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Ghosh P, Das P, Mainkar PS, Kumaraguru T, Madhavachary R, Chandrasekhar S. Stereo flexible synthesis of the C8-C23 fragment of antarlides, androgen receptor antagonists. Org Biomol Chem 2024. [PMID: 38946203 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00852a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
A practical and efficient synthesis of the C8-C23 fragment of antarlides A-H, incorporating six stereocenters and a conjugated diene, is reported. A strategic combination of synthetic methods, including CBS reduction, Evans' aldol reaction, Keck-Maruoka allylation, and enzymatic resolution, enabled the selective introduction of these stereocenters. Furthermore, the pivotal coupling of key fragments is successfully executed through a Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction, connecting the C8-C14 and C15-C23 subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palash Ghosh
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Pralay Das
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Prathama S Mainkar
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Thenkrishnan Kumaraguru
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Rudrakshula Madhavachary
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
| | - Srivari Chandrasekhar
- Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Tien AH, Sadar MD. Treatments Targeting the Androgen Receptor and Its Splice Variants in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1817. [PMID: 38339092 PMCID: PMC10855698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031817] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. The complexity of endocrine regulation in breast cancer may allow the cancer cells to escape from a particular treatment and result in resistant and aggressive disease. These breast cancers usually have fewer treatment options. Targeted therapies for cancer patients may offer fewer adverse side effects because of specificity compared to conventional chemotherapy. Signaling pathways of nuclear receptors, such as the estrogen receptor (ER), have been intensively studied and used as therapeutic targets. Recently, the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer is gaining greater attention as a therapeutic target and as a prognostic biomarker. The expression of constitutively active truncated AR splice variants in breast cancer is a possible mechanism contributing to treatment resistance. Therefore, targeting both the full-length AR and AR variants, either through the activation or suppression of AR function, depending on the status of the ER, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, may provide additional treatment options. Studies targeting AR in combination with other treatment strategies are ongoing in clinical trials. The determination of the status of nuclear receptors to classify and identify patient subgroups will facilitate optimized and targeted combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H. Tien
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Marianne D. Sadar
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada
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Desroys du Roure P, Lajoie L, Mallavialle A, Alcaraz LB, Mansouri H, Fenou L, Garambois V, Rubio L, David T, Coenon L, Boissière-Michot F, Chateau MC, Ngo G, Jarlier M, Villalba M, Martineau P, Laurent-Matha V, Roger P, Guiu S, Chardès T, Gros L, Liaudet-Coopman E. A novel Fc-engineered cathepsin D-targeting antibody enhances ADCC, triggers tumor-infiltrating NK cell recruitment, and improves treatment with paclitaxel and enzalutamide in triple-negative breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007135. [PMID: 38290768 PMCID: PMC10828871 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007135] [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] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) prognosis is poor. Immunotherapies to enhance the antibody-induced natural killer (NK) cell antitumor activity are emerging for TNBC that is frequently immunogenic. The aspartic protease cathepsin D (cath-D), a tumor cell-associated extracellular protein with protumor activity and a poor prognosis marker in TNBC, is a prime target for antibody-based therapy to induce NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This study investigated whether Fc-engineered anti-cath-D antibodies trigger ADCC, their impact on antitumor efficacy and tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and their relevance for combinatory therapy in TNBC. METHODS Cath-D expression and localization in TNBC samples were evaluated by western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The binding of human anti-cath-D F1M1 and Fc-engineered antibody variants, which enhance (F1M1-Fc+) or prevent (F1M1-Fc-) affinity for CD16a, to secreted human and murine cath-D was analyzed by ELISA, and to CD16a by surface plasmon resonance and flow cytometry. NK cell activation was investigated by flow cytometry, and ADCC by lactate dehydrogenase release. The antitumor efficacy of F1M1 Fc-variants was investigated using TNBC cell xenografts in nude mice. NK cell recruitment, activation, and cytotoxic activity were analyzed in MDA-MB-231 cell xenografts by immunophenotyping and RT-qPCR. NK cells were depleted using an anti-asialo GM1 antibody. F1M1-Fc+ antitumor effect was assessed in TNBC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and TNBC SUM159 cell xenografts, and in combination with paclitaxel or enzalutamide. RESULTS Cath-D expression on the TNBC cell surface could be exploited to induce ADCC. F1M1 Fc-variants recognized human and mouse cath-D. F1M1-Fc+ activated NK cells in vitro and induced ADCC against TNBC cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts more efficiently than F1M1. F1M1-Fc- was ineffective. In the MDA-MB-231 cell xenograft model, F1M1-Fc+ displayed higher antitumor activity than F1M1, whereas F1M1-Fc- was less effective, reflecting the importance of Fc-dependent mechanisms in vivo. F1M1-Fc+ triggered tumor-infiltrating NK cell recruitment, activation and cytotoxic activity in MDA-MB-231 cell xenografts. NK cell depletion impaired F1M1-Fc+ antitumor activity, demonstrating their key role. F1M1-Fc+ inhibited growth of SUM159 cell xenografts and two TNBC PDXs. In combination therapy, F1M1-Fc+ improved paclitaxel and enzalutamide therapeutic efficacy without toxicity. CONCLUSIONS F1M1-Fc+ is a promising immunotherapy for TNBC that could be combined with conventional regimens, including chemotherapy or antiandrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurie Lajoie
