM4 Inhibition Targets Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Researchers describe an orally available, selective and potent KDM4 inhibitor (QC6352) with unique preclinical characteristics. To assess the anti-tumor properties of QC6352, they established a method to isolate and propagate breast cancer stem-like cells from individual triple-negative tumors resected from patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Membrane Mucin Muc4 Promotes Blood Cell Association with Tumor Cells and Mediates Efficient Metastasis in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

To assess the contribution of endogenous mucin-4 (Muc4) to mammary tumor growth properties, scientists created a genetically engineered mouse line lacking functional Muc4, and then crossed these animals with the neu deletion mutant model of ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis. [Oncogene] Abstract

H-Ferritin Enriches the Curcumin Uptake and Improves the Therapeutic Efficacy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Investigators developed a biomimetic nanodrug consisting of a self-assembling variant (HFn) of human apoferritin loaded with curcumin. HFn nanocage improved the solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability of curcumin, allowing them to reliably carry out several experiments in the attempt to establish the potential of this molecule as a therapeutic agent and elucidate the mechanism of action in triple negative breast cancer. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

Endothelial Cells Promote Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Metastasis via PAI-1 and CCL5 Signaling

The authors demonstrated that endothelial cells (ECs)—when mixed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells— increased TNBC cell metastatic potency. After treatment with TGF-β to induce endothelial–mesenchymal transition, TNBC cells produced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and stimulated the expression and secretion of the chemokine, CCL5, from ECs, which then acted in a paracrine fashion on TNBC cells to enhance their migration, invasion, and metastasis. [FASEB J] Abstract

ErbB3 Drives Mammary Epithelial Survival and Differentiation during Pregnancy and Lactation

Investigators assessed mRNA expression levels by expression microarray of mouse mammary glands harvested throughout pregnancy and lactation. To study the role of ErbB3 in mammary gland lactogenesis, they used transgenic mice expressing WAP-driven Cre recombinase to generate a mouse model in which conditional ErbB3 ablation occurred specifically in alveolar mammary epithelial cells. [Breast Cancer Res] Full Article

Neuropilin-1 Is Upregulated by Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Is Important for Mammary Stem Cells

Researchers report that Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) expression was induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mammary stem cells (MaSCs), and its function was critical for the activity of MaSCs. Knockdown of Nrp1 by shRNA diminished MaSCs’ in vitro colony formation and in vivo mammary gland reconstitution ability. [Sci Rep] Full Article

FGFR Inhibitor, AZD4547, Impedes the Stemness of Mammary Epithelial Cells in the Premalignant Tissues of MMTV-ErbB2 Transgenic Mice

Scientists investigated the anti-cancer benefits of AZD4547, an fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1)-3 inhibitor, in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer models. AZD4547 demonstrated potent anti-proliferative effects, inhibition of stemness, and suppression of FGFR/receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in ErbB2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Genome-Wide MiRNA Response to Anacardic Acid in Breast Cancer Cells

To identify potential mediators of anacardic acid (AnAc) action in breast cancer, the authors profiled the genome-wide microRNA transcriptome in these two cell lines altered by the AnAc 24:1n5 congener. Only two miRNAs were increased by AnAc in both cell lines: miR-612 and miR-20b; however, opposite miRNA arm preference was noted: miR-20b-3p and miR-20b-5p were upregulated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, respectively. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Anti-Proliferation Activity and Mechanism of Action of K₁₂[V₁₈O₄₂(H₂O)]∙6H₂O on Breast Cancer Cell Lines

The in vitro anti-proliferation activities of K₁₂[V₁₈O₄₂(H₂O)]∙6H₂O (V₁₈) were investigated on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The anti-proliferation activity of V₁₈ might be mediated by arrest of the MCF-7 cells in the G₂/M phase and induction of apoptosis and necrosis. [Molecules] Full Article

Upregulation of SOX2 Activated LncRNA PVT1 Expression Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Invasion

Scientists investigated the role and function of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) PVT1 in the progression of breast cancer and explored the transcription factor, which contributed to the regulation of PVT1 in breast cancer. Their results indicated that the expression of PVT1 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues, compared with adjacent normal tissues. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Breast Cancer: Past, Present and Future

To identify new prognostic and predictive biomarkers for breast cancer, current research is focusing on tumor and circulating DNA and RNA and circulating tumor cells. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

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

Amgen and Allergan Present Phase III Data on Biosimilar Trastuzumab Candidate ABP 980

Amgen and Allergan plc. announced data from a Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ABP 980, a Herceptin^® (trastuzumab) biosimilar, compared with the originator product in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive early breast cancer. [Press release from Amgen (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress, Madrid] Press Release

Puma Biotechnology Presents Five-Year Analysis of Phase III ExteNET Trial in Extended Adjuvant HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. announced the presentation of positive results from the Phase III clinical trial of Puma’s drug neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer following trastuzumab-based therapy in a proffered paper oral session. [Press release from Puma Biotechnology, Inc. discussing research presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress, Madrid] Press Release

Daiichi Sankyo Presents New Data for DS-8201 in Multiple HER2-Expressing Solid Tumors

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited announced that DS-8201, an investigational HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate, demonstrated preliminary antitumor activity in patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors such as colon cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and other tumor types. [Press release from Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited discussing research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress, Madrid] Press Release

Oncolytics Biotech^® Announces the Presentation of REOLYSIN^® Clinical Data

Oncolytics Biotech^® Inc. announced that two poster presentations focused on REOLYSIN^® were presented. [Press release from Oncolytics Biotech^® Inc. discussing research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress, Madrid] Press Release

Fresno State Professor Gets Funding for Breast Cancer Research

A biology laboratory tucked away in the Science I Building at Fresno State is home to several cancer diseases. And $300,000 in new research funds from the National Institutes of Health are now available to more closely study one of those diseases in particular – breast cancer. [California State University, Fresno] Press Release | Video

Theraclion and Co-Lead Investigator Discuss Rationale and Design of First Clinical Trial Combining Echotherapy and Imunotherapy to Treat Metastatic Breast Cancer

Theraclion and co-lead investigator, David Brenin, M.D., Chief of Breast Surgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, discussed the rationale and design of the first clinical trial combining Theraclion’s Echotherapy with the checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, in women with metastatic breast cancer. [Theraclion] Press Release

Congress Rejects Trump Proposals to Cut Health Research Funds

Congress has not only rejected the president’s National Institutes of Health proposal; lawmakers from both parties have joined forces to increase spending on biomedical research — and have bragged about it. [The New York Times] Editorial

UK Gender-Equality Scheme Spreads Across the World

A program that grades UK universities on gender equality in science is going global. Versions of the rating scheme have started up in the past two years in Australia and Ireland, and a small-scale pilot begins next month in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

After Uproar, U.K. Parliament’s Science Committee Now Has a Female Member

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee tweeted that it was “pleased to announced our membership has been confirmed.” Parliamentary committees had been dissolved after the recent U.K. election, and now the panel was rolling out its new contingent of lawmakers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 11^th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-11)
March 21-23, 2018
Barcelona, Spain

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

NEW Postdoctoral Opportunities – Cancer Research (Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York)

Research Associate – Triple Negative Breast Cancer (University of Cambridge)

Faculty Positions – Basic and Translational Cancer Research (Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso)

Postdoctoral Position – Mammary Gland Stem Cells (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Postdoctoral Position – Mammary Tumors (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute)

Lead Senior Molecular Pathology Scientific Officer – Breast Cancer Research (Institute of Cancer Research)

Clinician Investigator – Breast Cancer Research (Mayo Clinic)

Research Fellows – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

Multiple Positions – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

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

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

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

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