1
|
Shukla N, Shah K, Rathore D, Soni K, Shah J, Vora H, Dave H. Androgen receptor: Structure, signaling, function and potential drug discovery biomarker in different breast cancer subtypes. Life Sci 2024; 348:122697. [PMID: 38710280 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122697] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The Androgen Receptor (AR) is emerging as an important factor in the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC), which is the most common malignancy worldwide. >70 % of AR expression in primary and metastatic breast tumors has been observed which suggests that AR may be a new marker and a potential therapeutic target among AR-positive BC patients. Biological insight into AR-positive breast cancer reveals that AR may cross-talk with several vital signaling pathways, including key molecules and receptors. Downstream signaling of AR might also affect many clinically important pathways that are emerging as clinical targets in BC. AR exhibits different behaviors depending on the breast cancer molecular subtype. Preliminary clinical research using AR-targeted drugs, which have already been FDA-approved for prostate cancer (PC), has given promising results for AR-positive breast cancer patients. However, since AR positivity's prognostic and predictive value remains uncertain, it is difficult to identify and stratify patients who would benefit from AR-targeted therapies alone. Thus, the need of the hour is to target the androgen receptor as a monotherapy or in combination with other conventional therapies which has proven to be an effective clinical strategy for the treatment of prostate cancer patients, and these therapeutic strategies are increasingly being investigated in breast cancer. Therefore, in this manuscript, we review the role of AR in various cellular processes that promote tumorigenesis and aggressiveness, in different subtypes of breast cancer, as well as discuss ongoing efforts to target AR for the more effective treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirali Shukla
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Kanisha Shah
- Division of Biological & Life Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Deepshikha Rathore
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Kinal Soni
- Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Jigna Shah
- Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India
| | - Hemangini Vora
- The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380016, India
| | - Heena Dave
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khan SU, Fatima K, Aisha S, Malik F. Unveiling the mechanisms and challenges of cancer drug resistance. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:109. [PMID: 38347575 PMCID: PMC10860306 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01302-1] [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: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment faces many hurdles and resistance is one among them. Anti-cancer treatment strategies are evolving due to innate and acquired resistance capacity, governed by genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, metabolic, or microenvironmental cues that ultimately enable selected cancer cells to survive and progress under unfavorable conditions. Although the mechanism of drug resistance is being widely studied to generate new target-based drugs with better potency than existing ones. However, due to the broader flexibility in acquired drug resistance, advanced therapeutic options with better efficacy need to be explored. Combination therapy is an alternative with a better success rate though the risk of amplified side effects is commonplace. Moreover, recent groundbreaking precision immune therapy is one of the ways to overcome drug resistance and has revolutionized anticancer therapy to a greater extent with the only limitation of being individual-specific and needs further attention. This review will focus on the challenges and strategies opted by cancer cells to withstand the current therapies at the molecular level and also highlights the emerging therapeutic options -like immunological, and stem cell-based options that may prove to have better potential to challenge the existing problem of therapy resistance. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar-190005, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India.
| | - Kaneez Fatima
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar-190005, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Shariqa Aisha
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar-190005, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar-190005, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rajarajan S, Snijesh VP, Anupama CE, Nair MG, Mavatkar AD, Naidu CM, Patil S, Nimbalkar VP, Alexander A, Pillai M, Jolly MK, Sabarinathan R, Ramesh RS, Bs S, Prabhu JS. An androgen receptor regulated gene score is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition features in triple negative breast cancers. Transl Oncol 2023; 37:101761. [PMID: 37603927 PMCID: PMC10465938 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen receptor (AR) is considered a marker of better prognosis in hormone receptor positive breast cancers (BC), however, its role in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is controversial. This may be attributed to intrinsic molecular differences or scoring methods for AR positivity. We derived AR regulated gene score and examined its utility in BC subtypes. METHODS AR regulated genes were derived by applying a bioinformatic pipeline on publicly available microarray data sets of AR+ BC cell lines and gene score was calculated as average expression of six AR regulated genes. Tumors were divided into AR high and low based on gene score and associations with clinical parameters, circulating androgens, survival and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were examined, further evaluated in invitro models and public datasets. RESULTS 53% (133/249) tumors were classified as AR gene score high and were associated with significantly better clinical parameters, disease-free survival (86.13 vs 72.69 months, log rank p = 0.032) when compared to AR low tumors. 36% of TNBC (N = 66) were AR gene score high with higher expression of EMT markers (p = 0.024) and had high intratumoral levels of 5α-reductase, enzyme involved in intracrine androgen metabolism. In MDA-MB-453 treated with dihydrotestosterone, SLUG expression increased, E-cadherin decreased with increase in migration and these changes were reversed with bicalutamide. Similar results were obtained in public datasets. CONCLUSION Deciphering the role of AR in BC is difficult based on AR protein levels alone. Our results support the context dependent function of AR in driving better prognosis in ER positive tumors and EMT features in TNBC tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savitha Rajarajan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India; Centre for Doctoral Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - V P Snijesh
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India; Centre for Doctoral Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - C E Anupama
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Madhumathy G Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Apoorva D Mavatkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Chandrakala M Naidu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sharada Patil
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Vidya P Nimbalkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Annie Alexander
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Rakesh S Ramesh
- Department of Surgical Oncology, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Srinath Bs
