Breaking Research News from sources other than Breastcancer.org

Lumpie

Current Breast Cancer Statistics

CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

The authors used large, national databases to provide updated data on incidence, mortality, survival, and screening among female breast cancer patients in the US. Despite a small increase in the breast cancer incidence rate over the past 5 years, mortality from breast cancer continues to decline. There remains a black–white disparity in breast cancer mortality, with the highest death rate seen in black women aged <50 years. In 6 states, breast cancer is now the leading cause of death in black women. Access to high-quality prevention, early detection, and treatment should be improved to optimize outcomes in this population.

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/90666/56?elsca1=e...

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/c...

https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21583

Lumpie

Recorded webinar, Brain Metastasis: Emerging Treatments and Reasons to be Hopeful, is now available for viewing.

Join Dr. Nancy Lin, Director of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as she discusses diagnosis, symptom management, emerging treatments and reasons to be hopeful with Julia Maues, a metastatic breast cancer patient advocate. This program is in collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Young Survival Coalition.

@ 1 hour in length

https://www.sharecancersupport.org/brain-metastasi...

Presented by sharecancersupport.org

marijen

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Lead KATE2 Author Suggests Atezolizumab Benefits HER2+ Breast Cancer Subgroup

Adding atezolizumab may improve outcomes in HER2+ breast cancer with PD-L1 expression.

Safety Analysis Supports Adjuvant T-DM1 Use in Early HER2+ Breast Cancer

Michael Untch, MD, PhD, discusses a secondary analysis of safety results from the phase III KATHERINE trial.

FDA Updates Neratinib Label in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Review the new safety data included in neratinib's labeling supplement.

Fixed-Dose Subcutaneous Pertuzumab Combo Shows Noninferiority in HER2+ Breast Cancer

The fixed-dose subcutaneous injection formulation plus intravenous chemotherapy had noninferior pharmacokinetics versus standard IV infusions of the regimen in patients with HER2-positive early disease.

debbew

New treatment combination could work against broader array of cancer cells, study finds [but no trials for bc with this combo yet]

In a proof of concept study, the researchers demonstrated that combining a PARP inhibitor with a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor delivered a one-two punch to non-small cell lung cancer tumors, which are normally not associated with mutations in BRCA genes. The research, conducted in mouse models and cell lines, outlines the mechanistic action of the combination. The DNMT inhibitor triggers an effect that mimics a BRCA mutation in the cancer cell so the cell responds to the lethal effects of the PARP inhibitor, which prevents repair of damage to a tumor cell's DNA, triggering cell death.

"When combined, these agents cause interactions that significantly disrupt cancer cells' ability to survive DNA damage," said study senior author, Feyruz V. Rassool, PhD, professor of radiation oncology at UMSOM. "Our findings could expand the use of PARP inhibitors beyond the minority of inherited cancers that it now treats."

..."Finding a new paradigm to attack cancer cells is very exciting, especially when researchers can make use of drugs that are already on the market and have been well tested for efficacy and toxicity," said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, UM Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine. "

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/uoms-ntc101319.php

Lumpie

Is it possible to prevent breast cancer metastasis?

Study reveals how blood vessels in the bone marrow protect dormant tumor cells, suggests a way to kill them in their sleep

January 21, 2019

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle may have found a way to essentially smother cancer cells in their sleep, preventing them from ever waking up and forming deadly metastatic tumors.

It's always been assumed that dormant cells cannot be killed by any kind of chemotherapy because they're not dividing," said Ghajar, who runs the Laboratory for the Study of Metastatic Microenvironments at Fred Hutch. "But what we're showing is that's not true. They're relying on survival signaling in their microenvironment, in this case specifically from blood vessels within the bone marrow. And if you can take away that signaling, you can sensitize them to chemotherapy."

...a clinical trial could be three to five years away....

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2019...

marijen

Sounds like the title of a horror movie “Kill Them in Their Sleep”. That’s awesome!

