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Regua AT, Bindal S, Najjar MK, Zhuang C, Khan M, Arrigo ABJ, Gonzalez AO, Zhang XR, Zhu JJ, Watabe K, Lo HW. Dual inhibition of the TrkA and JAK2 pathways using entrectinib and pacritinib suppresses the growth and metastasis of HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. Cancer Lett 2024; 597:217023. [PMID: 38852701 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are difficult to treat and associated with poor prognosis. Despite showing initial response, HER2-positive breast cancers often acquire resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, and TNBC lack effective therapies. To overcome these clinical challenges, we evaluated the therapeutic utility of co-targeting TrkA and JAK2/STAT3 pathways in these breast cancer subtypes. Here, we report the novel combination of FDA-approved TrkA inhibitors (Entrectinib or Larotrectinib) and JAK2 inhibitors (Pacritinib or Ruxolitinib) synergistically inhibited in vitro growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells and TNBC cells. The Entrectinib-Pacritinib combination inhibited the breast cancer stem cell subpopulation, reduced expression of stemness genes, SOX2 and MYC, and induced apoptosis. The Entrectinib-Pacritinib combination suppressed orthotopic growth of HER2-positive Trastuzumab-refractory breast cancer xenografts and basal patient-derived xenograft (PDXs), reduced tumoral SOX2 and MYC, and induced apoptosis in both mouse models. The Entrectinib-Pacritinib combination inhibited overall metastatic burden, and brain and bone metastases of intracardially inoculated TNBC cells without toxicity. Together, our results demonstrate for the first time that co-inhibition of TrkA and JAK2 synergistically suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis, thereby providing preclinical evidence that supports future clinical evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina T Regua
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shivani Bindal
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mariana K Najjar
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chuling Zhuang
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Munazza Khan
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Austin B J Arrigo
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anneliese O Gonzalez
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xinhai R Zhang
- Department of Pathology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jay-Jiguang Zhu
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Iliev P, Jaworski C, Wängler C, Wängler B, Page BDG, Schirrmacher R, Bailey JJ. Type II & III inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk): a 2020-2022 patent update. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:231-244. [PMID: 38785069 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2358818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Trk family proteins are membrane-bound kinases predominantly expressed in neuronal tissues. Activated by neurotrophins, they regulate critical cellular processes through downstream signaling pathways. Dysregulation of Trk signaling can drive a range of diseases, making the design and study of Trk inhibitors a vital area of research. This review explores recent advances in the development of type II and III Trk inhibitors, with implications for various therapeutic applications. AREAS COVERED Patents covering type II and III inhibitors targeting the Trk family are discussed as a complement of the previous review, Type I inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk): a 2020-2022 patent update. Relevant patents were identified using the Web of Science database, Google, and Google Patents. EXPERT OPINION While type II and III Trk inhibitor development has advanced more gradually compared to their type I counterparts, they hold significant promise in overcoming resistance mutations and achieving enhanced subtype selectivity - a critical factor in reducing adverse effects associated with pan-Trk inhibition. Recent interdisciplinary endeavors have marked substantial progress in the design of subtype selective Trk inhibitors, with impressive success heralded by the type III inhibitors. Notably, the emergence of mutant-selective Trk inhibitors introduces an intriguing dimension to the field, offering precise treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Iliev
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Carmen Wängler
- Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Björn Wängler
- Molecular Imaging and Radiochemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Brent D G Page
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Sasa K, Son R, Oguchi A, Ashizawa K, Hasegawa N, Kubota D, Suehara Y, Takagi T, Okubo T, Akaike K, Sugimoto K, Takahashi M, Sakamoto K, Hashimoto T, Mine S, Fukunaga T, Ishijima M, Hayashi T, Yao T, Murakawa Y, Saito T. NTRK2 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumors with a special emphasis on the clinicopathological and prognostic impacts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:768. [PMID: 38191907 PMCID: PMC10774370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typically characterized by activating mutations of the KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). Recently, the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion was reported in a small subset of wild-type GIST. We examined trk IHC and NTRK gene expressions in GIST. Pan-trk immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive in 25 (all 16 duodenal and 9 out of 16 small intestinal GISTs) of 139 cases, and all pan-trk positive cases showed diffuse and strong expression of c-kit. Interestingly, all of these cases showed only trkB but not trkA/trkC expression. Cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) analysis identified increased number of genes whose promoters were activated in pan-trk/trkB positive GISTs. Imbalanced expression of NTRK2, which suggests the presence of NTRK2 fusion, was not observed in any of trkB positive GISTs, despite higher mRNA expression. TrkB expression was found in duodenal GISTs and more than half of small intestinal GISTs, and this subset of cases showed poor prognosis. However, there was not clear difference in clinical outcomes according to the trkB expression status in small intestinal GISTs. These findings may provide a possible hypothesis for trkB overexpression contributing to the tumorigenesis and aggressive clinical outcome in GISTs of duodenal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sasa
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Raku Son
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Akiko Oguchi
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Karin Ashizawa
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hasegawa
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kubota
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takagi
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketo Okubo
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Akaike
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamanashi Central Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kiichi Sugimoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Makoto Takahashi
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sakamoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Shinji Mine
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Tetsu Fukunaga
- Department of Upper Gastroenterological Surgery, Juntendo University Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Muneaki Ishijima
- Department of Medicine for Orthopaedics and Motor Organ, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yao
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- IFOM ETS - the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
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Fan Y, Zhang B, Du X, Wang B, Yan Q, Guo L, Yao W. Regulating Tumorigenicity and Cancer Metastasis through TRKA Signaling. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:271-287. [PMID: 37670705 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230904150957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) A, TRKA, is a specific binding receptor of nerve growth factor (NGF), which plays an essential role in the occurrence and progression of human cancers. TRKA overexpression has been proven to be a powerful carcinogenic driver and has been verified in many tumors. The TRKA receptor kinase domain is over-activated in an NGF-dependent manner, accompanied by activation of downstream signal pathways, such as RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT, JAK2-STAT3 pathway, PLC γ pathway, and Hippo pathway, which participate in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), perineural invasion (PNI), drug resistance, and cancer pain. In addition, chimeric oncogenes produced by the fusion of NTRK1 and other genes are also the direct cause of tumorigenesis and cancer development. The newly developed TRK inhibitors can improve symptoms and tumor regression in cancer patients with overexpression of TRKA or NTRK1 fusion gene. With the emergence of drug resistance, next generation of TRK inhibitors can still maintain strong clinical efficacy in the case of TRK kinase domain mutations, and these inhibitors are in clinical trials. This review summarizes the characteristics and research progress of TRKA, focusing on the regulatory role of the TRKA signal pathway in different tumors. In addition, we have summarized the clinical significance of TRKA and the TRK inhibitors. This review may provide a new reference for the study of the mechanism of TRKA in different tumors, and also provide a new perspective for the in-depth understanding of the role of TRKA as a biomarker and therapeutic target in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Fan
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Boya Zhang
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinhui Du
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bangmin Wang
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Yan
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liangyu Guo
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weitao Yao
- Henan Cancer Hospital, Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Marzulli M, Hall BL, Zhang M, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Novel mutations in U L24 and gH rescue efficient infection of an HSV vector retargeted to TrkA. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:208-220. [PMID: 37519407 PMCID: PMC10384243 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Transductional targeting of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based gene therapy vectors offers the potential for improved tissue-specific delivery and can be achieved by modification of the viral entry machinery to incorporate ligands that bind the desired cell surface proteins. The interaction of nerve growth factor (NGF) with tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is essential for survival of sensory neurons during development and is involved in chronic pain signaling. We targeted HSV infection to TrkA-bearing cells by replacing the signal peptide and HVEM binding domain of glycoprotein D (gD) with pre-pro-NGF. This TrkA-targeted virus (KNGF) infected cells via both nectin-1 and TrkA. However, infection through TrkA was inefficient, prompting a genetic search for KNGF mutants showing enhanced infection following repeat passage on TrkA-expressing cells. These studies revealed unique point mutations in envelope glycoprotein gH and in UL24, a factor absent from mature particles. Together these mutations rescued efficient infection of TrkA-expressing cells, including neurons, and facilitated the production of a completely retargeted KNGF derivative. These studies provide insight into HSV vector improvements that will allow production of replication-defective TrkA-targeted HSV for delivery to the peripheral nervous system and may be applied to other retargeted vector studies in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Jaworski C, Iliev P, Wängler C, Wängler B, Page B, Schirrmacher R, Bailey JJ. Type I inhibitors of tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk): a 2020-2022 patent update. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:503-521. [PMID: 37735897 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2262136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trk inhibitors are significant in the realm of personalized medicine as they target specific genetic alterations, such as NTRK gene fusions, leading to improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients. By tailoring the treatment to the genetic characteristics of the tumor rather than the tumor type, Trk inhibitors offer the potential for more effective and precise therapies, resulting in enhanced response rates and prolonged survival for patients with NTRK fusion-positive cancers. AREAS COVERED Patents covering type I inhibitors targeting the Trk family are discussed, building upon our prior review series on Trk inhibitors. Relevant patents were identified through the Web of Science database, Google, and Google Patents. EXPERT OPINION The field of Trk inhibitors has evolved significantly, as reflected in the current patent literature, which emphasizes the selective structural refinement of clinical champions. Efforts now concentrate on enhancing efficacy against on-target resistance mechanisms, with modifications made to improve potency, reduce toxicity, and enhance pharmacokinetics. Combination therapies show potential to address off-target resistance mechanisms and improve treatment outcomes. Challenges remain in accurately diagnosing NTRK gene alterations and integrating screening into routine clinical practice. Trk inhibitors have surpassed their conventional role of inhibition and are now seeing new applications in radiopharmaceutical development and as molecular targeting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Jaworski
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Petar Iliev
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Carmen Wängler
- Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Björn Wängler
- Molecular Imaging and Radiochemistry, Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Brent Page
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ralf Schirrmacher
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
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Trouvilliez S, Lagadec C, Toillon RA. TrkA Co-Receptors: The Janus Face of TrkA? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071943. [PMID: 37046604 PMCID: PMC10093326 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Larotrectinib and Entrectinib are specific pan-Trk tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 for cancers with an NTRK fusion. Despite initial enthusiasm for these compounds, the French agency (HAS) recently reported their lack of efficacy. In addition, primary and secondary resistance to these TKIs has been observed in the absence of other mutations in cancers with an NTRK fusion. Furthermore, when TrkA is overexpressed, it promotes ligand-independent activation, bypassing the TKI. All of these clinical and experimental observations show that genetics does not explain all therapeutic failures. It is therefore necessary to explore new hypotheses to explain these failures. This review summarizes the current status of therapeutic strategies with TrkA inhibitors, focusing on the mechanisms potentially involved in these failures and more specifically on the role of TrkA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Trouvilliez
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, OncoLille Institute, Bvd. du Professeur Jules Leclercq, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Chann Lagadec
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, OncoLille Institute, Bvd. du Professeur Jules Leclercq, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Robert-Alain Toillon
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, OncoLille Institute, Bvd. du Professeur Jules Leclercq, F-59000 Lille, France
- GdR2082 APPICOM-«Approche Intégrative Pour Une Compréhension Multi-Échelles de la Fonction des Protéines Membranaires», 75016 Paris, France
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Expression and Signaling Pathways of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Pro-NGF in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:8103-8120. [PMID: 36354700 PMCID: PMC9689427 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29110640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents the most common type of cancer and is the leading cause of death due to cancer among women. Thus, the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer is of primary urgency, as well as the development of new treatments able to improve its prognosis. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in the regulation of neuronal functions through the binding of the Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and the Nerve Growth Factor receptor or Pan-Neurotrophin Receptor 75 (NGFR/p75NTR). In addition, its precursor (pro-NGF) can extert biological activity by forming a trimeric complex with NGFR/p75NTR and sortilin, or by binding to TrkA receptors with low affinity. Several examples of in vitro and in vivo evidence show that NGF is both synthesized and released by breast cancer cells, and has mitogen, antiapoptotic and angiogenic effects on these cells through the activation of different signaling cascades that involve TrkA and NGFR/p75NTR receptors. Conversely, pro-NGF signaling has been related to breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Other studies suggested that NGF and its receptors could represent a good diagnostic and prognostic tool, as well as promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer. In this paper, we comprehensively summarize and systematically review the current experimental evidence on this topic. INPLASY ID: INPLASY2022100017.
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Cravero K, Pantone MV, Shin DH, Bergman R, Cochran R, Chu D, Zabransky DJ, Karthikeyan S, Waters IG, Hunter N, Rosen DM, Kyker-Snowman K, Dalton WB, Button B, Shinn D, Wong HY, Donaldson J, Hurley PJ, Croessmann S, Park BH. NOTCH1 PEST domain variants are responsive to standard of care treatments despite distinct transformative properties in a breast cancer model. Oncotarget 2022; 13:373-386. [PMID: 35186194 PMCID: PMC8849273 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating variants in the PEST region of NOTCH1 have been associated with aggressive phenotypes in human cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Previous studies suggested that PEST domain variants in TNBC patients resulted in increased cell proliferation, invasiveness, and decreased overall survival. In this study, we assess the phenotypic transformation of activating NOTCH1 variants and their response to standard of care therapies. AAV-mediated gene targeting was used to isogenically incorporate 3 NOTCH1 variants, including a novel TNBC frameshift variant, in two non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cell lines, MCF10A and hTERT-IMEC. Two different variants at the NOTCH1 A2241 site (A2441fs and A2441T) both demonstrated increased transformative properties when compared to a non-transformative PEST domain variant (S2523L). These phenotypic changes include proliferation, migration, anchorage-independent growth, and MAPK pathway activation. In contrast to previous studies, activating NOTCH1 variants did not display sensitivity to a gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) or resistance to chemotherapies. This study demonstrates distinct transformative phenotypes are specific to a given variant within NOTCH1 and these phenotypes do not correlate with sensitivities or resistance to chemotherapies or GSIs. Although previous studies have suggested NOTCH1 variants may be prognostic for TNBC, our study does not demonstrate prognostic ability of these variants and suggests further characterization would be required for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Cravero
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Morgan V. Pantone
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Dong Ho Shin
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Riley Bergman
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rory Cochran
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Chu
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel J. Zabransky
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Swathi Karthikeyan
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ian G. Waters
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Natasha Hunter
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D. Marc Rosen
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly Kyker-Snowman
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - W. Brian Dalton
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Berry Button
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dan Shinn
- 1The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hong Yuen Wong
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Joshua Donaldson
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Paula J. Hurley
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sarah Croessmann
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ben Ho Park
- 2Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA,Correspondence to:Ben Ho Park, email:
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Elevated Level of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in Serum-Derived Exosomes Predicts Poor Survival in Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215260. [PMID: 34771423 PMCID: PMC8582365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Exosomes and cytokines play crucial roles in the process of tumor progression. Recent studies have reported that cytokines can be packaged into exosomes, leading to drug resistance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential value of cytokines in both serum and exosomes as prognostic biomarkers of long-term outcomes in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We observed significant differences in expression patterns between serum cytokines and exosomal cytokines. Elevated levels of serum IP-10, serum MMP-1, and exosomal NGF were associated with poor overall survival. In multivariate analysis, exosomal NGF was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. These findings suggest that exosomal NGF is useful for identifying patients with poor survival outcomes. Abstract Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a standard treatment strategy for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). However, there are no established predictors of chemosensitivity and survival in LABC patients who undergo NAC. Many studies have demonstrated that exosomes and cytokines are important players in intercellular communication between tumors and their environments, and are involved in chemotherapy resistance. Recently, it was reported that cytokines can be packaged into exosomes, but whether exosomal cytokines serve as biomarkers in breast cancer patients is still unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of cytokines in both serum and exosomes as prognostic biomarkers for long-term outcomes in patients with breast cancer who undergo NAC. We isolated exosomes from the blood of 129 patients with early breast cancer who were receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2008 and 2011 at Samsung Medical Center. The levels of cytokines and growth factors in serum and exosomes were measured with ProcartaPlex immune-related panels. We investigated correlations between clinic-pathologic variables and patient survival, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed for prognostic evaluation. We detected significant differences in expression patterns between serum cytokines and exosomal cytokines. In both serum and exosomes, many cytokines were positively correlated with age. In univariate analysis, patients with high serum IP-10, serum MMP-1, and exosomal NGF had shorter overall survival. Exosomal NGF showed significantly poorer overall survival in multivariate analysis. These findings suggest that exosomal NGF is useful for identifying patients with poor survival outcomes.