- Department of Surgery, Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Santos MMD, Frasson AL, Silva VDD, Maciel ADCA, Watte G, Werutsky G, Reinert T, Fay AP. Core Needle Biopsy Accuracy for Androgen Receptor Expression in Invasive Breast Cancer. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRÍCIA 2023; 45:e535-e541. [PMID: 37846186 PMCID: PMC10579921 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772486] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Breast cancer (BC) biomarkers, such as hormone receptors expression, are crucial to guide therapy in BC patients. Antiandrogens have been studied in BC; however, limited data are available on androgen receptor (AR) expression test methodology. We aim to report the core needle biopsy (CNB) accuracy for AR expression in BC. METHODS Patients diagnosed with stage I-III invasive BC from a single institution were included. Androgen receptor expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using 1 and 10% cutoff and the AR expression in surgical specimens (SS) was the gold standard. Kappa coefficients were used to evaluate the intraprocedural agreement. RESULTS A total of 72 patients were included, with a mean age of 61 years old and 84% were Luminal A or B tumors. The prevalence of AR expression in all BC samples was 87.5% using a cutoff ≥ 10% in SS. With a cutoff value ≥ 1%, CNB had an accuracy of 95.8% (Kappa value = 0.645; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.272-1.000; p < 0.001) and 86.1% (Kappa value = 0.365; 95% CI: 0.052-0.679; p < 0.001) when ≥ 10% cutoff was used for AR positivity. Androgen receptor expression in CNB (cutoff ≥ 1%) had a sensitivity of 98.5%, specificity of 60%, positive predictive value of 97.0%, and a negative predictive value of 76.9% in the detection of AR expression in SS. CONCLUSION Core needle biopsy has good accuracy in evaluating AR expression in BC. The accuracy of CNB decreases with higher cutoff values for AR positivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle Morais dos Santos
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Antonio Luiz Frasson
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | - Guilherme Watte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Werutsky
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tomás Reinert
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Oncoclínicas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Poisl Fay
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Oncoclínicas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Katleba KD, Ghosh PM, Mudryj M. Beyond Prostate Cancer: An Androgen Receptor Splice Variant Expression in Multiple Malignancies, Non-Cancer Pathologies, and Development. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2215. [PMID: 37626712 PMCID: PMC10452427 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of androgen receptor (AR) splice variants (SVs) in the progression of prostate cancer to the castration-resistant phenotype and their utility as a diagnostic. However, studies on AR expression in non-prostatic malignancies uncovered that AR-SVs are expressed in glioblastoma, breast, salivary, bladder, kidney, and liver cancers, where they have diverse roles in tumorigenesis. AR-SVs also have roles in non-cancer pathologies. In granulosa cells from women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, unique AR-SVs lead to an increase in androgen production. In patients with nonobstructive azoospermia, testicular Sertoli cells exhibit differential expression of AR-SVs, which is associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Moreover, AR-SVs have been identified in normal cells, including blood mononuclear cells, neuronal lipid rafts, and the placenta. The detection and characterization of AR-SVs in mammalian and non-mammalian species argue that AR-SV expression is evolutionarily conserved and that AR-SV-dependent signaling is a fundamental regulatory feature in multiple cellular contexts. These discoveries argue that alternative splicing of the AR transcript is a commonly used mechanism that leads to an expansion in the repertoire of signaling molecules needed in certain tissues. Various malignancies appropriate this mechanism of alternative AR splicing to acquire a proliferative and survival advantage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley D. Katleba
- Veterans Affairs-Northern California Health Care System, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655, USA; (K.D.K.); (P.M.G.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 1 Shields Avenue, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Paramita M. Ghosh
- Veterans Affairs-Northern California Health Care System, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655, USA; (K.D.K.); (P.M.G.)
- Department of Urologic Surgery, 4860 Y Street, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA 95718, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 1 Shields Avenue, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Maria Mudryj
- Veterans Affairs-Northern California Health Care System, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655, USA; (K.D.K.); (P.M.G.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 1 Shields Avenue, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Modulating the Activity of Androgen Receptor for Treating Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315342. [PMID: 36499670 PMCID: PMC9739178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid hormone receptor widely detected in breast cancer. Evidence suggests that the AR might be a tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ERα+ve) breast cancer but a tumor promoter in estrogen receptor alpha-negative (ERα-ve) breast cancer. Modulating AR activity could be a potential strategy for treating breast cancer. For ERα+ve breast cancer, activation of the AR had been demonstrated to suppress the disease. In contrast, for ERα-ve breast cancer, blocking the AR could confer better prognosis to patients. These studies support the feasibility of utilizing AR modulators as anti-cancer drugs for different subtypes of breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, several issues still need to be addressed, such as the lack of standardization in the determination of AR positivity and the presence of AR splice variants. In future, the inclusion of the AR status in the breast cancer report at the time of diagnosis might help improve disease classification and treatment decision, thereby providing additional treatment strategies for breast cancer.
Collapse
|
7
|
Taurelli Salimbeni B, Corvaja C, Valenza C, Zagami P, Curigliano G. The triple negative breast cancer drugs graveyard: a review of failed clinical trials 2017-2022. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:1203-1226. [PMID: 36413823 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2151433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15-20% of breast cancers (BC) and has the worst prognosis. It is characterized by the absence of both hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). TNBC has more limited therapeutic options compared to other subtypes, meaning that there is still a long way to go to discover target treatments. AREAS COVERED Our review aims to summarize phase II/III clinical trials enrolling patients with TNBC that have been published between 2017 and 2022 but failed to reach their primary endpoint. We here try to emphasize the limitations and weaknesses noted in negative studies and to point out unexpected results which might be useful to enhance the therapeutic approach to TNBC disease. EXPERT OPINION A deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind TNBC heterogeneity allowed to enhance the knowledge of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers of response. However, it is also through several failed clinical trials that we were able to define new therapeutic approaches which improved TNBC patients' clinical outcomes. Nowadays, we still need to overcome several difficulties to fully recognize different intracellular and extracellular pathways that crosstalk in TNBC and the mechanisms of resistance to identify novel tailored-patients' therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Taurelli Salimbeni
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, "la Sapienza" University of Rome, Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Corvaja
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Carmine Valenza
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Zagami
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haematology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Haruna M, Daramola AO, Awolola NA, Badr NM, Banjo AAF, Shaaban A. Clinicopathological features and androgen receptor expression in triple negative breast cancer at Lagos, Nigeria. Ecancermedicalscience 2022; 16:1452. [PMID: 36405944 PMCID: PMC9666286 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2022.1452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Androgen receptor (AR) is one of the predominant nuclear hormone receptors in invasive breast cancer and can be explored as a biomarker of response for targeted anti-androgen therapy, especially in the setting of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Luminal AR is a distinct subtype amongst TNBC cases following gene expression studies. TNBC is higher in Africans (23%-82%) and African-Americans (29.8%) compared to Caucasian (10%-15%) breast cancer patients; however, there is a paucity of data on AR expression in this population. The aim of this study is to determine the expression of AR and the proportion of AR positive cancers in TNBCs at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY Out of 99 reviewed cases, 78 formalin fixed, paraffin embedded TNBC cases were assembled into a tissue microarray, stained and analysed for AR expression using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The mean age of the TNBC patients was 49.3 years (range: 20-80 years). The histologic types in this study were invasive carcinoma (no special type) 75.4%; metaplastic carcinoma 21.4%; lobular carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma 1.6% each. Of 61 TNBC cases analysed, 37.7% were AR positive and 62.3% were AR negative, making the latter to become quadruple negative breast cancers. There was a significant association between age and AR expression (p = 0.02). In the subjects that expressed AR positivity, patients below 50 years accounted for 34.8% (8 of 23) while 65.2% (15 of 23) were above 50 years. There was no significant association between AR expression and histologic type or tumour grade. CONCLUSION Over a third of this Nigerian TNBC cohort study is AR+. This warrants further exploration of the predictive and prognostic significance of its expression amongst TNBC and the potential for targeted therapy, specifically androgen antagonists to improve the outcome of this disease with limited therapeutic options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muibat Haruna
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100254, Nigeria
| | - Adetola Olubunmi Daramola
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100254, Nigeria
- Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101014, Nigeria
| | - Nicholas Awodele Awolola
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100254, Nigeria
- Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101014, Nigeria
| | - Nahla Mustafa Badr
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom 32511, Egypt
- Institute of Cancer Science and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Adekunbiola Aina Fehintola Banjo
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100254, Nigeria
- Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101014, Nigeria
| | - Abeer Shaaban
- Institute of Cancer Science and Genomics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vtorushin S, Dulesova A, Krakhmal N. Luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype of triple-negative breast cancer: molecular, morphological, and clinical features. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:617-624. [PMID: 35953756 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2200113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
According to the classification presented by Lehmann BD (2016), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors with four specific subtypes: basal-like (subtype 1 and subtype 2), mesenchymal, and luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtypes. The basal-like subtypes of carcinomas predominate in this group, accounting for up to 80% of all cases. Despite the significantly lower proportions of mesenchymal and LAR variants in the group of breast carcinomas with a TNBC profile, such tumors are characterized by aggressive biological behavior. To this end, the LAR subtype is of particular interest, since the literature on such tumors presents different and even contradictory data concerning the disease course and prognosis. This review is devoted to the analysis of the relevant literature, reflecting the main results of studies on the molecular properties and clinical features of the disease course of LAR-type TNBC carcinomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Vtorushin
- Department of Pathology, Siberian State Medical University Ministry of Health of Russia, Tomsk 634050, Russia.,Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634009, Russia
| | - Anastasia Dulesova
- Department of Pathology, Republican Clinical Oncological Dispensary Ministry of Health, Tatarstan Republic, Kazan 420029, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Krakhmal
- Department of Pathology, Siberian State Medical University Ministry of Health of Russia, Tomsk 634050, Russia. .,Department of General and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634009, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Takada K, Kashiwagi S, Asano Y, Goto W, Morisaki T, Shibutani M, Tanaka H, Hirakawa K, Ohira M. Differences in tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density and prognostic factors for breast cancer by patient age. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:38. [PMID: 35177074 PMCID: PMC8851811 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphocytes that surround cancer participate in tumor-related immune responses and are called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Several recent reports suggest TILs index the tumor microenvironment and predict the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy. However, only few studies have studied the relationship between age and TILs. Aging reduces host immunity, and we predict that it may also affect TILs. Thus, we hypothesized that older breast cancer (BC) patients may have low TIL density than younger BC patients. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the differences in TILs by age and the therapeutic effects of preoperative chemotherapy (POC) in BC patients who were aged either less than 45 years or more than 60 years. Methods We retrospectively examined the data of 356 breast cancer patients who underwent POC, including 75 patients aged ≤ 45 years and 116 patients aged > 60 years. Using pre-treatment needle biopsy specimens, TIL density was compared for each age group by Student’s t-test. After analyzing different factors that affect TIL density, prognostic factors were also examined. Results Older patients with triple-negative BC had significantly lower TIL density than younger patients, while in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-enriched BC, TIL density was significantly higher in the younger age group than that in the older age group. In addition, younger patients with HER2-rich breast cancer showed significantly higher complete pathological response rates than older patients with HER2-rich BC. In addition, significant differences in overall survival were observed among these patients with triple-negative BC. Conclusions Our study suggests that younger BC patients possess significantly higher TIL density than older patients. These differences may influence the therapeutic efficacy in highly immunogenic subtypes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02513-5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Takada
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
| | - Yuka Asano
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Wataru Goto
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Tamami Morisaki
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masatsune Shibutani
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kosei Hirakawa
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Androgen Receptor as an Emerging Feasible Biomarker for Breast Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010072. [PMID: 35053220 PMCID: PMC8774219 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction in targeted therapy. The estrogen receptor α (ERα) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are standard biomarkers used in breast cancer for guiding disease treatment. The androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear hormone receptor, contributes to the development and progression of prostate tumors and other cancers. With increasing evidence to support that AR plays an essential role in breast cancer, AR has been considered a useful biomarker in breast cancer, depending on the context of breast cancer sub-types. The existing survival analyses suggest that AR acts as a tumor suppressor in ER + ve breast cancers, serving as a favorable prognostic marker. However, AR functions as a tumor promoter in ER-ve breast cancers, including HER2 + ve and triple-negative (TNBC) breast cancers, serving as a poor prognostic factor. AR has also been shown to be predictive of the potential of response to adjuvant hormonal therapy in ER + ve breast cancers and to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC. However, conflicting results do exist due to intrinsic molecular differences between tumors and the scoring method for AR positivity. Applying AR expression status to guide treatment in different breast cancer sub-types has been suggested. In the future, AR will be a feasible biomarker for breast cancer. Clinical trials using AR antagonists in breast cancer are active. Targeting AR alone or other therapeutic agents provides alternatives to existing therapy for breast cancer. Therefore, AR expression will be necessary if AR-targeted treatment is to be used.