- Université de Tours - INRAE, UMR1282, Infectiologie et Santé Publique (ISP), équipe BioMédicaments Anti-Parasitaires (BioMAP), Tours, France
| | - Aude Mallavialle
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Lindsay B Alcaraz
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Hanane Mansouri
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
- RHEM, IRCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Lise Fenou
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Lucie Rubio
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Timothée David
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Loïs Coenon
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Giang Ngo
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Martin Villalba
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer Avignon-Provence Sainte Catherine, Avignon, France
| | - Pierre Martineau
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Pascal Roger
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Pathology, CHU Nîmes, Nimes, France
| | - Séverine Guiu
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Chardès
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
- CNRS, Centre national de la recherche Scientifique, Paris, F-75016, France
| | - Laurent Gros
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
- CNRS, Centre national de la recherche Scientifique, Paris, F-75016, France
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Sharifi MN, O'Regan RM, Wisinski KB. Is the Androgen Receptor a Viable Target in Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 5 Years? Clin Breast Cancer 2023; 23:813-824. [PMID: 37419745 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2023.06.009] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high rates of disease recurrence after definitive therapy, and median survival of less than 18 months in the metastatic setting. Systemic therapy options for TNBC consist primarily of cytotoxic chemotherapy-containing regimens, and while recently FDA-approved chemo-immunotherapy combinations and antibody-drug conjugates such as Sacituzumab govitecan have improved clinical outcomes, there remains an unmet need for more effective and less toxic therapies. A subset of TNBC expresses the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear hormone steroid receptor that activates an androgen-responsive transcriptional program, and gene expression profiling has revealed a TNBC molecular subtype with AR expression and luminal and androgen responsive features. Both preclinical and clinical data suggest biologic similarities between luminal AR (LAR) TNBC and ER+ luminal breast cancer, including lower proliferative activity, relative chemoresistance, and high rates of oncogenic activating mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Preclinical LAR-TNBC models are sensitive to androgen signaling inhibitors (ASIs), and particularly given the availability of FDA-approved ASIs with robust efficacy in prostate cancer, there has been great interest in targeting this pathway in AR+ TNBC. Here, we review the underlying biology and completed and ongoing androgen-targeted therapy studies in early stage and metastatic AR+ TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina N Sharifi
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI.
| | - Ruth M O'Regan
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Kari B Wisinski
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
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Kirkby M, Popatia AM, Lavoie JR, Wang L. The Potential of Hormonal Therapies for Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4702. [PMID: 37835396 PMCID: PMC10571841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer with poor survival rates compared to other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC is characterized by the absence of the estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, limiting those viable treatment options available to patients with other breast cancer subtypes. Furthermore, due to the particularly high heterogeneity of TNBC, conventional treatments such as chemotherapy are not universally effective, leading to drug resistance and intolerable side effects. Thus, there is a pressing need to discover new therapies beneficial to TNBC patients. This review highlights current findings regarding the roles of three steroid hormone receptors, estrogen receptor beta, the androgen receptor, and the glucocorticoid receptor, in the progression of TNBC. In addition, we discussed several ongoing and completed clinical trials targeting these hormone receptors in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Kirkby
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (M.K.); (A.M.P.)
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Alyanna M. Popatia
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (M.K.); (A.M.P.)
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jessie R. Lavoie
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (M.K.); (A.M.P.)
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (M.K.); (A.M.P.)
