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Elia A, Pataccini G, Saldain L, Ambrosio L, Lanari C, Rojas P. Antiprogestins for breast cancer treatment: We are almost ready. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 241:106515. [PMID: 38554981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The development of antiprogestins was initially a gynecological purpose. However, since mifepristone was developed, its application for breast cancer treatment was immediately proposed. Later, new compounds with lower antiglucocorticoid and antiandrogenic effects were developed to be applied to different pathologies, including breast cancer. We describe herein the studies performed in the breast cancer field with special focus on those reported in recent years, ranging from preclinical biological models to those carried out in patients. We highlight the potential use of antiprogestins in breast cancer prevention in women with BRCA1 mutations, and their use for breast cancer treatment, emphasizing the need to elucidate which patients will respond. In this sense, the PR isoform ratio has emerged as a possible tool to predict antiprogestin responsiveness. The effects of combined treatments of antiprogestins together with other drugs currently used in the clinic, such as tamoxifen, CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors or pembrolizumab in preclinical models is discussed since it is in this scenario that antiprogestins will be probably introduced. Finally, we explain how transcriptomic or proteomic studies, that were carried out in different luminal breast cancer models and in breast cancer samples that responded or were predicted to respond to the antiprogestin therapy, show a decrease in proliferative pathways. Deregulated pathways intrinsic of each model are discussed, as well as how these analyses may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Elia
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Pataccini
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leo Saldain
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luisa Ambrosio
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Lanari
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Rojas
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Matossian MD, Elliott S, Rhodes LV, Martin EC, Hoang VT, Burks HE, Zuercher WJ, Drewry DH, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME. Application of a small molecule inhibitor screen approach to identify CXCR4 downstream signaling pathways that promote a mesenchymal and fulvestrant-resistant phenotype in breast cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:380. [PMID: 33777204 PMCID: PMC7988660 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) have well-characterized functions in cancer metastasis; however, the specific mechanisms through which CXCR4 promotes a metastatic and drug-resistant phenotype remain widely unknown. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the application of a phenotypic screening approach using a small molecule inhibitor library to identify potential CXCR4-mediated signaling pathways. The present study demonstrated a new application of the Published Kinase Inhibitor Set (PKIS), a library of small molecule inhibitors from diverse chemotype series with varying levels of selectivity, in a phenotypic medium-throughput screen to identify potential mechanisms to pursue. Crystal violet staining and brightfield microscopy were employed to evaluate relative cell survival and changes to cell morphology in the screens. ‘Hits’ or lead active compounds in the first screen were PKIS inhibitors that reversed mesenchymal morphologies in CXCR4-activated breast cancer cells without the COOH-terminal domain (MCF-7-CXCR4-ΔCTD) and in the phenotypically mesenchymal triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, BT-549 and MDA-MB-157), used as positive controls. In a following screen, the phenotypic and cell viability screen was used with a positive control that was both morphologically mesenchymal and had acquired fulvestrant resistance. Compounds within the same chemotype series were identified that exhibited biological activity in the screens, the ‘active’ inhibitors, were compared with inactive compounds. Relative kinase activity was obtained using published datasets to discover candidate kinase targets responsible for CXCR4 activity. MAP4K4 and MINK reversed both the mesenchymal and drug-resistant phenotypes, NEK9 and DYRK2 only reversed the mesenchymal morphology, and kinases, including ROS, LCK, HCK and LTK, altered the fulvestrant-resistant phenotype. Oligoarray experiments revealed pathways affected in CXCR4-activated cells, and these pathways were compared with the present screening approach to validate our screening tool. The oligoarray approach identified the integrin-mediated, ephrin B-related, RhoA, RAC1 and ErbB signaling pathways to be upregulated in MCF-7-CXCR4-ΔCTD cells, with ephrin B signaling also identified in the PKIS phenotypic screen. The present screening tool may be used to discover potential mechanisms of targeted signaling pathways in solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarite D Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Lyndsay V Rhodes
- Department of Biology, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Martin
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Biology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Van T Hoang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hope E Burks
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - William J Zuercher