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhu M, Liang C, Zhang F, Zhu L, Chen D. A Nomogram to Predict Disease-Free Survival Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:690336. [PMID: 34745934 PMCID: PMC8566908 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.690336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is considered a standard treatment strategy for locally advanced triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC patients who achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) are predicted to have a better prognosis while unfavorable chemo-sensitivity is still associated with a higher risk of disease relapse. The objective of this study was to construct a nomogram to predict disease-free survival (DFS) for TNBC patients following NACT. Methods A total of 165 TNBC patients who underwent standard NACT and surgery were retrospectively reviewed, and data on their clinicopathological factors before and after NACT were collected. Independent prognostic factors for DFS were identified by Cox regression based on lower Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). A nomogram to predict the 2-year and 5-year DFS following NACT for TNBC was constructed based on training cohort (n = 132) and validated by a validation cohort (n = 33). Results Either limited or full pCR (breast-only pCR, node-only pCR, or both-pCR) indicated significantly improved DFS and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). Lager residual tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] 1.175, p = 0.011) and the presence of lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) (HR 3.168, p = 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of disease relapse in the training cohort. Five variables, including age, primary tumor size, histological grade, residual tumor size, and LVI were used to establish the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.815, and calibration curves showed an acceptable consistency between the actual and nomogram-predicted 2-year and 5-year DFS. The proposed nomogram demonstrated superior predictive performance compared with Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) classification and the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer Post Neoadjuvant Therapy Classification (AJCC ypTNM) staging system (area under the curve [AUC] for 2-year DFS: 0.870 vs. 0.758 vs. 0.711, respectively; AUC for 5-year DFS: 0.794 vs. 0.731 vs. 0.702, respectively) in the validation cohort. Conclusions The nomogram proposed in our study enabled to quantify the risk of disease relapse and demonstrated superior predictive performance than a survival predict instrument. It was an easy-to-use tool for clinicians to guide individualized surveillance of TNBC patients following standard NACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meizhen Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenlu Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fanrong Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daobao Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hanamura T, Christenson JL, O'Neill KI, Rosas E, Spoelstra NS, Williams MM, Richer JK. Secreted indicators of androgen receptor activity in breast cancer pre-clinical models. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:102. [PMID: 34736512 PMCID: PMC8567567 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Accumulating evidence has attracted attention to the androgen receptor (AR) as a biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer. We hypothesized that AR activity within the tumor has clinical implications and investigated whether androgen responsive serum factors might serve as a minimally invasive indicator of tumor AR activity. METHODS Based on a comprehensive gene expression analysis of an AR-positive, triple negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, 163 dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-responsive genes were defined as an androgen responsive gene set. Among them, we focused on genes that were DHT-responsive that encode secreted proteins, namely KLK3, AZGP1 and PIP, that encode the secreted factors prostate specific antigen (PSA), zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) and prolactin induced protein (PIP), respectively. Using AR-positive breast cancer cell lines representing all breast cancer subtypes, expression of candidate factors was assessed in response to agonist DHT and antagonist enzalutamide. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on publically available gene expression datasets from breast cancer patients to analyze the relationship between genes encoding the secreted factors and other androgen responsive gene sets in each breast cancer subtype. RESULTS Anti-androgen treatment decreased proliferation in all cell lines tested representing various tumor subtypes. Expression of the secreted factors was regulated by AR activation in the majority of breast cancer cell lines. In GSEA, the candidate genes were positively correlated with an androgen responsive gene set across breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSION KLK3, AZGP1 and PIP are AR regulated and reflect tumor AR activity. Further investigations are needed to examine the potential efficacy of these factors as serum biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toru Hanamura
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jessica L Christenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kathleen I O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Emmanuel Rosas
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michelle M Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Differential Regulation of Lacto-/Neolacto- Glycosphingolipid Biosynthesis Pathway Reveals Transcription Factors as Potential Candidates in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133330. [PMID: 34283051 PMCID: PMC8268693 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133330] [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: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer with limited treatment options. Glycosylation has been implicated in cancer development, but TNBC-specific glycosylation pathways have not been examined. Here, we applied bioinformatic analyses on public datasets to discover TNBC-specific glycogenes and pathways, as well as their upstream regulatory mechanisms. Unsupervised clustering of 345 glycogene expressions in breast cancer datasets revealed a relative homogenous expression pattern in basal-like TNBC subtype. Differential expression analyses of the 345 glycogenes between basal-like TNBC (hereafter termed TNBC) and other BC subtypes, or normal controls, revealed 84 differential glycogenes in TNBC. Pathway enrichment showed two common TNBC-enriched pathways across all three datasets, cell cycle and lacto-/neolacto- glycosphingolipid (GSL) biosynthesis, while a total of four glycosylation-related pathways were significantly enriched in TNBC. We applied a selection criterion of the top 50% differential anabolic/catabolic glycogenes in the enriched pathways to define 34 TNBC-specific glycogenes. The lacto-/neolacto- GSL biosynthesis pathway was the most highly enriched, with seven glycogenes all up-regulated in TNBC. This data led us to investigate the hypothesis that a common upstream mechanism in TNBC up-regulates the lacto-/neolacto-GSL biosynthesis pathway. Using public multi-omic datasets, we excluded the involvement of copy-number alteration and DNA methylation, but identified three transcription factors (AR, GATA3 and ZNG622) that each target three candidate genes in the lacto-/neolacto- GSL biosynthesis pathway. Interestingly, a subset of TNBC has been reported to express AR and GATA3, and AR antagonists are being trialed for TNBC. Our findings suggest that AR and GATA3 may contribute to TNBC via GSL regulation, and provide a list of candidate glycogenes for further investigation.
Collapse
|
15
|
Jahan N, Jones C, Rahman RL. Androgen receptor expression in breast cancer: Implications on prognosis and treatment, a brief review. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 531:111324. [PMID: 34000352 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 70%-85% of breast cancers express androgen receptors (ARs). The role of AR in breast cancer pathogenesis is currently in exploration. Both androgens and anti-androgens have demonstrated variable inhibitory and stimulatory effects in AR-positive breast cancer depending on estrogen receptor and HER2 co-expression. Androgen signaling pathways interact with other critical cellular pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MAPK/ERK, Wnt/β-catenin, and estrogen signaling pathways. Therapeutic exploitation of AR has been the crux of management of prostate cancer for decades. In recent years there has been increasing interest in AR as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer. There have been many early phase clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of various AR-targeted agents in breast cancer. Some of these studies have shown promising clinical benefits. Studies of biomarkers to identify the patients likely to benefit from AR-targeted therapies are currently in progress. Besides, AR expression may be an important prognostic and predictive marker for breast cancer, which needs to be defined better in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Jahan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) St, Lubbock, Tx, 79430, USA.
| | - Catherine Jones
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) St, Lubbock, Tx, 79430, USA
| | - Rakhshanda Layeequr Rahman
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th)St, Lubbock, Tx, 79430, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Brumec M, Sobočan M, Takač I, Arko D. Clinical Implications of Androgen-Positive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1642. [PMID: 33915941 PMCID: PMC8037213 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the recent findings of a vast array of studies conducted on androgen receptor-positive triple-negative breast cancer (AR-positive TNBC) to provide a better understanding of this specific breast cancer subgroup. AR expression is correlated with higher age, lower histological grade, lower proliferation index Ki-67, spiculated masses, and calcifications on mammography. Studies investigating the correlation between AR expression and lymph node metastasis are highly discordant. In addition, results regarding prognosis are highly contradictory. AR antagonists are a promising novel therapeutic approach in AR-positive TNBC. However, AR signaling pathways should be more investigated in order to understand the influence of AR expression on TNBC more thoroughly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maša Brumec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (D.A.)
| | - Monika Sobočan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (D.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Divison of Gynecology and Perinatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Takač
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (D.A.)
- Divison of Gynecology and Perinatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Darja Arko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (M.B.); (I.T.); (D.A.)
