PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Researchers find possible clues to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients

2011-03-31
(Press-News.org) Breast cancer patients who become resistant to tamoxifen may have low levels of a protein called Rho GDI-alpha, according to a study published online March 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Women whose tumors have estrogen receptors (ERs) often take tamoxifen after surgery to prevent recurrence of the cancer and keep it from metastasizing to other parts of the body. Some patients, however, become resistant to the drug even though their tumors remain ER-positive.

To explore the mechanisms of this resistance, Suzanne Fuqua, Ph.D., professor of medicine in the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and colleagues compared two groups of ER-positive tumors: four primary tumors from women who took tamoxifen and did not have a recurrence and five metastatic tumors from women taking tamoxifen whose tumors spread while they were on the drug. The authors found that Rho GDI-alpha was under-expressed—its levels were low—in the women with tamoxifen-resistant metastatic disease. They validated the association of low Rho GDI-alpha with tamoxifen resistance in laboratory cells, in human tumors implanted in mice, and in genetic data from 250 women whose ER-positive breast tumors were treated with tamoxifen.

They also found that levels another protein—MTA2--rose markedly when Rho GD1-alpha dropped and that levels of MTA2 and Rho GDI-alpha combined predicted recurrence.

"These are the first data suggesting a tight, clinically important connection between the two pathways, Rho GDI-alpha and MTA2," the authors write. "Our data also suggest a possible mechanism, in which the loss of Rho GDI-alpha function promotes distant progression of breast tumors by triggering downstream molecules, such as MTA2, with metastasis-promoting activities."

In an accompanying editorial, Matthew J. Ellis, Ph.D. and Brian A. Van Tine, M.D. of Washington University in St. Louis note that other studies have found the proteins to be associated in various ways with breast cancer. But not all these previous findings are consistent with the findings of this study. "Thus, the status of Rho GDI-alpha as a marker of tamoxifen resistance is unclear," they write.

The editorialists also comment on the increasing number of genetic alterations emerging in breast cancer. "In the next several years," they write, "many entire breast cancer genomes will be published, revealing for the first time the enormous scale of the disruption of the human genome associated with the development of this disease." After that, they say, efforts to understand the functions of disrupted genes "will be essential for the next surge of progress."

### Contacts:
Article: Glenna Picton, picton@bcm.edu, 713-798-7973
Editorial: Matthew Ellis, mellis@dom.wustl.edu


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Scientists unlock mystery of how the 22nd amino acid is produced

2011-03-31
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The most recently discovered amino acid, pyrrolysine, is produced by a series of just three chemical reactions with a single precursor – the amino acid lysine, according to new research. Scientists at Ohio State University used mass spectrometry and a series of experiments to discover how cells make the amino acid, a process that until now had been unknown. They confirmed that pyrrolysine is made from enzymatic reactions with two lysine molecules – a surprising finding, given that some portions of its structure suggested to researchers that it might ...

Airline Safety Statistics Suggest Domestic Progress, Global Challenges

2011-03-31
While recent years have presented many challenges for Americans, one news item from last year was welcome: no fatal U.S. airline crashes occurred in 2010. Over the past two decades, the National Transportation Safety Board's statistics for major commercial aircraft accidents involving fatalities show a steady decrease from the early 1990s, despite a 50 percent increase in aircraft hours flown. Aviation accident fatalities have never been worse than one per 15 million passengers since the devastating year of 2001. U.S. airlines have also recorded zero fatalities in three ...

UCSF researchers identify promising new treatment for childhood leukemia

2011-03-31
An experimental drug lessens symptoms of a rare form of childhood leukemia and offers significant insight into the cellular development of the disease, according to findings from a new UCSF study. The mouse model research could spearhead the development of new leukemia therapies and paves the way for future clinical trials in humans. "Although this drug did not produce a cure, it alleviated the symptoms of leukemia as long as the treatment was continued and delayed the development of a more aggressive disease," said senior author Benjamin Braun, MD, PhD, a pediatric ...

Using live worms as bait: Voters swayed by interactive 'worm' graph during election debate.

2011-03-31
Research from Royal Holloway, University of London and the University of Bristol calls into question people's ability to form their own judgements about their preferred election candidate after finding voters could be heavily swayed by 'the worm' - a continuous response tracking measure this is increasingly being used in live election debates around the world. The study "Social Influence in Televised Election Debates: A Potential Distortion of Democracy" is published today (30 March) in the journal PLoS One. Televised election debates were introduced in the United ...

Horrible Trucking Accident on Indiana Highway Takes Three Lives

2011-03-31
On January 20, Chester Lee Mills Sr. was supposed to bury his wife, who had lost her battle with lung cancer. Instead, Mills was left to mourn the additional loss of his two children who died in a tragic truck accident en route to their stepmother's funeral. Amanda S. Mills, age 25; Logan R. Mills, age 21; and Anthony Suggs, age 25, were travelling to Georgia to attend the funeral when they were hit by a semi-truck after losing control of their car on icy roads. Witnesses said that the tractor-trailer turned over onto the passenger vehicle, pinning the three people in the ...