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bridgette M Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Cho JH, Chun HY, Lee JS, Lee JH, Cheong KJ, Jung YS, Woo TG, Yoon MH, Oh AY, Kang SM, Lee C, Sun H, Hwang J, Song GY, Park BJ. Prevention effect of rare ginsenosides against stress-hormone induced MTOC amplification. Oncotarget 2018; 7:35144-58. [PMID: 27147573 PMCID: PMC5085216 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has been suggested as one of important cause of human cancer without molecular biological evidence. Thus, we test the effect of stress-related hormones on cell viability and mitotic fidelity. Similarly to estrogen, stress hormone cortisol and its relative cortisone increase microtubule organizing center (MTOC) number through elevated expression of γ-tubulin and provide the Taxol resistance to human cancer cell lines. However, these effects are achieved by glucocorticoid hormone receptor (GR) but not by estrogen receptor (ER). Since ginsenosides possess steroid-like structure, we hypothesized that it would block the stress or estrogen-induced MTOC amplification and Taxol resistance. Among tested chemicals, rare ginsenoside, CSH1 (Rg6) shows obvious effect on inhibition of MTOC amplification, γ-tubulin induction and Taxol resistance. Comparing to Fulvestant (FST), ER-α specific inhibitor, this chemical can block the cortisol/cortisone-induced MTOC deregulation as well as ER-α signaling. Our results suggest that stress hormone induced tumorigenesis would be achieved by MTOC amplification, and CSH1 would be useful for prevention of stress-hormone or steroid hormone-induced chromosomal instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hyun Cho
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Ho-Young Chun
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jung Suk Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejoen, Korea
| | - Jee-Hyun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejoen, Korea
| | - Kyu Jin Cheong
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejoen, Korea
| | - Youn-Sang Jung
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Tae-Gyun Woo
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Yoon
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Ah-Young Oh
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - So-Mi Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Chunghui Lee
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Hokeun Sun
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jihwan Hwang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Gyu-Yong Song
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejoen, Korea
| | - Bum-Joon Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
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Gupta A, Mehta R, Alimirah F, Peng X, Murillo G, Wiehle R, Mehta RG. Efficacy and mechanism of action of Proellex, an antiprogestin in aromatase overexpressing and Letrozole resistant T47D breast cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 133:30-42. [PMID: 22939887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Revised: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are considered as a first line therapy for ER+PR+ breast cancers. However, many patients acquire resistance to AI. In this study, we determined the response of antiprogestin CDB-4124 (Proellex) on the aromatase overexpressing and Letrozole resistant cell lines and also studies its mechanism of action in inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation. For these studies we generated aromatase overexpressing T47D (T47Darom) and respective control (T47Dcon) breast cancer cell lines by stable transfection with plasmid containing CYP19A1 gene, or empty vector respectively. Letrozole resistant cell line (T47DaromLR) was generated by incubating T47Darom for 75 weeks in the presence of 10 μM Letrozole. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT or crystal violet assays. Gene expressions were quantified by QRT-PCR whereas proteins were identified by western blot analyses, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Aromatase activity was determined by estradiol ELISA. The effects of Proellex on the anchorage independent growth were measured by soft agar colony formation. Statistical differences between the various groups were determined by Student's 't' test or ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. Results showed that T47Darom and T47DaromLR cell lines had significantly higher aromatase expression (mRNA; 80-90 fold and protein) and as a result exhibited increased aromatization of testosterone to estradiol as compared to T47Dcon. Both these cell lines showed enhanced growth in the presence of Testosterone (50-60%). In T47DaromLR cells increased PR-B and EGFR expression as compared to T47Dcon cells was observed. Proellex and other known aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole, and Exemestane) inhibited testosterone induced cell proliferation and anchorage independent growth of T47Darom cells. Cell growth inhibition was significantly greater when cells were treated with Proellex alone or in combination with other AIs as compared to AIs alone. Proellex inhibited mRNA and protein levels of PR-B, reduced PRB/p300 complex formation in the nuclei and significantly reduced EGFR expression in T47Darom cells. Our results in the present study indicate that antiproliferative effect of Proellex is probably due to PR-B/EGFR modulation in ER+PR+, aromatase expressing cells. Overall these results suggest that antiprogestin, Proellex can be developed as a possible treatment strategy for aromatase overexpressing ER+/PR+ breast cancer patients as well as for aromatase inhibitor resistant breast cancer patients.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/pharmacology
- Aromatase/genetics
- Aromatase/metabolism
- Aromatase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Base Sequence
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genes, erbB-1/drug effects
- Humans
- Letrozole
- Nitriles/pharmacology
- Norpregnadienes/pharmacology
- Progestins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Promegestone/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Tamoxifen/pharmacology
- Testosterone/pharmacology
- Triazoles/pharmacology
- Tumor Stem Cell Assay
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Gupta
- Cancer Biology Division, IIT Research Institute, Chicago, IL 60616, USA.