- Divison of Gynecology and Perinatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
da Silva JL, Rodrigues FR, de Mesquita GG, Fernandes PV, Thuler LCS, de Melo AC. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Assessing the Role of Immunohistochemical Biomarkers on Neoadjuvant Treatment. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2021; 13:31-44. [PMID: 33469357 PMCID: PMC7810824 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s287320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the influence of immunohistochemical (IHC) biomarkers in the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and survival outcomes in the subset of locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), androgen receptor (AR), cytokeratins (CK5/6, CK14 and CK17), Ki67 and p53 immunohistochemistry were evaluated on 171 cases of TNBC submitted to NACT and subsequently to surgery. Intensity and percentage of the expression of these biomarkers were combined to formulate a specific score, that was correlated with prognostic features and assessed for survival outcomes. RESULTS Most patients had advanced clinical-stage tumors (stage III: 83.6%; cT3/T4: 85.9%; cN1-3: 71.3%). The predominant histological subtype was high-grade (67.3%) and invasive ductal carcinoma (93.6%). The residual cancer burden (RCB) 0-1 corresponded to 28.7% of cases and low-risk lymph node ratio (LNR) represented 77.2%. High Ki67 expression only showed a significant correlation with grade 3 tumors (p = 0.0157). CK5/6 was observed in 16% (27/169), CK14 was positive in 10.1% (17/169), CK17 in 91.1% (153/168), p53 in 52.6% (70/133), EGFR in 92.9% (157/169 cases), AR in 13% (22/169) and Ki67 index was scored ≥40% in 57.9% (95/165). No IHC biomarker significantly impacted response or survival. Regarding the analysis of the outcomes of event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS), clinical stage (p = 0.014 and p = 0.042, respectively), RCB (p < 0.0001 and p <0.0001, respectively) and LNR (p <0.0001 and p <0.0001, respectively) showed significant association. CONCLUSION No IHC biomarker evaluated showed a significant association with a response or survival outcomes in TNBC patients. Clinical stage, LNR and RCB stood out for strongly influencing survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Lopes da Silva
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andreia Cristina de Melo
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Losurdo A, De Sanctis R, Fernandes B, Torrisi R, Masci G, Agostinetto E, Gatzemeier W, Errico V, Testori A, Tinterri C, Roncalli M, Santoro A. Insights for the application of TILs and AR in the treatment of TNBC in routine clinical practice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20100. [PMID: 33208857 PMCID: PMC7674426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77043-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), usually presenting with a very aggressive phenotype, is a heterogeneous entity. We aim to discuss new biomarkers, suitable for prognostic and predictive purposes. We retrospectively collected clinical variables and immunohistochemical characteristics of early TNBCs, specifically focusing on the prognostic and predictive significance of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and androgen receptor (AR) expression, assessing their correlation with clinical variables. Among 159 patients, TILs were significantly higher in younger patients and with lower BMI, and in tumors with higher ki-67 and greater nodal involvement; conversely, AR was significantly higher in older patients and in tumors with lower ki-67. Interestingly and in line with literature, both TILs level and ARs expression were lower within metastatic sites, in patients who developed distant metastases, compared to those found in the primary site. Small (pT1) and node negative tumors were highly represented and no correlation of either TILs or AR with prognosis could be observed. Our findings support the use of stromal TILs to identify a more aggressive, but chemo-sensitive phenotype, mostly represented in younger women, while AR may identify a less aggressive, slow-growing luminal TNBC subtype, more common among older patients. TILs and AR are worth implementing in routine clinical practice to refine prognosis even if, in our case series, we couldn't identify a significant correlation of the two variables with either disease-free and overall survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Losurdo
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Rita De Sanctis
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Bethania Fernandes
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosalba Torrisi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masci
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Agostinetto
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Gatzemeier
- Department of Breast Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Errico
- Department of Breast Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Testori
- Department of Breast Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Corrado Tinterri
- Department of Breast Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Roncalli
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhu M, Yu Y, Shao X, Zhu L, Wang L. Predictors of Response and Survival Outcomes of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy 2020; 65:101-109. [PMID: 32894832 DOI: 10.1159/000509638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), pre-treatment predictors for pathological complete response (pCR) have been reported; however, those for progressive disease (PD) remain unidentified. METHODS We investigated pre-treatment clinicopathological predictors associated with pCR and PD by retrospectively reviewing data for 165 patients treated between 2015 and 2018. Patients with pCR and PD were compared to those without pCR and PD, respectively, using logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS Lack of androgen receptor (AR) was an independent predictor of pCR, while high histological grade, low Ki-67 index, and incomplete NACT courses were independent predictors of PD. Mean disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly poorer in PD patients than in pCR patients (15.7, 21.3 vs. 52.4, 56.3 months). CONCLUSIONS Insights into the chemo-resistance mechanisms and exploration of novel targeted agents in subgroups as per AR and Ki-67 status are needed to improve survival outcomes in TNBC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meizhen Zhu
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiying Shao
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pathology of triple negative breast cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 72:136-145. [PMID: 32544511 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast tumor lacking hormone receptors expression and HER2 gene amplification and represents 24 % of newly diagnosed breast neoplasms. In this review, pathological aspects of triple-negative breast cancer are illustrated, with particular attention to the seminal studies that defined this subtype of breast cancer by a molecular point of view. This paper also focuses on practical issues raised in clinical routine by the introduction of genetic expression breast cancer profiling and the innovative prognostic and predictive impact on triple-negative breast cancer pathology. Moreover, histopathological aspects of triple-negative neoplasms are also mentioned, underlying the importance of histologic diagnosis of particular cancer subtypes with decisive impact on clinical outcome. Importantly, focus on new therapeutic frontier represented by immunotherapy is illustrated, with particular mention of immune checkpoint inhibitors introduction in TNBC therapy and their impact on future treatments.