Lumpie

Yes! That's a happy thought isn't it! Just the sort of thing you'd want to do to cancer!

Lumpie

When Breast Cancer Hides in Plain Sight with Lynda Weatherby Real Pink

This week on Real Pink we are hosting daily conversations about breast cancer that hides in the shadows: metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

In the US alone, MBC is expected to kill 42,000 people. This special episode, featuring Lynda Weatherby, is part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Special Guest: Lynda Weatherby.
Sponsored By: Susan G. Komen - MBC Week: Susan G. Komen is proud to launch the "MBC Fund" specifically designed to spur scientific discoveries and support those women and men living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, building on Komen's $210 million investment in metastatic breast cancer research. For more information on the MBC Fund and how to support it, visit www.komen.org/MBC.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-pink/id...

{Podcast re MBC.}

marijen

Men account for a small fraction of breast cancer cases. Their fatality rate has soared compared with women's

https://www.statnews.com/2019/10/11/mortality-rate...

marijen

Watch: In a quest for more precise cancer care, hospitals invest in new tools — and new training, too

https://www.statnews.com/2019/09/30/precise-cancer...

marijen

A small biotech raises the price on its cancer drug by 20% this year, but will anyone notice?

https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2019/10/09/puma-biotech-drug-prices-cancer/

Lumpie

This Free Tool for Doctors Can Cut 5 Years Off Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy

Experts say the online algorithm can accurately predict the risk of reoccurrence of breast cancer and cut post-treatment therapy from 10 to 5 years.

the new algorithm, called CTS5, could cut hormone therapy in half, from 10 years to 5, for certain patients.

Researchers from The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and Queen Mary University of London presented their findings {in June 2019}.

Experts told Healthline that CTS5 is a simple, effective tool that can help some patients avoid years of unnecessary therapy.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/clinical-ca...

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2019/smd/clinica...

https://www.cts5-calculator.com/

{Additional links to sources in article.}

Lumpie

ESMO Breast Cancer Roundtable: Episode 1

What role does genomic testing play in HR+ breast cancer?

At the recent ESMO Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Hope Rugo, MD, Jennifer Litton, MD, and Michelle Melisko, MD, gathered to discuss new and some potentially practice-changing data from the meeting on advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

In the first of five exclusive MedPage Today episodes, the discussion centers on use and interpretation of how to approach genomic testing for the management of patients, and how the results can inform treatment decisions and improve patient management.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/esmoe...

{Transcript and video}

marijen

FDA Grants Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Priority Review for HER2+ Breast Cancer

Review the data supporting the application for this antibody-drug conjugate.

debbew

Blocking tumor evolution to halt cancer drug resistance

[R]esearchers at Massey University and the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery in New Zealand are developing a new class of drug that could put the brakes on these evolutionary processes by targeting a less-essential immune system enzyme that triggers some of the initial mutations of tumor DNA...

APOBEC-3B has been identified as major source of genetic mutations in multiple breast, bladder, cervical, lung, ovarian and head and neck cancers, according to co-corresponding author Vyacheslav Filichev, a professor at Massey University...

The study, published in the journal Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, details the work of Filichev's team in synthesizing short oligonucleotides toward a treatment that targets specific APOBEC3 enzymes.

Following these first steps, Filichev estimates that it may take five to 10 years before a potential therapy reaches clinical trials.

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/blocking-tumor-evolution-to-halt-cancer-drug-resistance

Lumpie

Left-right difference in breast cancer inspires new research, Ann Ramsdell, TEDxColumbiaSC

{Interesting presentation from 2015 re left-right breast tumor laterality.}

Related articles:

Mammary glands exhibit molecular laterality and undergo left-right asymmetric ductal epithelial growth in MMTV-cNeu mice

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4261057/

doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.149

Asymmetric Cancer Hallmarks in Breast Tumors on Different Sides of the Body

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0157416

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157416

Left–right analysis of mammary gland development in retinoid X receptor-α^+/− mice

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rstb.2015.0416

https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0416

MinusTwo

Lumpie - one of the best things I've watched in a long time. Thanks for posting.

mysticalcity

Agree--Lumpie this was fascinating reading. . . .thank you for posting.