Scripps Research scientists: Sensory wiring for smells varies among individuals

2011-03-31
LA JOLLA, CA – March 30, 2011 – If, as Shakespeare's Juliet declared, a rose by any other name smells as sweet – to you and to me and to anyone else who sniffs it – then one might assume that our odor-sensing nerve cells are all wired in the same way. Alas, they are not, according to a new study from scientists at The Scripps Research Institute. The researchers developed a new virus-based technique for highlighting individual nerve pathways, then applied it to the olfactory systems of mice. They found that mouse olfactory neurons send signals to two key processing regions ...

Brain scientists offer medical educators tips on the neurobiology of learning

Brain scientists offer medical educators tips on the neurobiology of learning
2011-03-31
Everyone would like MDs to have the best education – and to absorb what they are taught. The lead article in the April 4 issue of the journal Academic Medicine* connects research on how the brain learns to how to incorporate this understanding into real world education, particularly the education of doctors. "Repetition, reward, and visualization are tried and true teaching strategies. Now, knowing what is happening in the brain will enhance teaching and learning," said Michael J. Friedlander, executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute (www.vtc.vt.edu/research/index.html) ...

California Court Interprets Commercial Insurance Policy, Says Policy Covers Assault and Battery

2011-03-31
A California Court of Appeals case highlights why it is important for business owners to understand their company's insurance policy, especially the exclusions. A Case in Point In 2004, Terrell Ford was dining at a restaurant owned by Palmden. During this time, 20 gang members entered the restaurant and caused a disturbance. Shortly thereafter, the argument was brought outside and a fight instigated. Ford attempted to leave, but the restaurant employees locked the front doors so he exited a back door. He was attacked and severely beaten by gang members and suffered ...

Increasing Motorcycle Safety to Have a Better Ride

2011-03-31
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 6 million motorcycles are registered in the U.S., which is about 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the country. However, motorcyclists are seriously injured and killed at a much higher rate than their 4-wheeled counterparts, as 11 percent of all highway deaths each year are motorcycle fatalities. A variety of factors contribute to the high number of motorcycle crashes each year, including: - Inexperienced riders - Insufficient training - Dangerous road conditions - Low visibility to ...

Clinical trial success for Crohn's disease cell therapy

2011-03-31
Speaking at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science meeting later today (30 March), Professor Miguel Forte will describe research into a new cell therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease. Patient's own blood cells are used to produce a type of cell – Type 1 T regulatory lymphocyte – that can reduce the extent of the disease. Professor Forte said "T regulatory lymphocytes are amazing cells – they secrete proteins – cytokines - that dampen down the over active immune response that causes the terrible symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Breakthrough study reveals bumetanide treatment restores early social communication in fragile X syndrome mouse model

Neuroscience leader reveals oxytocin's crucial role beyond the 'love hormone' label

Twelve questions to ask your doctor for better brain health in the new year

Microelectronics Science Research Centers to lead charge on next-generation designs and prototypes

Study identifies genetic cause for yellow nail syndrome

New drug to prevent migraine may start working right away

Good news for people with MS: COVID-19 infection not tied to worsening symptoms

Department of Energy announces $179 million for Microelectronics Science Research Centers

Human-related activities continue to threaten global climate and productivity

Public shows greater acceptance of RSV vaccine as vaccine hesitancy appears to have plateaued

Unraveling the power and influence of language

Gene editing tool reduces Alzheimer’s plaque precursor in mice

TNF inhibitors prevent complications in kids with Crohn's disease, recommended as first-line therapies

Twisted Edison: Bright, elliptically polarized incandescent light

Structural cell protein also directly regulates gene transcription

Breaking boundaries: Researchers isolate quantum coherence in classical light systems

Brain map clarifies neuronal connectivity behind motor function

Researchers find compromised indoor air in homes following Marshall Fire

Months after Colorado's Marshall Fire, residents of surviving homes reported health symptoms, poor air quality

Identification of chemical constituents and blood-absorbed components of Shenqi Fuzheng extract based on UPLC-triple-TOF/MS technology

'Glass fences' hinder Japanese female faculty in international research, study finds

Vector winds forecast by numerical weather prediction models still in need of optimization

New research identifies key cellular mechanism driving Alzheimer’s disease

Trends in buprenorphine dispensing among adolescents and young adults in the US

Emergency department physicians vary widely in their likelihood of hospitalizing a patient, even within the same facility

Firearm and motor vehicle pediatric deaths— intersections of age, sex, race, and ethnicity

Association of state cannabis legalization with cannabis use disorder and cannabis poisoning

Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia and future neurological disorders

Adoption of “hospital-at-home” programs remains concentrated among larger, urban, not-for-profit and academic hospitals

Unlocking the mysteries of the human gut

[Press-News.org] Researchers find possible clues to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients