Tumor Cells that Mimic Blood Vessels Could Help Breast Cancer Spread to Other Sites
Researchers has discovered that two genes, Serpine2 and Slpi, help direct a phenomenon known as “vascular mimicry.” Vascular mimicry involves the formation of tubular networks made of tumor cells, which can transport blood to different parts of a tumor. They found that reducing the expression of Serpine2 or Slpi in a primary tumor reduced vascular mimicry in the tumor. [Press Release from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discussing online publication in Nature]
Press Release|Abstract|Editorial
Loss of TGFβ Receptor Type 2 Expression Impairs Estrogen Response and Confers Tamoxifen Resistance
Investigators confirmed that cell cycle or apoptosis responses to estrogen or tamoxifen in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer cells were impaired by TGFβ receptor type 2 silencing, as was ERα phosphorylation, tamoxifen-induced transcriptional activation of TGFβ, and upregulation of the multidrug resistance protein ABCG2. [Cancer Res] Abstract
Aromatase Expression Increases the Survival and Malignancy of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Cells
Scientists showed that the aromatase expression increased when estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positive breast cancer cells were cultured in suspension. Treatment with the aromatase substrate, testosterone, inhibited suspension culture-induced apoptosis whereas an aromatase inhibitor attenuated the effect of testosterone suggesting that suspended circulating ERα positive breast cancer cells may up-regulate intracrine estrogen activity for survival. [PLoS One]
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UNC Lineberger Sequences 10,000 Tumors as Part of National Cancer Genomics Effort
The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is leading a national, multi-year, collaborative effort to characterize the genetic changes in nearly 30 cancer types. Earlier this year, UNC Lineberger hit a milestone in this effort – sequencing 10,000 samples of cancer tumor tissue. [UNC Lineberger] Press Release
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