Connexon Creative - Mammary Cell News 1.23, October 22th, 2009

In this issue: Science News | Current Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events

TOP STORIES

Study Shows How Normal Cells Influence Tumor Growth
A new study shows for the first time that the loss of a gene called PTEN from normal cells surrounding a tumor can dramatically alter the environment in ways that foster tumor growth. [Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus]

SPECIAL FEATURE

NEW Webinar: ALDEFLUOR® and Cancer Stem Cells

SCIENCE NEWS

Hormone Mix Could Cut Breast Cancer Risk and Treat Symptoms of Menopause
The right combination of estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which blocks the effects of estrogen in breast tissue, could relieve menopause symptoms and cut breast cancer risk. [Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven]

Experts Issue Call to Reconsider Screening for Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer
Twenty years of screening for breast and prostate cancer - the most diagnosed cancer for women and men - have not brought the anticipated decline in deaths from these diseases, argue experts. [University of California, San Francisco]

Gene Blamed for Immunological Disorders Shown to Protect Against Breast Cancer Development
Researchers are voicing alarm that drugs to treat a wide variety of allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases now in human clinical trials may errantly spur development of breast tumors. [Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC]

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

LABORATORY RESEARCH

PTEN in Stromal Fibroblasts Suppresses Mammary Epithelial Tumours
Genetic inactivation of PTEN in stromal fibroblasts of mouse mammary glands accelerated the initiation, progression and malignant transformation of mammary epithelial tumours. [Nature]

Regulation of Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cells by PTEN/Akt/Beta-Catenin Signaling
Studies demonstrates an important role for the PTEN/PI3-K/Akt/Beta-catenin pathway in the regulation of normal and malignant stem/progenitor cell populations and suggest that agents that inhibit this pathway are able to effectively target tumorigenic breast cancer cells. [PLoS Biol]

Recurrent Fusion of MYB and NFIB Transcription Factor Genes in Carcinomas of the Breast and Head and Neck
Researchers describe a new mechanism of activation of MYB in human cancer involving gene fusion. [PNAS]

Notch-1 Activates Estrogen Receptor-Alpha-Dependent Transcription via IKKAlpha in Breast Cancer Cells
Observations suggest that a hitherto unknown Notch-1/ERAlpha chromatin crosstalk mediates Notch signaling effects in ERAlpha-positive breast cancer cells and contributes to regulate the transcriptional functions of ERAlpha itself. [Oncogene]

LMO4 is an Essential Mediator of ErbB2/HER2/Neu-Induced Breast Cancer Cell Cycle Progression
Researchers report that the transcriptional regulator LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4) is a downstream target of ErbB2 and PI3K in ErbB2-dependent breast cancer cells. [Oncogene]

Development of Mammary Luminal Progenitor Cells is Controlled by the Transcription Factor STAT5A
Mammary alveologenesis is abrogated in the absence of the transcription factors STAT5A/5B, which mediate cytokine signaling. Researchers studied the underlying causes of this developmental block. [Genes Dev]

Immunoselection of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Cells With Trastuzumab and Natural Killer Cells: Selective Escape of CD44high/CD24low/HER2low Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by trastuzumab and NK cells may spare the actual tumor-initiating cells, which could explain clinical relapse and progress. [Cancer Res]

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Feasibility Trial of Letrozole in Combination With Bevacizumab in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Combination letrozole and bevacizumab was feasible with expected bevacizumab-related events of hypertension, headache, and proteinuria. Phase III proof-of-efficacy trials of endocrine therapy plus bevacizumab are in progress. [J Clin Oncol]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports 61% Objective Response Rate in 46-Patient Bavituximab Phase II Trial in Advanced Breast Cancer
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported additional positive results in its Phase II trial evaluating bavituximab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Bionovo Announces Publication of Data on Potential Increase in Breast Cancer Risk Due to the Inhibitory Effect of Tamoxifen Treatment on Estrogen Receptor Beta
Bionovo Inc. announced today the publication of results from its study on the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on estrogen receptor beta (ERb) gene regulation.

Biotechs Back From the Dead
The financial crisis was supposed to annihilate small companies, but many survived.

POLICY NEWS

A Clear Line on Stem Cells
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009 will be introduced shortly codify Mr. Obama's executive order permitting federal funding of such research within guidelines established by the NIH.

EVENTS

32nd Annual CTRC - AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
December 9-13, 2009
San Antonio, TX

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Symposium - Breast Cancer
October 19, 2009
Atlanta, GA, United States

Gordon Research Conference - Mammary Gland Biology
June 6-11, 2010
Lucca (Barga), Italy

The 21st Meeting of the European Association for Cancer Research
June 26-29, 2010
Oslo, Norway

Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

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