Collapse
|
21
|
Predicting therapeutic efficacy of endocrine therapy for stage IV breast cancer by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Mol Clin Oncol 2020; 13:195-202. [PMID: 32714546 PMCID: PMC7366244 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2020.2063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune environment not only modulates the effects of immunotherapy, but also the effects of other anticancer drugs and treatment outcomes. These immune responses may be evaluated by measuring tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which has been frequently verified clinically. In the present study, the prediction of the therapeutic effect of endocrine therapy by TILs on stage IV breast cancer was clinically analyzed. Data from 40 patients who underwent endocrine therapy as the initial drug therapy for stage IV breast cancer were used. The correlation between TILs, evaluated according to standard methods, and prognosis, including the efficacy of endocrine therapy, was investigated retrospectively. Patients with ≥50% lymphocytic infiltration were considered to have lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC). An analysis of outcomes revealed no difference in progression-free survival (PFS; P=0.171), time to treatment failure (TTF; P=0.054), or overall survival (OS; P=0.641) between the high TIL (>10%) and low TIL (≤10%) groups. Patients with LPBC (≥50%) exhibited a significant prolongation of PFS (P=0.005, log-rank), TTF (P=0.001) and OS (P=0.027) compared with non-LPBC patients. On receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, better results were obtained with LPBCs [area under the curve (AUC)=0.700] than with TILs (AUC=0.606). The present findings suggest that a high level of lymphocytic infiltration in the tumor stroma may serve as a predictor of the therapeutic efficacy of endocrine therapy in patients with stage IV estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
Collapse
|
22
|
Hadgu E, Seifu D, Tigneh W, Bokretsion Y, Bekele A, Abebe M, Sollie T, Karlsson C, Karlsson MG. Distribution and characteristics of androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232519. [PMID: 32374753 PMCID: PMC7202607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of the role of androgen receptor (AR) in the biology of breast cancer is an emerging area of research. There are compelling evidences that AR expression may be used to further refine breast cancer molecular subtyping with prognostic and therapeutic implications. Many studies indicated co-expression of AR with the hormonal receptors in breast cancer has a favorable prognosis. AR is also investigated by many researchers as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of breast cancer. Studies on the frequency and distribution of AR in breast cancer among Africans is barely available. Given the heightened interest to understand its role in breast cancer, we determined AR expression and assessed its association with clinicopathological parameters among Ethiopian women. In this study, 112 newly diagnosed patient with invasive breast cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital were enrolled. Immunohistochemical assessment of AR, ER, PR, Ki67 and HER2 were performed using tissue microarrays (TMA) constructed from their primary tumor block. Out of the 112 participants, 91 (81%) were positive for AR expression and the remaining 21 participants (19%) were negative for AR expression. Expression of AR in ER+, HER2+ and TNBC cases were 93%, 83% and 48% respectively. Our study reveals AR is expressed in a significant number of breast cancers patients and this may indicate that breast cancers cases in Ethiopia have favorable prognosis and could benefit from progresses in AR targeted treatments. Since AR expression has important consequences on the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer, further studies with an increased number of participants is necessary to confirm our reports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Endale Hadgu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Seifu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wondemagegnhu Tigneh
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Bokretsion
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Bekele
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Markos Abebe
- Armauer Hansen research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Thomas Sollie
- School of Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Influence of Androgen Receptor on the Prognosis of Breast Cancer. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9041083. [PMID: 32290220 PMCID: PMC7230528 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the prognostic influence of androgen receptor (AR) on breast cancer. AR status was assessed using immunohistochemistry with tissue microarrays from 395 operable primary breast cancer patients who received curative surgery. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was used to analyze the survival rates and a log-rank test was used to determine the significance of the differences in survival. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of survival. There were 203 (51.4%) subjects with a low expression of AR, and 192 patients (48.6%) with a high expression rate. The high AR expression group showed superior overall survival (p = 0.047) and disease-free survival (p = 0.004) when compared with the low AR expression group. The high AR expression group showed superior systemic recurrence-free survival when compared with the low AR expression group (p = 0.027). AR was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (HR, 0.586; 95% CI, 0.381–0.901; p = 0.015) and disease-free survival (HR, 0.430; 95% CI, 0.274–0.674; p < 0.001). A high AR expression was a significant favorable prognostic factor only in the subgroups with positive hormone receptors (HRc) and negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) when considering disease-free survival (p = 0.026). The high AR expression group was significantly associated with superior overall survival and disease-free survival when compared with the low AR expression group with breast cancer patients. AR was a significant independent prognostic factor for both overall survival and disease-free survival. The prognostic impact of AR was valid in the HRc(+)/HER2(−) subtype when considering disease-free survival. These findings suggest the clinical usefulness of AR as a prognostic marker of breast cancer in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
24
|
Vagia E, Mahalingam D, Cristofanilli M. The Landscape of Targeted Therapies in TNBC. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E916. [PMID: 32276534 PMCID: PMC7226210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) constitutes the most aggressive molecular subtype among breast tumors. Despite progress on the underlying tumor biology, clinical outcomes for TNBC unfortunately remain poor. The median overall survival for patients with metastatic TNBC is approximately eighteen months. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment while there is a growing body of evidence that targeted therapies may be on the horizon with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and immune check-point inhibitors already established in the treatment paradigm of TNBC. A large number of novel therapeutic agents are being evaluated for their efficacy in TNBC. As novel therapeutics are now incorporated into clinical practice, it is clear that tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution can result to de novo or acquired treatment resistance. As precision medicine and next generation sequencing is part of cancer diagnostics, tailored treatment approaches based on the expression of molecular markers are currently being implemented in clinical practice and clinical trial design. The scope of this review is to highlight the most relevant current knowledge regarding underlying molecular profile of TNBC and its potential application in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Vagia
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (D.M.); (M.C.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Grellety T. [Androgen receptor-positive triple negative breast cancer: From biology to therapy]. Bull Cancer 2020; 107:506-516. [PMID: 32145961 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A subgroup of androgen receptor-expressing tumors represents approximately 30 % of all triple negative tumors. The androgen receptor and its signaling pathways have a central biological role in this tumor entity. These triple negative androgen receptor-positive tumors occur in older patients and do not appear to have a better prognosis compared to other triple negative tumors. In addition to androgen receptor-expression, these tumors are genomically characterized by a high frequency of PIK3CA activating mutation. Three clinical trials reported efficacy data for anti-androgens (bicalutamide, abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide) based on strong preclinical rationale. These trials report clinical benefit rates in about one in five patients. These encouraging but still limited results make a case for the identification of predictive response factors and therapeutic combinations to improve response rates. This review will provide an update on the biological and clinical knowledge of this tumoral subgroup that opens the way to non-cytotoxic anti-androgen therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grellety
- Centre hospitalier de la Côte Basque, service d'oncologie médicale, 13, avenue de l'Interne Jacques-Loeb, 64100 Bayonne, France; Institut Bergonié, département d'oncologie médicale, 229, cours de l'Argonne, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mohammed AA, Elsayed FM, Algazar M, Rashed HE, Anter AH. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Correlation between Androgen Receptor Expression and Pathological Response. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2020; 21:563-568. [PMID: 32102539 PMCID: PMC7332128 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.2.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is growing evidence that the response to chemotherapy may be affected by Androgen Receptor (AR) expression suggesting that triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) AR+ and quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC) subtypes may have different diseases behavior. Methodology: We retrospectively estimated the predictive value of the AR expression in stage II and stage III TNBC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and correlated with the rate of pathological response (pCR). Results: Of 89 TNBC patients, 29 patients (32.6%) were TNBC AR+ and 60 patients (67.4) were QNBC. Most of the patients were less than 60 years old. Of note, approximately 62% in the QNBC group were less than 40 years old compared with 39 % in the TNBC AR+ group. The Ki-67 expression was higher in the QNBC in comparison with TNBC AR+ being 86.7% and 65.5%, respectively. QNBC subgroup showed higher rates of pCR compared with TNBC; 60% and 24%, respectively. Higher Ki-67 expression, higher grade, and lymph node involvement were statistically significantly correlated with the rate of pCR in the QNBC group (p=0.02, p=0.04, and p=0.03, respectively). In contrast, no significant association was observed between pCR and clinical-pathological features in the TNBC AR+ group. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the AR expression in TNBC may be applied as a predictive marker for NAC. TNBC AR+ had a lower rate of pCR compared with QNBC, suggesting that this subtype may have a partial chemoresistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrallah A Mohammed
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.,Oncology Center, King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fifi Mostafa Elsayed
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Algazar
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Hayam E Rashed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Abeer Hussien Anter
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Mansoura University Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
da Silva JL, Cardoso Nunes NC, Izetti P, de Mesquita GG, de Melo AC. Triple negative breast cancer: A thorough review of biomarkers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 145:102855. [PMID: 31927455 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.102855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as a type of breast cancer with lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 protein. The tumorigenesis is not likely to be driven by hormonal or HER2 pathway. In comparison to other types of breast cancer, TNBC stands out for its aggressive behavior, more prone to early recurrence. Historically, TNBC has been considered a disease with poor response to molecular target therapy, requiring better validation of biomarkers. Recent issues related to tumor heterogeneity have been widely discussed suggesting the subdivision of TNBC into different molecular subtypes. Through a complete research on the main published trials databases and platforms of ongoing clinical studies, the current manuscript was carried out in order to present a critical view of the role of immunohistochemical and molecular biomarkers for the prognosis and response prediction of TNBC to traditional therapy and new molecular target agents.
