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Zeng H, Wang W, Zhang L, Lin Z. HER3-targeted therapy: the mechanism of drug resistance and the development of anticancer drugs. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:14. [PMID: 38835349 PMCID: PMC11149107 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2024.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3), which is part of the HER family, is aberrantly expressed in various human cancers. Since HER3 only has weak tyrosine kinase activity, when HER3 ligand neuregulin 1 (NRG1) or neuregulin 2 (NRG2) appears, activated HER3 contributes to cancer development and drug resistance by forming heterodimers with other receptors, mainly including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Inhibition of HER3 and its downstream signaling, including PI3K/AKT, MEK/MAPK, JAK/STAT, and Src kinase, is believed to be necessary to conquer drug resistance and improve treatment efficiency. Until now, despite multiple anti-HER3 antibodies undergoing preclinical and clinical studies, none of the HER3-targeted therapies are licensed for utilization in clinical cancer treatment because of their safety and efficacy. Therefore, the development of HER3-targeted drugs possessing safety, tolerability, and sensitivity is crucial for clinical cancer treatment. This review summarizes the progress of the mechanism of HER3 in drug resistance, the HER3-targeted therapies that are conducted in preclinical and clinical trials, and some emerging molecules that could be used as future designed drugs for HER3, aiming to provide insights for future research and development of anticancer drugs targeting HER3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilan Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cancer Center, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 404000, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Zhenghong Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
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Zhang Y. Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor for Cancer Treatment: Abolishing Both Kinase-Dependent and Kinase-Independent Functions of the Receptor. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:1218-1232. [PMID: 37339882 PMCID: PMC10595022 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is activated by ligand binding, overexpression, or mutation. It is well known for its tyrosine kinase-dependent oncogenic activities in a variety of human cancers. A large number of EGFR inhibitors have been developed for cancer treatment, including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and a vaccine. The EGFR inhibitors are aimed at inhibiting the activation or the activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase. However, these agents have shown efficacy in only a few types of cancers. Drug resistance, both intrinsic and acquired, is common even in cancers where the inhibitors have shown efficacy. The drug resistance mechanism is complex and not fully known. The key vulnerability of cancer cells that are resistant to EGFR inhibitors has not been identified. Nevertheless, it has been increasingly recognized in recent years that EGFR also possesses kinase-independent oncogenic functions and that these noncanonical functions may play a crucial role in cancer resistance to EGFR inhibitors. In this review, both kinase-dependent and -independent activities of EGFR are discussed. Also discussed are the mechanisms of actions and therapeutic activities of clinically used EGFR inhibitors and sustained EGFR overexpression and EGFR interaction with other receptor tyrosine kinases to counter the EGFR inhibitors. Moreover, this review discusses emerging experimental therapeutics that have shown potential for overcoming the limitation of the current EGFR inhibitors in preclinical studies. The findings underscore the importance and feasibility of targeting both kinase-dependent and -independent functions of EGFR to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize drug resistance. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: EGFR is a major oncogenic driver and therapeutic target, but cancer resistance to current EGFR inhibitors remains a significant unmet clinical problem. This article reviews the cancer biology of EGFR as well as the mechanisms of actions and the therapeutic efficacies of current and emerging EGFR inhibitors. The findings could potentially lead to development of more effective treatments for EGFR-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuesheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Kilroy MK, Park S, Feroz W, Patel H, Mishra R, Alanazi S, Garrett JT. HER3 Alterations in Cancer and Potential Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246174. [PMID: 36551663 PMCID: PMC9776947 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the third member of the HER family, kinase impaired HER3, has become a target of interest in cancer as there is accumulating evidence that HER3 plays a role in tumor growth and progression. This review focuses on HER3 activation in bladder, breast, colorectal, and lung cancer disease progression. HER3 mutations occur at a rate up to ~10% of tumors dependent on the tumor type. With patient tumors routinely sequenced for gene alterations in recent years, we have focused on HER3 mutations in bladder, breast, colon, and lung cancers particularly in response to targeted therapies and the potential to become a resistance mechanism. There are currently several HER3 targeting drugs in the pipeline, possibly improving outcomes for cancer patients with tumors containing HER3 activation and/or alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kate Kilroy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - SoYoung Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Cancer Research Scholars Program, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Wasim Feroz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Hima Patel
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rosalin Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Samar Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Joan T. Garrett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence:
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Gandullo-Sánchez L, Ocaña A, Pandiella A. HER3 in cancer: from the bench to the bedside. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:310. [PMID: 36271429 PMCID: PMC9585794 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02515-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The HER3 protein, that belongs to the ErbB/HER receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family, is expressed in several types of tumors. That fact, together with the role of HER3 in promoting cell proliferation, implicate that targeting HER3 may have therapeutic relevance. Furthermore, expression and activation of HER3 has been linked to resistance to drugs that target other HER receptors such as agents that act on EGFR or HER2. In addition, HER3 has been associated to resistance to some chemotherapeutic drugs. Because of those circumstances, efforts to develop and test agents targeting HER3 have been carried out. Two types of agents targeting HER3 have been developed. The most abundant are antibodies or engineered antibody derivatives that specifically recognize the extracellular region of HER3. In addition, the use of aptamers specifically interacting with HER3, vaccines or HER3-targeting siRNAs have also been developed. Here we discuss the state of the art of the preclinical and clinical development of drugs aimed at targeting HER3 with therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Gandullo-Sánchez
- grid.428472.f0000 0004 1794 2467Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC, IBSAL and CIBERONC, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Ocaña
- grid.411068.a0000 0001 0671 5785Hospital Clínico San Carlos and CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Atanasio Pandiella
- grid.428472.f0000 0004 1794 2467Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC, IBSAL and CIBERONC, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Gámez-Chiachio M, Sarrió D, Moreno-Bueno G. Novel Therapies and Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Anti-HER2-Targeted Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4543. [PMID: 36139701 PMCID: PMC9496705 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis and quality of life of HER2 breast cancer patients have significantly improved due to the crucial clinical benefit of various anti-HER2 targeted therapies. However, HER2 tumors can possess or develop several resistance mechanisms to these treatments, thus leaving patients with a limited set of additional therapeutic options. Fortunately, to overcome this problem, in recent years, multiple different and complementary approaches have been developed (such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)) that are in clinical or preclinical stages. In this review, we focus on emerging strategies other than on ADCs that are either aimed at directly target the HER2 receptor (i.e., novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors) or subsequent intracellular signaling (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, CDK4/6 inhibitors, etc.), as well as on innovative approaches designed to attack other potential tumor weaknesses (such as immunotherapy, autophagy blockade, or targeting of other genes within the HER2 amplicon). Moreover, relevant technical advances such as anti-HER2 nanotherapies and immunotoxins are also discussed. In brief, this review summarizes the impact of novel therapeutic approaches on current and future clinical management of aggressive HER2 breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gámez-Chiachio
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sarrió
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Moreno-Bueno
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- MD Anderson International Foundation, 28033 Madrid, Spain
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Krieg D, Winter G, Svilenov HL. It is never too late for a cocktail - Development and analytical characterization of fixed-dose antibody combinations. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:2149-2157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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