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High cholesterol fuels cancer by fostering resistance to a form of cell death

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified a mechanism where breast cancer cells use cholesterol to develop tolerance to stress, allowing them to resist ferroptosis and proliferate. This finding highlights the importance of lowering cholesterol in preventing cancer progression and offers new approaches for treatment.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

Cell couriers deliver clue to cancer metastasis

Researchers have discovered that increased levels of protein Tumour Protein D54 can increase and decrease the movement of cancer cells, suggesting its potential role in tumour spread. The study found that reducing or increasing this protein's expression affects cell migration, with higher levels leading to more metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJul 21, 2021

The path(way) less traveled in DNA double-strand break repair

Researchers from Osaka University found that protein phosphatase 1 binds to RIF1 at broken DNA ends, blocking proteins that create single-stranded DNA tails, and promoting the non-homologous end joining repair pathway. This novel mechanism helps protect double-strand breaks from developing a tail, which is what Shieldin binds to.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 13, 2021

Trapping DNA damage

Researchers at Kyoto University have uncovered how XRCC1 protein disarms PARP traps, preventing DNA damage accumulation. This discovery may lead to improved cancer treatments using PARP inhibitors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 10, 2021

A path to aggressive breast cancer

Breast cancer researchers followed the progression of cancer in an animal model and found a path that transforms slow-growing ER+/HER2+ cancer into fast-growing ER-/HER2+ cancer. The study suggests different treatments may be needed for each subtype, depending on the path the cells follow.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2021

Cataloging breast cells to find cancer origins

The study created a comprehensive catalog of healthy breast tissue cells, enabling scientists to pinpoint the origin of abnormal changes. By tracking gene activity in over 15,000 cells, the team redefined healthy breast tissue and identified subpopulations with different responses to therapies.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJournal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia·DateMay 14, 2021

The micro-environment of breast cancer in three dimensions

Researchers cultivated tumor microenvironments using metastatic triple-negative breast cancer cells and studied the genetic information of entire systems. They found that cellular communication in the microenvironment drives physiological changes in tumor behavior, including growth and movement.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Biology·DateMay 4, 2021

New sequencing approach finds triple-negative breast cancers continue accumulating genetic changes during tumor growth

A novel method for single-cell DNA sequencing has enabled faster and deeper study of chromosome evolution in triple-negative breast cancers. The technique revealed that these cancers undergo continued genetic copy number changes after an initial burst of chromosomal instability, which may explain why treatments are not always effective.

Study identifies never-before-seen dual function in enzyme critical for cancer growth

Researchers have identified a previously unknown dual function of polymerase theta (pol theta) in DNA repair, which could lead to the development of new therapeutic options for breast and ovarian cancers. The finding shows pol theta can both extend DNA and trim it, making it a potential target for treatment development.

Halt cell recycling to treat cancer

UC researchers discovered that stopping autophagy in cancer cells can help treat HER2-positive breast cancer. By blocking this process, cancer cells were unable to develop and grow, and the HER2 protein was altered in a way that prevented its role in cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 8, 2021