Lumpie

Thanks for the feedback. I will watch for more of these. If you have a moment, let me know what features/aspects you liked. multi-media (video), "accessible" research, etc. I got a link to a podcast about pollutants and BC risk. May not be everyone's cup of tea but some may find it interesting. I haven't listened to it yet but can post the link for those interested.

Lumpie

Podcast: Breast Cancer Action's Executive Director Karuna Jaggar interviewed Sharon Lerner, an award-winning investigative journalist who's written a powerful and groundbreaking series on toxic PFAS.

Blurb says "Learn about these toxic chemicals used in every day products, first developed by corporate giant 3M seventy years ago. And find out what Lerner uncovered about how 3M has tried to conceal the serious health risks of PFAS while continuing to develop new chemicals in the class. Take a deeper dive into our 2019 Think Before You Pink Campaign, Say Never to Forever Chemicals. Find out why we're calling on 3M to stop pinkwashing and how you can make a difference."

Brief background on Breast Cancer Action: an activist watchdog organization. BCAction, is focused on systemic interventions that will address the root causes of the disease and produce broad public health benefits. These benefits will ensure that fewer women develop breast cancer and die from breast cancer and no community bears a disproportionate burden of diagnosis or death from this disease. Mission: Breast Cancer Action's mission is to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer.

{BCA has an environmental focus in much of their work.}

Find the podcast here:

https://bcaction.org/2019/10/17/3ms-post-its-peel-...

jessie123

Yes - that was very interesting. Thanks for all your research.

MinusTwo

Lumpie - absolutely everything you post will be of interest & importance to different ones. It's just so neat that you take the time to do all this research. And best of all, you do a summary in case we don't understand the reports in the links. (who am I kidding, most of us don't)

Personally I'm interested in HER2+ and bone health - but as I said, everything you post is relevant. Edited to add - lymphadema and neuropathy.

Thanks again.

Lumpie

Bella Vista Community TV

Some of you may enjoy seeing this interview with Kelli Davis, co-founder of the Northwest Arkansas Metsquerade Gala which raises funds for metastatic breast cancer research. Just to the 20 minute mark to see the interview. This interview is about 8 minutes long. {Kudos to Kelli and others in NW Ark who have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for MBC research. They are an inspiration.}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-uGRpXmGGM&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fbclid=IwAR1xjgMfkH2uCah4p8C6vRZC5VLoyVxtsoEAvJpfv_zh7ncKBXbz9M8oK4I

Lumpie

Genetic Testing Vs. Genomic Testing - Differences and Benefits

{Basic discussion about genetic and genomic testing and the differences. Targeted to a lay (non-healthcare professional) audience.}

https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/genetic-testin...

"Developed in part with the American Cancer Society, WhatNext uses patent pending matching algorithms to connect people to highly relevant peers, firsthand experiences and American Cancer Society resources."

Frmthahart

Lumpie, just wanted to express my appreciation for this site and all that you do to keep us informed. You and the others who post here have made it possible for me to be an educated participant in my journey instead of a person being acted upon by disease. THANK YOU!

debbew

New organelle discovered inside cells found to prevent cancer

Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered a strange new organelle inside our cells that helps to prevent cancer by ensuring that genetic material is sorted correctly as cells divide.

The researchers have connected problems with the organelle (a subcellular structure) to a subset of breast cancer tumors that make lots of mistakes when segregating chromosomes. Excitingly, they found their analysis offered a new way for doctors to sort patient tumors as they choose therapies. They hope these insights will allow doctors to better personalize treatments to best benefit patients—sparing up to 40% of breast cancer patients, for example, a taxing treatment that won't be effective...

