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Cao J, Ma X, Zhang G, Hong S, Ma R, Wang Y, Yan X, Ma M. Prognostic analyses of genes associated with anoikis in breast cancer. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15475. [PMID: 37842046 PMCID: PMC10576492 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide and is responsible for the highest cancer-associated mortality among women. It is evident that anoikis resistance contributes to tumour cell metastasis, and this is the primary cause of treatment failure for BRCA. However, anoikis-related gene (ARG) expression profiles and their prognostic value in BRCA remain unclear. In this study, a prognostic model of ARGs based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was established using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of ARGs in BRCA. The risk factor graph demonstrated that the low-risk group had longer survival than the high-risk group, implying that the prognostic model had a good performance. We identified 11 ARGs that exhibited differential expression between the two risk groups in TCGA and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Through Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses, we revealed that the screened ARGs were associated with tumour progression and metastasis. In addition, a protein-protein interaction network showed potential interactions among these ARGs. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis suggested that the Notch and Wnt signalling pathways were overexpressed in the high-risk group, and gene set variation analysis revealed that 38 hallmark genes differed between the two groups. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify five ARGs (CD24, KRT15, MIA, NDRG1, TP63), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to assess the differential expression of these ARGs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were then performed for the key ARGs, with the best prediction of 3 year survival. In conclusion, ARGs might play a crucial role in tumour progression and serve as indicators of prognosis in BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Cao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guijuan Zhang
- School of Nursing of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shouyi Hong
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Ma
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianxin Yan
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Ma
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Leineweber WD, Fraley SI. Adhesion tunes speed and persistence by coordinating protrusions and extracellular matrix remodeling. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1414-1428.e4. [PMID: 37321214 PMCID: PMC10527808 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration through 3D environments is essential to development, disease, and regeneration processes. Conceptual models of migration have been developed primarily on the basis of 2D cell behaviors, but a general understanding of 3D cell migration is still lacking due to the added complexity of the extracellular matrix. Here, using a multiplexed biophysical imaging approach for single-cell analysis of human cell lines, we show how the subprocesses of adhesion, contractility, actin cytoskeletal dynamics, and matrix remodeling integrate to produce heterogeneous migration behaviors. This single-cell analysis identifies three modes of cell speed and persistence coupling, driven by distinct modes of coordination between matrix remodeling and protrusive activity. The framework that emerges establishes a predictive model linking cell trajectories to distinct subprocess coordination states.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Leineweber
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stephanie I Fraley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Luo Y, Ye Y, Chen Y, Zhang C, Sun Y, Wang C, Ou J. A degradome-based prognostic signature that correlates with immune infiltration and tumor mutation burden in breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1140993. [PMID: 36993976 PMCID: PMC10040797 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1140993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionFemale breast cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide, with a high disease burden. The degradome is the most abundant class of cellular enzymes that play an essential role in regulating cellular activity. Dysregulation of the degradome may disrupt cellular homeostasis and trigger carcinogenesis. Thus we attempted to understand the prognostic role of degradome in breast cancer by means of establishing a prognostic signature based on degradome-related genes (DRGs) and assessed its clinical utility in multiple dimensions.MethodsA total of 625 DRGs were obtained for analysis. Transcriptome data and clinical information of patients with breast cancer from TCGA-BRCA, METABRIC and GSE96058 were collected. NetworkAnalyst and cBioPortal were also utilized for analysis. LASSO regression analysis was employed to construct the degradome signature. Investigations of the degradome signature concerning clinical association, functional characterization, mutation landscape, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression and drug priority were orchestrated. Cell phenotype assays including colony formation, CCK8, transwell and wound healing were conducted in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435S breast cancer cell lines, respectively.ResultsA 10-gene signature was developed and verified as an independent prognostic predictor combined with other clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer. The prognostic nomogram based on risk score (calculated based on the degradome signature) showed favourable capability in survival prediction and advantage in clinical benefit. High risk scores were associated with a higher degree of clinicopathological events (T4 stage and HER2-positive) and mutation frequency. Regulation of toll-like receptors and several cell cycle promoting activities were upregulated in the high-risk group. PIK3CA and TP53 mutations were dominant in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the risk score and tumor mutation burden. The infiltration levels of immune cells and the expressions of immune checkpoints were significantly influenced by the risk score. Additionally, the degradome signature adequately predicted the survival of patients undergoing endocrinotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients in the low-risk group may achieve complete response after the first round of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and docetaxel, whereas patients in the high-risk group may benefit from 5-flfluorouracil. Several regulators of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the CDK family/PARP family were identified as potential molecular targets in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. In vitro experiments further revealed that the knockdown of ABHD12 and USP41 significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells.ConclusionMultidimensional evaluation verified the clinical utility of the degradome signature in predicting prognosis, risk stratification and guiding treatment for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulou Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yinghui Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chenguang Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yutian Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengwei Wang