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Giulianelli S, Vaqué JP, Soldati R, Wargon V, Vanzulli SI, Martins R, Zeitlin E, Molinolo AA, Helguero LA, Lamb CA, Gutkind JS, Lanari C. Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mediates Progestin-Induced Mammary Tumor Growth by Interacting with Progesterone Receptors at the Cyclin D1/MYC Promoters. Cancer Res 2012; 72:2416-27. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Soldati R, Wargon V, Cerliani JP, Giulianelli S, Vanzulli SI, Gorostiaga MA, Bolado J, do Campo P, Molinolo A, Vollmer G, Lanari C. Inhibition of mammary tumor growth by estrogens: is there a specific role for estrogen receptors alpha and beta? Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010; 123:709-24. [PMID: 20012353 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-009-0659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the extent to which each estrogen receptor (ER) subtype contributes to the stimulation or to the inhibition of mammary tumor growth, we evaluated the effects of specific agonists in MC4-L2 cells, which are stimulated by 17β-estradiol (E(2)), and in mammary carcinomas of the MPA mouse breast cancer model, which are inhibited by E(2). Both express ERα and ERβ. In MC4-L2 cells, 4,4',4"-(4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT; ERα agonist) and (4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionitrile (DPN; ERβ agonist) stimulated cell proliferation, whereas the opposite occurred in C4-HI primary cultures. The inhibitory effect was associated with a decrease in ERα and cyclin D1 expression and an increase in progesterone receptor (PR) expression as well as in the Bax/Bcl-xl ratio. In vivo, mice carrying C4-HI or 32-2-HI tumors were treated with E(2), PPT or DPN (3 mg/kg/day) or with vehicle. PPT and DPN inhibited tumor size, as did E(2), during the first 72 h. After a few days, DPN-treated tumors started to grow again, while PPT-treated tumors remained quiescent for a longer period of time. A pronounced decrease in the mitotic index and an increase in the apoptotic index was associated with tumor regression. All treated tumors showed: (a) an increase in integrin α6 and Bax expression, (b) an increased stromal laminin redistribution, and (c) a decrease in ERα, Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.001). Apoptosis-inducing factor (Aif) expression was increased in DPN-treated tumors, while active caspase 9 was up-regulated in PPT-treated mice, demonstrating the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in estrogen-induced regression in this model. In conclusion, our data indicate that although there may be some preferences for activation pathways by the different agonists, the stimulatory or inhibitory effects triggered by estrogens are cell-context dependent rather than ER isoform dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Soldati
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), 1428 Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bruzzone A, Vanzulli SI, Soldati R, Giulianelli S, Lanari C, Lüthy IA. Novel human breast cancer cell lines IBH-4, IBH-6, and IBH-7 growing in nude mice. J Cell Physiol 2009; 219:477-84. [PMID: 19194992 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. However, in vivo hormone receptor positive and metastatic models are scarce. The aim of the present manuscript was to assess if the novel steroid receptor positive human cell lines IBH-4, IBH-6, and IBH-7 developed in our laboratory from primary infiltrant ductal carcinomas are good models to study in vivo human breast cancer. Cell lines or tumors were inoculated to nude mice in the presence or absence of hormone supplementation. Growth was analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer's test. Steroid hormone expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The histology of the tumors was analyzed. IBH-4 and IBH-6 cells were inoculated to nude mice and 100% of the injected mice developed tumors in the presence or absence of hormone treatment, although tamoxifen inhibited growth. IBH-4 and IBH-6 cell lines in vivo gave rise to poorly differentiated carcinomas with areas of solid growth and sarcomatoid areas showing no morphological signs of epithelial differentiation. Distinct features of malignancy were observed. IBH-7 tumors in animals receiving estradiol were semi-differentiated adenocarcinomas. IBH-7 cells grew only in the presence of estradiol, but even with hormone addition, the tumor take was 20%. These tumors metastasized to the uterus and lung and vascular tumor emboli were evident. IBH-7 tumors were invasive and able to break through the peritoneum. As a conclusion, IBH-4 