The discovery of small non−coding RNAs and the subsequent analysis of microRNA expression patterns in human cancer specimens have provided completely new insights into cancer biology. Genetic and epigenetic data indicate oncogenic or tumor suppressor function of these pleiotropic regulators. Therefore, many studies analyzed the expression and function of microRNA in human breast cancer, the most frequent malignancy in females. However, very little is known so far about microRNA expression in male breast cancer, accounting for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases. »
03/23/10

Over−expression of HER2 in a subset of breast cancers (HER2+) is associated with high histological grade and aggressive clinical course. Despite these distinctive features, the differences in response of HER2+ patients to both adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapy (e.g. trastuzumab) suggests that unrecognized biologic and clinical diversity is confounding treatment strategies. Furthermore, the small but established risk of cardiac morbidity with trastuzumab therapy compels efforts towards the identification of biomarkers that might help stratify patients. »
03/22/10

Clusterin is a secreted glycoprotein that is upregulated in a variety of cell lines in response to stress, and enhances cell survival. A second nuclear isoform of clusterin that is associated with cell death has also been identified. The aim of this study was to determine the role(s) of the secretory isoform in breast tumor progression and metastasis. »
03/22/10

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) have recently been suggested to have a role in tumorigenesis. »
03/22/10

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent lipid mediator that acts on a series of specific G protein−coupled receptors, leading to diverse biological actions. Lysophosphatidic acid induces cell proliferation, survival and migration, which are critically required for tumour formation and metastasis. »
03/16/10

Pre−clinical studies have demonstrated synergistic anti−tumour effects of chemotherapy (CT) and zoledronic acid (ZOL). Within the AZURE trial, designed to determine whether the addition of ZOL to neoadjuvant therapy improves disease outcomes, a subgroup received neoadjuvant CT. We report a retrospective evaluation comparing pathological response in the primary tumour between treatment groups. »
03/16/10

In this study, beta2−AR level was found to be up−regulated in MCF−7 cells overexpressing Her2 (MCF−7/Her2). Correlation of beta2−AR level with Her2 status was demonstrated in breast cancer tissue samples. »
03/17/10

Previous studies have demonstrated that the persistent exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells to nicotine (Nic) through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors increases cyclin D1 promoter activity and protein expression. The main purpose of this study is to elucidate the carcinogenic role of cyclin D3, which is involved in breast tumorigenesis when induced by Nic. »
03/13/10

Patients with ER/PR/HER2−negative (triple negative) breast cancer are not candidates for hormonal therapy or HER2−targeted agents. Ongoing research is aimed at identifying and understanding the benefit of established and emerging therapies in this disease setting. »
03/13/10

Nicastrin is an essential component of the gamma secretase (GS) enzyme complex, required for its synthesis and recognition of substrates for proteolytic cleavage. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether nicastrin has prognostic value or potential as a therapeutic target in breast cancer (BC). »
03/12/10