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Di Donato M, Galasso G, Giovannelli P, Sinisi AA, Migliaccio A, Castoria G. Targeting the Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Impairs the Proliferative and Migratory Phenotype of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676568. [PMID: 34268306 PMCID: PMC8275826 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that still lacks specific therapeutic approaches. The identification of new biomarkers, predictive of the disease's aggressiveness and pharmacological response, is a challenge for a more tailored approach in the clinical management of patients. Nerve growth factor, initially identified as a key factor for neuronal survival and differentiation, turned out to be a multifaceted molecule with pleiotropic effects in quite divergent cell types, including cancer cells. Many solid tumors exhibit derangements of the nerve growth factor and its receptors, including the tropomyosin receptor kinase A. This receptor is expressed in triple-negative breast cancer, although its role in the pathogenesis and aggressiveness of this disease is still under investigation. We now report that triple-negative breast cancer-derived MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-453 cells express appreciable levels of tropomyosin receptor kinase A and release a biologically active nerve growth factor. Activation of tropomyosin receptor kinase by nerve growth factor treatment positively affects the migration, invasion, and proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells. An increase in the size of triple-negative breast cancer cell spheroids is also detected. This latter effect might occur through the nerve growth factor-induced release of matrix metalloproteinase 9, which contributes to the reorganization of the extracellular matrix and cell invasiveness. The tropomyosin receptor kinase A inhibitor GW441756 reverses all these responses. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in both cell lines show that nerve growth factor triggers the assembly of the TrkA/β1-integrin/FAK/Src complex, thereby activating several downstream effectors. GW441756 prevents the complex assembly induced by nerve growth factor as well as the activation of its dependent signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of the tyrosine kinases Src and FAK (focal adhesion kinase), together with the silencing of β1-integrin, shows that the tyrosine kinases impinge on both proliferation and motility, while β1-integrin is needed for motility induced by nerve growth factor in triple-negative breast cancer cells. The present data support the key role of the nerve growth factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase A pathway in triple-negative breast cancer and offer new hints in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio A Sinisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Avanzate, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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TrkA Interacts with and Phosphorylates STAT3 to Enhance Gene Transcription and Promote Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Triple-Negative and HER2-Enriched Breast Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102340. [PMID: 34066153 PMCID: PMC8150921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer is the leading cancer in American women. Due to the inherent aggressiveness of triple-negative and HER2-enriched breast cancers, it is imperative to identify novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Due to their abnormal activities in metastatic breast cancers, JAK2–STAT3 and TrkA pathways have been individually implicated in aggressive breast tumors. However, their co-activation and signaling interactions have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, our study aimed to elucidate the extent of crosstalk between JAK2–STAT3 and TrkA signaling pathways and its impact on breast cancer. Our data revealed a novel interaction between TrkA and STAT3, and that this interaction results in STAT3 phosphorylation and activation by TrkA, leading to enhanced stemness gene expression and stem cell renewal. We further found that the co-activation of JAK2–STAT3 and TrkA pathways is correlated with shorter time to develop overall and organ-specific metastasis, suggesting that this signaling crosstalk underlies the aggressiveness of triple-negative and HER2-enriched breast cancers. Abstract JAK2–STAT3 and TrkA signaling pathways have been separately implicated in aggressive breast cancers; however, whether they are co-activated or undergo functional interaction has not been thoroughly investigated. Herein we report, for the first time that STAT3 and TrkA are significantly co-overexpressed and co-activated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HER2-enriched breast cancer, as shown by immunohistochemical staining and data mining. Through immunofluorescence staining–confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation–Western blotting, we found that TrkA and STAT3 co-localize and physically interact in the cytoplasm, and the interaction is dependent on STAT3-Y705 phosphorylation. TrkA–STAT3 interaction leads to STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705 by TrkA in breast cancer cells and cell-free kinase assays, indicating that STAT3 is a novel substrate of TrkA. β-NGF-mediated TrkA activation induces TrkA–STAT3 interaction, STAT3 nuclear transport and transcriptional activity, and the expression of STAT3 target genes, SOX2 and MYC. The co-activation of both pathways promotes breast cancer stem cells. Finally, we found that TNBC and HER2-enriched breast cancer with JAK2–STAT3 and TrkA co-activation are positively associated with poor overall metastasis-free and organ-specific metastasis-free survival. Collectively, our study uncovered that TrkA is a novel activating kinase of STAT3, and their co-activation enhances gene transcription and promotes breast cancer stem cells in TNBC and HER2-enriched breast cancer.
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