- Cancer Research Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Chengwei Wang, ; Jianghua Ou,
| | - Jianghua Ou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Chengwei Wang, ; Jianghua Ou,
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Xu TT, Zeng XW, Wang XH, Yang LX, Luo G, Yu T. Cystatin-B Negatively Regulates the Malignant Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Possibly Via the Epithelium Proliferation/Differentiation Program. Front Oncol 2021; 11:707066. [PMID: 34504787 PMCID: PMC8421684 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.707066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbance in the proteolytic process is one of the malignant signs of tumors. Proteolysis is highly orchestrated by cysteine cathepsin and its inhibitors. Cystatin-B (CSTB) is a general cysteine cathepsin inhibitor that prevents cysteine cathepsin from leaking from lysosomes and causing inappropriate proteolysis. Our study found that CSTB was downregulated in both oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and cells compared with normal controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CSTB was mainly distributed in the epithelial structure of OSCC tissues, and its expression intensity was related to the grade classification. A correlation analysis between CSTB and clinical prognosis was performed using gene expression data and clinical information acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Patients with lower expression levels of CSTB had shorter disease-free survival times and poorer clinicopathological features (e.g., lymph node metastases, perineural invasion, low degree of differentiation, and advanced tumor stage). OSCC cell models overexpressing CSTB were constructed to assess the effects of CSTB on malignant biological behaviors and upregulation of CSTB inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed based on the TCGA data to explore potential mechanisms, and CSTB appeared to correlate with squamous epithelial proliferation-differentiation processes, such as epidermal cell differentiation and keratinization. Moreover, in WGCNA, the gene module most associated with CSTB expression (i.e., the brown module) was also the one most associated with grade classification. Upregulation of CSTB promoted the expression levels of markers (LOR, IVL, KRT5/14, and KRT1/10), reflecting a tendency for differentiation and keratinization in vitro. Gene expression profile data of the overexpressed CSTB cell line were obtained by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. By comparing the GSEA enrichment results of RNA-seq data (from the OSCC models overexpressing CSTB) and existing public database data, three gene sets (i.e., apical junction, G2/M checkpoint, etc.) and six pathways (e.g., NOTCH signaling pathway, glycosaminoglycan degradation, mismatch repair, etc.) were enriched in the data from both sources. Overall, our study shows that CSTB is downregulated in OSCC and might regulate the malignant characteristics of OSCC via the epithelial proliferation/differentiation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Tian Xu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Hong Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu-Xi Yang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Leto G, Sepporta MV. The potential of cystatin C as a predictive biomarker in breast cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:1049-1056. [PMID: 32990495 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1829481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer (BCa) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Numerous efforts are being directed toward identifying novel tissue and/or circulating molecular markers that may help clinicians in detecting early-stage BCa patients and in providing an accurate estimation of the prognosis and prediction of response to clinical treatments. In this setting, emerging evidence has indicated Cystatin C (Cyst C), as the most potent endogenous inhibitor of cysteine cathepsins, as a possible useful marker in the clinical management of BCa patients. AREAS COVERED This review analyzes the results of emerging studies underpinning a potential clinical role of Cyst C, as additional marker in BCa. EXPERT OPINION Cyst C expression levels have been reported to be altered in tumor tissues and/or in biological fluids of BCa patients. Furthermore, clinical evidence has highlighted a significant correlation between altered Cyst C levels in tumor tissues and/or biological fluids and some clinco-biological parameters of BCa progression. These findings provide evidence for a potential clinical use of Cyst C as a novel marker to improve the clinical and therapeutic management of BCa patients and as a gauge for better clarifying the role of cysteine proteinases in the various steps of BCa progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Leto
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Palermo , Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Sepporta
- Pediatric Unit, Department Women-Mother-Children, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Research Laboratory, Lausanne University Hospital , Lausanne, Switzerland