The organelle Stukenberg and his team have discovered is essential, but ephemeral. It forms only when needed to ensure chromosomes are sorted correctly and disappears when its work is done. That's one reason scientists haven't discovered it before now...

Stukenberg and his colleagues described their latest findings in the scientific journal Nature Cell Biology.

https://phys.org/news/2019-10-organelle-cells-cancer.html

debbew

Women with... triple-negative [bc]... could be differentiated from each other by a panel of 17 small RNA molecules that are directly influenced by genetic alterations typically found in cancer cells.

Researchers lead by Luciane Cavalli, PhD, at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues found that variations in how these small RNA, known as microRNA (miRNA), are expressed, at higher or lower levels, could partially explain disparate rates of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in Latina women compared to non-Hispanic white women and potentially lead to more effective treatment options.

That is the finding of a new study that was published October 22, 2019, in Oncotarget...

The scientists discovered that women with TNBC had specific alterations in copies of their genes that directly influenced the expression of 17 miRNAs compared to women with other forms of breast cancer who did not have these alterations. They also found that the expression levels of the majority of these miRNAs were associated with the tumor's clinical aggressiveness (advanced grade and stage).

"The panel of miRNAs we identified indicate potential, critical cancer-related pathways and gene networks that could be targeted for the treatment of TNBC in Latinas, once our findings are validated by larger studies," concluded Cavalli. "Targeting these genetic alterations, that represent the unique biology of their tumors, may lead to more efficient treatments, which could increase the longevity of Latina women who do not have many therapeutic options to fight this very aggressive disease."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191022080728.htm

LilyCh

"Breast cancer detected by thermal imaging scan in Edinburgh"

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-50139540

debbew

Scientists unveil the secret of cancer-associated Warburg effect

The new study, published in the October 23 issue of Nature, shows that lactate, an end product of metabolism [and the Warbyrg effect], changes the function of an immune cell known as a macrophage, thereby rewiring it to behave differently...

Using bacterially-exposed macrophages as a model system, the researchers found that histone lactylation alters the [macrophages] from a pro-inflammatory and anti-bacterial state (known as M1) to an anti-inflammatory and reparative state (known as M2).

In response to bacterial infection, macrophages must react rapidly with a substantial pro-inflammatory burst to help kill bacteria and recruit additional immune cells to the infection site. During this process, macrophages switch to aerobic glycolysis, which is thought to support generation of pro-inflammatory immune substances called cytokines. However, the researchers show that over time, this metabolic switch also increases lactate, which stimulates histone lactylation to express stabilizing genes that may repair collateral damage to the host incurred during infection.

Although this reparative M2 macrophage phenotype may help control damage during infection, its presence in tumors is known to promote growth, metastasis and immune suppression in cancer...

More research is needed on the role and regulation of this new histone modification, but the discovery draws an exciting link between cellular metabolism and gene regulation that was previously unknown and could have promising implications for human health.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191023132238.htm

debbew

Stressing cancer with spice [not bc-specific]

The team of Professor Jun-ya Kato, at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), had previously identified that curcumin acts on the same reactive oxygen species enzymes as its analogue, PGV-1. By suppressing the enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species are allowed to cause stress on cells, ultimately leading to cell death. Indeed, many anti-cancer drugs operate similarly, but sometimes with severe side-effects due to stress on healthy cells.

In the new study, Kato's team compared the effects of curcumin and PGV-1 on cancer, finding that they shared many of the same properties, but that PGV-1 did so at higher efficiency and lower dose...

Intriguingly, PGV-1 was effective on numerous types of cancers. Moreover, when administered to mice injected with human cancer cells, the mice showed no evidence of the cancer and no side-effects. Furthermore, unlike some other anti-cancer drugs, the anti-cancer effects persisted even after the cessation of PGV-1 administration...

"Considering the high drug efficacy and low amount of side effects in animals, we propose that PGV-1 should be pharmaceutically developed as an orally administered drug for cancer," [Kato] says.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191023104613.htm