Gene Therapy Kills Breast Cancer Stem Cells, Boosts Chemotherapy
Gene therapy delivered directly to a particularly stubborn type of breast cancer cell causes the cells to self-destruct, lowers chance of recurrence and helps increase the effectiveness of some types of chemotherapy, researchers reported. [Press release from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discussing online prepublication in Cancer Cell] Press Release | Abstract

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Molecular Characterization of the Tumor-Suppressive Function of Nischarin in Breast Cancer
Nischarin (encoded by NISCH), an α5 integrin–binding protein, has been identified as a regulator of breast cancer cell invasion. Scientists hypothesized that it might be a tumor suppressor and were interested in its regulation. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract | Press Release

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Is a Master Regulator of Breast Cancer Metastatic Niche Formation
Here, researchers demonstrate that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 is a critical regulator of breast cancer metastatic niche formation through induction of multiple members of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, including LOX, LOX-like 2, and LOX-like 4, which catalyze collagen cross-linking in the lungs before bone marrow-derived cell recruitment. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A] Abstract

Integrated Molecular Profiles of Invasive Breast Tumors and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Reveal Differential Vascular and Interleukin Signaling
Investigators use an integrated approach to understand breast cancer heterogeneity by modeling mRNA, copy number alterations, microRNAs, and methylation in a pathway context utilizing the pathway recognition algorithm using data integration on genomic models. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A] Abstract

Breast Cancer Subtype Specific Interactions with the Microenvironment Dictate Mechanisms of Invasion
Here scientists report that co-culture of mammary fibroblasts specifically triggers invasive behavior in basal-type breast cancer cells through a ligand independent mechanism. [Cancer Res] Abstract

SIRT1 Is Essential for Oncogenic Signaling by Estrogen/Estrogen Receptor α in Breast Cancer
In this study, researchers show that SIRT1 is critical for estrogen to promote breast cancer. [Cancer Res] Abstract

A Kinome-Wide Screen Identifies the Insulin/IGF-1 Receptor Pathway as a Mechanism of Escape from Hormone Dependence in Breast Cancer
In this study, investigators sought to identify kinases essential for growth of estrogen receptor α positive breast cancer cells resistant to long term estrogen deprivation. [Cancer Res] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Randomized Trial of Tamoxifen Versus Combined Tamoxifen and Octreotide LAR Therapy in the Adjuvant Treatment of Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women: NCIC CTG MA.14
This trial was undertaken to assess whether octreotide would lower insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Phase III Study of Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide with Concomitant Versus Sequential Docetaxel as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Normal, Node-Positive Breast Cancer: BCIRG-005 Trial
Scientists performed an adjuvant trial to compare the sequential regimen of doxorubicin with cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel with the combination regimen of TAC. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

A Phase II Trial of Dasatinib in Patients with Advanced HER2-Positive and/or Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
A phase II trial of dasatinib, a potent oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of SRC-family kinases, was performed in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and/or hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Positive Results from Phase II Clinical Study of NKTR-102 in Metastatic Breast Cancer Presented in Oral Session at the ASCO 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium
Nektar Therapeutics announced that positive results from the company's Phase II clinical study of NKTR-102 in patients with metastatic breast cancer were presented. [Press release from Nektar Therapeutics discussing research presented at the ASCO 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

Chemotherapy Is As Effective Before Breast Cancer Surgery As After
Whether chemotherapy is given before or after breast-conserving therapy does not have an impact on long-term local-regional outcomes, suggesting treatment success is due more to biologic factors than chemotherapy timing, according to a study. [Press release from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discussing research presented at the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

RXi Pharmaceuticals Provides Positive NeuVax™ Phase III Clinical Trial Update
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced a clinical trial update on its lead program, NeuVax™ (E75 peptide vaccine with GM-CSF adjuvant), a cancer immunotherapy targeted for low-to-intermediate HER2 expressing breast cancer patients not eligible for trastuzamab (Herceptin®). [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

Lapatinib Clinical Trial Update
A planned interim review of early data from ALTTO a Phase III, four arm study of adjuvant lapatinib (Tykerb/Tyverb®), trastuzumab, their sequence and their combination in patients with HER2 positive early stage breast cancer, has resulted in a change to the ongoing study. [GlaxoSmithKline plc] Press Release

Researchers Receive $1.1 Million in Cancer Funds
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario Region recently awarded $1.1 million in new grants to fund five promising breast cancer programs involving University of Western Ontario researchers. [The University of Western Ontario] Press Release

Chinese Science Ministry Increases Funding
The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology unveiled a list of 64 research projects to be funded under the sixth round of its annual National Major Scientific Research Program. [Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, China] Press Release

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)

NEW VI Brazilian Congress on Stem Cells and Cell Therapy
September 28-October 1, 2011
Salvador, Brazil

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

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Contract Assay Service Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Academic Surgical Pathologist / Breast Pathology (The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Post-Doctoral Position (Michigan State University)

Post-Doctoral Scientists (North Carolina Central University)

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