Volume 6.23 | Jun 19 - Mammary Cell News

Mammary Cell News 6.23 June 19, 2014

TOP STORY

Tugging on the “Malignant” Switch
Researchers have identified a possible mechanism by which normal cells turn malignant in mammary epithelial tissues, the tissues frequently involved in breast cancer. By isolating mechanical and biological variables one by one in vitro, researchers discovered how the physical forces and chemical environment in those dense tissues can drive cells into a dangerously invasive, proliferating mode. [Press release from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences discussing online prepublication in Nature Materials] Press Release | Abstract

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PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Hydroxychloroquine Inhibits Autophagy to Potentiate Antiestrogen Responsiveness in ER⁺ Breast Cancer
Investigators showed that hydroxychloroquine can increase antiestrogen responsiveness in tamoxifen (TAM)-resistant MCF7-RR and ICI-resistant/TAM cross-resistant LCC9 ER⁺ breast cancer cells and tumors, likely through the inhibition of autophagy. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release

The Kinase LMTK3 Promotes Invasion in Breast Cancer through GRB2-Mediated Induction of Integrin β₁
Lemur tyrosine kinase 3 (LMTK3) is associated with cell proliferation and endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Researchers found that, in cultured breast cancer cell lines, LMTK3 promotes the development of a metastatic phenotype by inducing the expression of genes encoding integrin subunits. [Sci Signal]
Abstract | Press Release

Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A Regulates Mitosis and Is Epigenetically Silenced in Breast Cancer
Experimental manipulation of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPPA) levels in human mammary epithelial cells and in breast cancer cell lines demonstrates that progression through early mitosis is dependent on PAPPA function, and that breast cancer cells become more invasive after downregulation of this protease. [J Pathol] Abstract

Targeting WNT1-Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein 2 Alters Human Breast Cancer Cell Susceptibility to Specific Lysis through Regulation of KLF-4 and miR-7 Expression
Investigators found that silencing WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 2 signaling in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells impairs cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated cell killing by a mechanism involving stem cell marker Kruppel-like factor-4 induction and microRNA-7 (miR-7) downregulation. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nicastrin and Notch4 Drive Endocrine Therapy Resistance and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells
Researchers found that endocrine therapies resistant cells acquired an epithelial mesenchymal transition phenotype and displayed increased levels of Nicastrin and Notch targets. They detected higher level of Notch4 but lower levels of Notch1 and Notch2 suggesting a switch to signaling through different Notch receptors after acquisition of resistance. [Breast Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Neuregulin-3 Regulates Epithelial Progenitor Cell Positioning and Specifies Mammary Phenotype
Mutation of Neuregulin-3 (Nrg3) results in defective embryonic mammary gland development. Researchers investigated functions of Nrg3 signaling in embryonic mammary morphogenesis. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Butein Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth by Reducing a Production of Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species
Scientists demonstrate that butein inhibition of reactive oxygen species production results in suppression of breast cancer growth. Different breast cancer cell lines were treated with butein and then subjected to cell viability and apoptosis assays. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Downregulation of miR-221/222 Enhances Sensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to Tamoxifen through Upregulation of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3
Researchers investigated the roles and mechanisms of miR-221/222 in breast cancer cells, particularly in modulating response to tamoxifen therapy. The therapeutic sensitivity of these cells, transfected and untransfected, to tamoxifen was determined. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Overexpression of Prostate Tumor Overexpressed 1 Correlates with Tumor Progression and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer
Researchers investigated the expression and clinicopathological significance of PTOV1 in breast cancer. Data revealed that PTOV1 was frequently overexpressed in breast cancer cell lines compared to normal human breast epithelial cells and in primary breast cancer samples compared to adjacent noncancerous breast tissues, at both the mRNA and protein levels. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Single Cell Mutational Analysis of PIK3CA in Circulating Tumor Cells and Metastases in Breast Cancer Reveals Heterogeneity, Discordance, and Mutation Persistence in Cultured Disseminated Tumor Cells from Bone Marrow
Researchers used the MagSweeper, an immunomagnetic separation device, to capture live single tumor cells from breast cancer patients’ primary and metastatic tissues, blood, and bone marrow. Single cells were screened for known hotspot mutations in exons 9 and 20 of the PIK3CA gene. [BMC Cancer]
Abstract | Full Article

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REVIEWS

X-Chromosome Inactivation in Development and Cancer
Sporadic reactivation of X-linked genes has been reported during aging and in transformed cells and disappearance of the Barr body is frequently observed in cancer cells. Authors summarize current knowledge on the epigenetic changes that accompany X inactivation and discuss the extent to which the inactive X chromosome may be epigenetically or genetically perturbed in breast cancer. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

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

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tracking How Breast Cancer Spreads: Einstein Receives $10 Million NIH Grant
The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a $10 million grant to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University to fund research into how breast cancer cells move and spread in the body, and how to predict which breast cancer tumors will metastasize. [Albert Einstein College of Medicine] Press Release

Response Genetics Launches New Test for Cancer Immunotherapy Drug Development
Response Genetics, Inc. announced the availability of new testing capabilities to advance cancer immunotherapy clinical development. The Immuno-Oncology assay, which runs on HTG Molecular’s Edge System, is designed to measure the RNA expression of 26 commonly investigated immunotherapy related genes enabling screening for response to immunoregulatory pathways. [Response Genetics, Inc.] Press Release

CSHL Breast Cancer Researcher Mikala Egeblad Wins DoD Era of Hope Scholar Award
Associate Professor Mikala Egeblad, Ph.D. has won an Era of Hope Scholar Award from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program. Dr. Egeblad is one of only two recipients of the award this year, and she will receive $2.5 million for her research over the next five years. [Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL)] Press Release

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POLICY NEWS

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

EVENTS

NEW EMBO | EMBL Symposium: Epithelia: The Building Blocks of Multicellularity
August 27-30, 2014
Heidelberg, Germany

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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEW PhD Candidate – ECM Proteins in Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

NEW Postdoctoral Associates – Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland (Princeton University)

NEW Postdoctoral Candidates – Cell Biology (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

NEW Scientist – Mammary Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

PhD Research Fellow – Molecular Cancer Research (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (The University of Queensland)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Microenvironment of Bone Metastasis of Breast and Prostate Cancer (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer and RNA Research (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Research Associates – Pattern Formation during Branching Morphogenesis of the Mammary Gland (Princeton University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Breast Cancer, Mouse Models, Tumor Microenvironment (National Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Research (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Breast Cancer Metastasis (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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