Collapse
|
28
|
Vidula N, Yau C, Wolf D, Rugo HS. Androgen receptor gene expression in primary breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2019; 5:47. [PMID: 31840050 PMCID: PMC6904475 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0142-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied androgen receptor (AR) gene expression in primary breast cancer (BC) to determine associations with clinical characteristics and outcomes in the I-SPY 1 study. AR was evaluated in I-SPY 1 (n = 149) using expression microarrays. Associations of AR with clinical and tumor features were determined using the Wilcoxon rank sum test (two-level factors) or the Kruskal-Wallis test (multi-level factors). We identified an optimal AR cut-point to maximize recurrence-free survival (RFS) differences between AR biomarker stratified groups, and assessed the association between the AR stratified groups and RFS using the Cox proportional hazard model. Pearson correlations between AR and selected genes were determined in I-SPY 1, METABRIC (n = 1992), and TCGA (n = 817). AR was lower in triple negative BC vs. hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2- and HER2+ disease (p < 0.00001), and lower in basal-like BC (p < 0.00001). AR was higher in grade I/II vs. III tumors (p < 0.00001), in patients >age 50 (p = 0.05), and in node negative disease (p = 0.006). Higher AR was associated with better RFS (p = 0.0007), which remained significant after receptor subtype adjustment (p = 0.01). AR correlated with expression of luminal, HER2, and steroid hormone genes. AR expression was related to clinicopathologic features, intrinsic subtype, and correlated with improved outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neelima Vidula
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Christina Yau
- University of California San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 USA
| | - Denise Wolf
- University of California San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 USA
| | - Hope S. Rugo
- University of California San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Anti-tumor activity of BET inhibitors in androgen-receptor-expressing triple-negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13305. [PMID: 31527644 PMCID: PMC6746817 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49366-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease comprising several subtypes. Androgen-receptor (AR) signaling has been targeted by several investigational agents in luminal AR subtype TNBCs. Bromodomain (BRD) and extra-terminal motif (BET) protein inhibitors have been shown to attenuate AR signaling in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and to overcome enzalutamide resistance. We demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects of the BET inhibitor JQ1 against AR-positive TNBC cell lines using cell viability and cell cycle analysis. To reveal the mechanisms of JQ1 effects, multiplex gene expression analysis and immunoblotting assays were used. We examined in vivo effects of JQ1 in a xenograft model of AR expressing TNBC. JQ1 exhibited its anti-proliferative activity by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. JQ1 activity was not mediated by MYC downregulation. Instead, JQ1 blocked the interactions among the ATPase-family AAA-domain-containing 2 protein (ATAD2), BRD2, BRD4, and AR; effectively suppressing the expression of AR associated targets. In addition, JQ1 showed significant anti-tumor activity in vivo in TNBC xenograft mouse models as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-AR therapy. Taken together, our results showed that the BET inhibitor JQ1 is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of AR-positive TNBC.
Collapse
|
30
|
Shi Y, Yang F, Huang D, Guan X. Androgen blockade based clinical trials landscape in triple negative breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1870:283-290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
31
|
Significance of re-biopsy for recurrent breast cancer in the immune tumour microenvironment. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:572-579. [PMID: 30033444 PMCID: PMC6162217 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune responses in a tumour microenvironment can be evaluated by
analysing tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density; this has been verified in
the clinical setting. Although there are many reports on TIL density in primary
tumours, little is known about its density in recurrent tumours. Methods Of 300 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy during the
study period, 29 were considered for evaluation of TIL density in primary and
recurrent tumours. We performed a retrospective analysis of the association
between TIL density and prognosis. Results TIL density was significantly lower in recurrent tumours than in
primary tumours (P = 0.007). There was no
correlation between post-recurrence survival and TIL density in core-needle biopsy
specimens obtained from primary tumours (P = 0.837). However, patients with high TIL density in recurrent
tumours had significantly better post-recurrence survival than did the
corresponding group with low TIL density (P = 0.041). Multivariate analysis revealed that high TIL density
contributed significantly towards improving post-recurrence survival in all
patients (P = 0.035; hazard ratio,
0.167). Conclusions In recurrent breast cancer, a decrease in TILs density was observed
as compared to the primary tumour, and this affects the poor prognosis after
relapse.