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Jiang W, Rixiati Y, Huang H, Shi Y, Huang C, Jiao B. Asperolide A prevents bone metastatic breast cancer via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/c-Fos/NFATc1 signaling pathway. Cancer Med 2020; 9:8173-8185. [PMID: 32976685 PMCID: PMC7643645 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women with malignant tumors worldwide. Bone metastasis is the main factor affecting the prognosis of breast cancer. Therefore, both antitumor and anti‐breast‐cancer‐induced osteolysis agents are urgently needed. Methods We examined the effect of Asperolide A (AA), a marine‐derived agent, on osteolysis and RANKL‐induced phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR/c‐FOS/nuclear factor‐activated T cell 1 (NFATc1) pathway activation, F‐actin ring formation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in vitro. We evaluated AA effect on breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐436 cells in vitro through CCK8 assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, Annexin V‐FITC/PI staining for cell apoptosis, and cell cycle assay. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of AA in vivo using a breast cancer‐induced bone osteolysis nude mouse model, followed by micro‐computed tomography, tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results Asperolide A inhibited osteoclast formation and differentiation, bone resorption, F‐actin belt formation, ROS activity, and osteoclast‐specific gene and protein expressions and prevented PI3K/AKT/mTOR/c‐FOS/NFATc1 signaling activation in a dose‐dependent manner in vitro. AA also inhibited breast cancer growth and breast cancer‐induced bone osteolysis by reducing osteoclast formation and function and inactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in vivo. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that AA suppressed bone metastatic breast cancer. These findings indicate AA as a potential, novel curative drug candidate for patients with bone metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Hao Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - YiJun Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caiguo Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghua Jiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Parigiani MA, Ketscher A, Timme S, Bronsert P, Schlimpert M, Kammerer B, Jacquel A, Chaintreuil P, Reinheckel T. Conditional Gene Targeting Reveals Cell Type-Specific Roles of the Lysosomal Protease Cathepsin L in Mammary Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2004. [PMID: 32707827 PMCID: PMC7463523 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cathepsin L (Ctsl) is a cysteine protease mainly located within the endosomal/lysosomal cell compartment. High expression of Ctsl indicates poor prognosis in human breast cancer. However, the cell type-specific Ctsl functions responsible for this association remain elusive. Methods: Because constitutive Ctsl-/- mice develop a complex phenotype, we developed a conditional model allowing for cell type-specific inactivation of Ctsl in mammary epithelium or myeloid cells in the transgenic mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-polyoma middle T (PyMT) breast cancer model. Results: Ctsl ablation in mammary epithelial cells resulted in delayed initiation and end-stage of cancers. The latter displayed large dead cell areas. Inducible in vitro deletion of Ctsl in MMTV-PyMT-derived breast cancer cells revealed expansion of the acidic cell compartment, alteration of intracellular amino acid levels, and impaired mTOR signaling. In consequence, Ctsl-deficient cells exhibited slow growth rates and high apoptosis susceptibility. In contrast to Ctsl-deficient mammary epithelium, selective knockout of Ctsl in myeloid cells had no effects on primary tumors, but promoted lung metastasis formation. Conclusions: Our cell type-specific in vivo analysis provides strong evidence for a cancer cell-intrinsic, tumor-promoting role of Ctsl in primary breast cancer, whereas metastasis is negatively regulated by Ctsl expressed by bone marrow-derived cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Alejandra Parigiani
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.A.P.); (A.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schaenzle Str. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Anett Ketscher
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.A.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Sylvia Timme
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 115A, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.); (P.B.)
- Tumorbank Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 153, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 115A, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.); (P.B.)
- Tumorbank Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 153, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Schlimpert
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schaenzle Str. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Bernd Kammerer
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schaenzle Str. 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Jacquel
- Université Côte d’Azur, C3M Inserm U1065, 06204 Nice, France; (A.J.); (P.C.)
- INSERM U1065, C3M, Team: Myeloid Malignancies and Multiple Myeloma, 06204 Nice, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Fondation ARC, 94803 Villejuif, France
| | - Paul Chaintreuil
- Université Côte d’Azur, C3M Inserm U1065, 06204 Nice, France; (A.J.); (P.C.)
- INSERM U1065, C3M, Team: Myeloid Malignancies and Multiple Myeloma, 06204 Nice, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Fondation ARC, 94803 Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Stefan Meier Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (M.A.P.); (A.K.)
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schaenzle Str. 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Germany and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Clinical Implications of Extracellular HMGA1 in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20235950. [PMID: 31779212 PMCID: PMC6928815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The unconventional secretion of proteins is generally caused by cellular stress. During the tumorigenesis, tumor cells experience high levels of stress, and the secretion of some theoretically intracellular proteins is activated. Once in the extracellular space, these proteins play different paracrine and autocrine roles and could represent a vulnerability of cancer. One of these proteins is the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1), which is frequently overexpressed in tumors and presents a low expression in normal adult tissues. We have recently described that HMGA1 establishes an autocrine loop in invasive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. The secretion of HMGA1 and its binding to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) mediates the migration, invasion, and metastasis of TNBC cells and predicts the onset of metastasis in these patients. In this review, we summarized different strategies to exploit the novel tumorigenic phenotype mediated by extracellular HMGA1. We envisioned future clinical applications where the association between its change in subcellular localization and breast cancer progression could be used to predict tumor aggressiveness and guide treatment decisions. Furthermore, we proposed that targeting extracellular HMGA1 as monotherapy using monoclonal antibodies, or in combination with chemotherapy and other targeted therapies, could bring new therapeutic options for TNBC patients.
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