and IBH-6 are good models for studying tumor progression, whereas IBH-7 is a good model for tumor take, being metastatic and strictly estrogen-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Bruzzone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado, 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Patients with advanced breast cancer frequently develop metastasis to bone. Bone metastasis results in intractable pain and a high risk of fractures due to tumor-driven bone loss (osteolysis), which is caused by increased osteoclast activity. Osteolysis releases bone-bound growth factors including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). The widely accepted model of osteolytic bone metastasis in breast cancer is based on the hypothesis that the TGF-beta released during osteolytic lesion development stimulates tumor cell parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP), causing stromal cells to secrete receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand (RANKL), thus increasing osteoclast differentiation. Elevated osteoclast numbers results in increased bone resorption, leading to more TGF-beta being released from bone. This interaction between tumor cells and the bone microenvironment results in a vicious cycle of bone destruction and tumor growth. Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed small molecule therapeutics that target tumor-driven osteoclastic activity in osteolytic breast cancers. In addition to bisphosphonate therapies, steroidal and non-steroidal antiestrogen and adjuvant therapies with aromatase inhibitors are additional small molecule therapies that may add to the arsenal for treatment of osteolytic breast cancer. This review focuses on a brief discussion of tumor-driven osteolysis and the effects of small molecule therapies in reducing osteolytic tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzaffer Cicek
- Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55901, USA.
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Helguero LA, Faulds MH, Gustafsson JA, Haldosén LA. Estrogen receptors alfa (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) differentially regulate proliferation and apoptosis of the normal murine mammary epithelial cell line HC11. Oncogene 2005; 24:6605-16. [PMID: 16007178 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The mitogenic effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on the breast is mediated by estrogen receptor alfa (ERalpha), hence ERalpha antagonists are effective in the treatment of breast cancer. The possible use of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) as a target in treatment of breast cancer is under investigation. The mouse mammary cell line HC11 expresses both ERs and was used to study the role of the two receptors in proliferation. E2 had no effect on proliferation. The ERalpha-selective agonist 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT) stimulated proliferation. The ERbeta-selective agonist 2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis. PPT upregulated while DPN downregulated cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Upon inhibition of ERalpha expression with RNA interference, E2 caused a decrease in cyclin D1 and PCNA, and increased apoptosis. When ERbeta expression was blocked, E2 induced proliferation and cells gained the capacity to grow in soft agar. In summary, in HC11 mammary epithelial cells, ERalpha drives proliferation in response to E2 while ERbeta is growth inhibitory. The lack of effect of E2 on HC11 cell growth is the result of the combined actions of ERalpha (proliferation) and ERbeta (apoptosis). We suggest that use of ERbeta agonists will be a useful addition in treatment of breast cancer, which, at present, is only aimed at inhibition of ERalpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa A Helguero
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, NOVUM, Huddinge, Sweden
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Lamb CA, Helguero LA, Giulianelli S, Soldati R, Vanzulli SI, Molinolo A, Lanari C. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting the progesterone receptor inhibit hormone-independent breast cancer growth in mice. Breast Cancer Res 2005; 7:R1111-21. [PMID: 16457691 PMCID: PMC1410760 DOI: 10.1186/bcr1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2005] [Revised: 09/09/2005] [Accepted: 10/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous data from our laboratory suggested that progesterone receptors (PRs) are involved in progestin-independent growth of mammary carcinomas. To investigate this possibility further, we studied the effects of PR antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (asPR) on in vivo tumor growth. Method BALB/c mice with subcutaneous 25 mm2 mammary carcinomas expressing estrogen receptor-α and PR were either injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg asPR every 24 or 12 hours for 5–10 days, or subcutaneously with RU 486 (6.5 mg/kg body weight) every 24 hours. Control mice received vehicle or scPR. Results Significant inhibition of tumor growth as well as a significant decrease in bromodeoxyuridine uptake was observed in asPR-treated mice, which correlated with histological signs of regression and increased apoptosis. Mice treated with RU 486 experienced almost complete tumor regression. No differences were detected between vehicle-treated and scPR-treated mice. Anti-progestin-treated and asPR-treated mice were in a continuous estrous/meta-estrous state. Decreased phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1 and ERK2 levels and estrogen receptor-α expression were observed as late events in RU 486-treated and asPR-treated mice with regressing tumors. Conclusion We demonstrate, for the first time, inhibition of tumor growth in vivo using asPR. Our results provide further evidence for a critical and hierarchical role of the PR pathway in mammary carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Lamb
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luisa A Helguero
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Giulianelli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocío Soldati
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia I Vanzulli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Molinolo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Lanari
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Vanzulli SI, Soldati R, Meiss R, Colombo L, Molinolo AA, Lanari C. Estrogen or antiprogestin treatment induces complete regression of pulmonary and axillary metastases in an experimental model of breast cancer progression. Carcinogenesis 2005; 26:1055-63. [PMID: 15774491 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgi060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper we demonstrate, using the C7-2-HI metastatic transplantable ductal mammary tumor, that endocrine therapy can induce complete regression of spontaneous lymph node and lung metastases in a mouse model of breast cancer progression. This tumor expresses high levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors and shows a high incidence of early axillary lymph nodes and lung metastases; using this model we had previously shown complete tumor regression of subcutaneous implants. Interestingly, although the metastases showed a more differentiated histology as compared with the primary growth, they underwent complete regression when treated with estrogens or antiprogestins. This phenomenon was associated with sustained cytostasis and apoptosis accompanied by increases in p21 and p27 expression and early tissue remodeling. These results highlight the essential role of PR in regulating cell proliferation in this model as well as its possible use as therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia I Vanzulli
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Hawk ET, Umar A, Lubet RA, Kopelovich L, Viner JL. Can animal models help us select specific compounds for cancer prevention trials? Recent Results Cancer Res 2005; 166:71-87. [PMID: 15648184 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-26980-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Animal models provide unparalleled mechanistic insights into cancer development and potential opportunity for cancer prevention. Nevertheless, species differ markedly with regard to dietary exposures, cancer development, drug effects, and toxicity thresholds; therefore, testing in a single animal system may not predict human responses. Although replication of human cancer in animal models remains inexact, more than two decades of research have clearly yielded significant gains, as is evident in agents tested--and in certain cases, approved--for the prevention of epithelial cancers. Research efficiencies achievable through preliminary testing in genetically engineered and carcinogen-induced animal models enable us to probe genetic and signaling pathways that drive normal and neoplastic processes, and thereby figure prominently in decision trees for agent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest T Hawk
- GI and Other Cancers Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Suite 2141, 6130 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892-7317, USA.
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