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
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Thankan RS, Thomas E, Purushottamachar P, Weber DJ, Ramamurthy VP, Huang W, Kane MA, Njar VCO. VNLG-152R and its deuterated analogs potently inhibit/repress triple/quadruple negative breast cancer of diverse racial origins in vitro and in vivo by upregulating E3 Ligase Synoviolin 1 (SYVN1) and inducing proteasomal degradation of MNK1/2. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1240996. [PMID: 37766871 PMCID: PMC10520556 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1240996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its recently identified subtype, quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC), collectively account for approximately 13% of reported breast cancer cases in the United States. These aggressive forms of breast cancer are associated with poor prognoses, limited treatment options, and lower overall survival rates. In previous studies, our research demonstrated that VNLG-152R exhibits inhibitory effects on TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo and the deuterated analogs were more potent inhibitors of TNBC cells in vitro. Building upon these findings, our current study delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying this inhibitory action. Through transcriptome and proteome analyses, we discovered that VNLG-152R upregulates the expression of E3 ligase Synoviolin 1 (SYVN1), also called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl reductase degradation (HRD1) in TNBC cells. Moreover, we provide genetic and pharmacological evidence to demonstrate that SYVN1 mediates the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of MNK1/2, the only known kinases responsible for phosphorylating eIF4E. Phosphorylation of eIF4E being a rate-limiting step in the formation of the eIF4F translation initiation complex, the degradation of MNK1/2 by VNLG-152R and its analogs impedes dysregulated translation in TNBC cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth. Importantly, our findings were validated in vivo using TNBC xenograft models derived from MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-453 cell lines, representing different racial origins and genetic backgrounds. These xenograft models, which encompass TNBCs with varying androgen receptor (AR) expression levels, were effectively inhibited by oral administration of VNLG-152R and its deuterated analogs in NRG mice. Importantly, in direct comparison, our compounds are more effective than enzalutamide and docetaxel in achieving tumor growth inhibition/repression in the AR+ MDA-MD-453 xenograft model in mice. Collectively, our study sheds light on the involvement of SYVN1 E3 ligase in the VNLG-152R-induced degradation of MNK1/2 and the therapeutic potential of VNLG-152R and its more potent deuterated analogs as promising agents for the treatment of TNBC across diverse patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Retheesh S. Thankan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Puranik Purushottamachar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J. Weber
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vincent C. O. Njar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Baltimore, MD, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Ji J, Liu W, Xu Y, Xu Z, Lv M, Feng J, Lv J, He X, Zhang Z, Xie M, Jing A, Wang X, Ma J, Liu B. WXJ-202, a novel Ribociclib derivative, exerts antitumor effects against breast cancer through CDK4/6. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1072194. [PMID: 36744210 PMCID: PMC9894725 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1072194] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are key regulatory proteins in the cell division and proliferative cycle in humans. They are overactive in many malignant tumors, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Inhibition of CDK4/6 targets can have anti-tumor effects. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel derivative of Ribociclib that could affect CDK4/6, named WXJ-202. This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound WXJ-202 on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cell lines and their molecular mechanisms. We assayed cell viability with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Clone formation, migration, and invasion ability were assayed by clone formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell invasion assay. The effect of compound WXJ-202 on apoptosis and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of proteins related to the CDK4/6-Rb-E2F pathway. The anti-cancer effects were studied in vivo transplantation tumor models. WXJ-202 was shown to inhibit cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, as well as induce apoptosis and cycle arrest in breast cancer cells. The levels of proteins related to the CDK4/6-Rb-E2F pathway, such as CDK4, CDK6, and p-Rb, were decreased. Finally, studies had shown that compound WXJ-202 exhibited significant anti-tumor activity in transplantation tumor models. In this research, the compound WXJ-202 was shown to have better anti-tumor cell proliferative effects and could be used as a potential candidate against TNBC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiujun Wang
- *Correspondence: Xiujun Wang, ; Jinming Ma, ; Bin Liu,
| | - Jinming Ma
- *Correspondence: Xiujun Wang, ; Jinming Ma, ; Bin Liu,
| | - Bin Liu
- *Correspondence: Xiujun Wang, ; Jinming Ma, ; Bin Liu,
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Stella S, Martorana F, Massimino M, Vitale SR, Manzella L, Vigneri P. Potential Therapeutic Targets for Luminal Androgen Receptor Breast Cancer: What We Know so Far. Onco Targets Ther 2023; 16:235-247. [PMID: 37056632 PMCID: PMC10089148 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s379867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Luminal Androgen Receptor Breast Cancers (LAR BCs) are characterized by a triple negative phenotype and by the expression of Androgen Receptor (AR), coupled with luminal-like genomic features. This unique BC subtype, accounting for about 10% of all triple negative BC, has raised considerable interest given its ill-defined clinical behavior and the chance to exploit AR as a therapeutic target. The complexity of AR activity in BC cells, as revealed by decades of mechanistic studies, holds promise to offer additional therapeutic options beyond mere AR inhibition. Indeed, preclinical and translational evidence showed that several pathways and mediators, including PI3K/mToR, HER2, BRCA1, cell cycle and immune modulation, can be tackled in LAR BCs. Moving from bench to bedside, several clinical trials tested anti-androgen therapies in LAR BCs, but their results are inconsistent and often disappointing. More recently, studies exploring combinations of anti-androgen agents with other targeted therapies have been designed and are currently ongoing. While the results from these trials are awaited, a concerted effort will be needed to find the biological vulnerabilities of LAR BCs which may disclose new and effective therapeutic targets, eventually improving patients' outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Stella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: Stefania Stella, University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Via S. Sofia, 78, Edificio 8D/2, Catania, Italy, Tel +39 95 378 1946, Email ;
| | - Federica Martorana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Massimino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Rita Vitale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Livia Manzella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Vigneri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
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