Collapse
|
32
|
Braga DL, Mota STS, Zóia MAP, Lima PMAP, Orsolin PC, Vecchi L, Nepomuceno JC, Fürstenau CR, Maia YCP, Goulart LR, Araújo TG. Ethanolic Extracts from Azadirachta indica Leaves Modulate Transcriptional Levels of Hormone Receptor Variant in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071879. [PMID: 29949923 PMCID: PMC6073126 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast Cancer (BC) encompasses numerous entities with different biological and behavioral characteristics, favored by tumor molecular complexity. Azadirachta indica (neem) presents phenolic compounds, indicating its potential as an antineoplastic compound. The present study aimed to evaluate the cellular response of MCF10, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231 breast cell lines to ethanolic extracts of neem leaves (EENL) obtained by dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) solvent. Extracts’ antiproliferative activities were evaluated against MCF 10A, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231 for 24 and 48 h using MTT assay. ESR1, ESR2, AR, AR-V1, AR-V4, and AR-V7 transcripts were quantified through qPCR for 0.03125 μg/mL of DCM and 1.0 μg/mL for EA for 48 h. The EENL was tested on Drosophila melanogaster as a sole treatment and then also together with doxorubicin. Antiproliferative effect on tumor cell lines without affecting MCF 10A were 1.0 µg/mL (P < 0.001) for EA, and 0.03125 µg/mL (P < 0.0001) for DCM, both after 48 h. Transcriptional levels of AR-V7 increased after treatment. In vivo assays demonstrated that EENL induced fewer tumors at a higher concentration with doxorubicin (DXR). The behavior of AR-V7 in the MDA-MB-231 tumor lineage indicates new pathways involved in tumor biology and this may have therapeutic value for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deisi L Braga
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38700-128, Brazil.
| | - Sara T S Mota
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38700-128, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Mariana A P Zóia
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Paula M A P Lima
- Laboratory of Cytogenetic and Mutagenesis, University Center of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas-MG 38700-207, Brazil.
| | - Priscila C Orsolin
- Laboratory of Cytogenetic and Mutagenesis, University Center of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas-MG 38700-207, Brazil.
| | - Lara Vecchi
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Júlio C Nepomuceno
- Laboratory of Cytogenetic and Mutagenesis, University Center of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas-MG 38700-207, Brazil.
| | - Cristina R Fürstenau
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Culture, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38700-128, Brazil.
| | - Yara C P Maia
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
- University of California Davis, Dept. of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Thaise G Araújo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38700-128, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia-MG 38400-902, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Androgen receptor in triple negative breast cancer: A potential target for the targetless subtype. Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 68:102-110. [PMID: 29940524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the 15-20% of all breast cancers (BC) and is characterized by a very aggressive behavior. Recent data suggest that TNBC is not a single disease, but it is rather an umbrella for different ontology-profiles such as basal like 1 and 2, mesenchymal, and the luminal androgen receptor (LAR). The LAR subtype is characterized by the expression of the Androgen Receptor (AR) and its downstream effects. Notwithstanding the role of the AR in several signaling pathways, its impact on a biological and clinical standpoint is still controversial. The LAR subtype has been associated with better prognosis, less chemotherapy responsiveness and lower pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant treatment. Clinical evidence suggests a role for anti-androgen therapies such as bicalutamide, enzalutamide and abiraterone, offering an interesting chemo-free alternative for chemo-unresponsive patients, and therefore potentially shifting current treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ricciardelli C, Bianco-Miotto T, Jindal S, Butler LM, Leung S, McNeil CM, O'Toole SA, Ebrahimie E, Millar EKA, Sakko AJ, Ruiz AI, Vowler SL, Huntsman DG, Birrell SN, Sutherland RL, Palmieri C, Hickey TE, Tilley WD. The Magnitude of Androgen Receptor Positivity in Breast Cancer Is Critical for Reliable Prediction of Disease Outcome. Clin Cancer Res 2018. [PMID: 29514843 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Consensus is lacking regarding the androgen receptor (AR) as a prognostic marker in breast cancer. The objectives of this study were to comprehensively review the literature on AR prognostication and determine optimal criteria for AR as an independent predictor of breast cancer survival.Experimental Design: AR positivity was assessed by immunostaining in two clinically validated primary breast cancer cohorts [training cohort, n = 219; validation cohort, n = 418; 77% and 79% estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positive, respectively]. The optimal AR cut-point was determined by ROC analysis in the training cohort and applied to both cohorts.Results: AR was an independent prognostic marker of breast cancer outcome in 22 of 46 (48%) previous studies that performed multivariate analyses. Most studies used cut-points of 1% or 10% nuclear positivity. Herein, neither 1% nor 10% cut-points were robustly prognostic. ROC analysis revealed that a higher AR cut-point (78% positivity) provided optimal sensitivity and specificity to predict breast cancer survival in the training (HR, 0.41; P = 0.015) and validation (HR, 0.50; P = 0.014) cohorts. Tenfold cross-validation confirmed the robustness of this AR cut-point. Patients with ERα-positive tumors and AR positivity ≥78% had the best survival in both cohorts (P < 0.0001). Among the combined ERα-positive cases, those with comparable or higher levels of AR (AR:ERα-positivity ratio >0.87) had the best outcomes (P < 0.0001).Conclusions: This study defines an optimal AR cut-point to reliably predict breast cancer survival. Testing this cut-point in prospective cohorts is warranted for implementation of AR as a prognostic factor in the clinical management of breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2328-41. ©2018 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Ricciardelli
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tina Bianco-Miotto
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Shalini Jindal
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lisa M Butler
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Samuel Leung
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catriona M McNeil
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandra A O'Toole
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ewan K A Millar
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Sakko
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alexandra I Ruiz
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah L Vowler
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephen N Birrell
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert L Sutherland
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carlo Palmieri
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Academic Department of Medical Oncology, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, United Kingdom
| | - Theresa E Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Echavarria I, López-Tarruella S, Picornell A, García-Saenz JÁ, Jerez Y, Hoadley K, Gómez HL, Moreno F, Monte-Millan MD, Márquez-Rodas I, Alvarez E, Ramos-Medina R, Gayarre J, Massarrah T, Ocaña I, Cebollero M, Fuentes H, Barnadas A, Ballesteros AI, Bohn U, Perou CM, Martin M. Pathological Response in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cohort Treated with Neoadjuvant Carboplatin and Docetaxel According to Lehmann's Refined Classification. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:1845-1852. [PMID: 29378733 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) requires the iden- tification of reliable predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). For this purpose, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the TNBCtype-4 classifier in a cohort of patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant carboplatin and docetaxel (TCb).Methods: Patients with TNBC were accrued in a nonrandomized trial of neoadjuvant carboplatin AUC 6 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 for six cycles. Response was evaluated in terms of pathologic complete response (pCR, ypT0/is ypN0) and residual cancer burden by Symmans and colleagues. Lehmann's subtyping was performed using the TNBCtype online tool from RNAseq data, and germline sequencing of a panel of seven DNA damage repair genes was conducted.Results: Ninety-four out of the 121 patients enrolled in the trial had RNAseq available. The overall pCR rate was 44.7%. Lehmann subtype distribution was 34.0% BL1, 20.2% BL2, 23.4% M, 14.9% LAR, and 7.4% were classified as ER+. Response to NACT with TCb was significantly associated with Lehmann subtype (P = 0.027), even in multivariate analysis including tumor size and nodal involvement, with BL1 patients achieving the highest pCR rate (65.6%), followed by BL2 (47.4%), M (36.4%), and LAR (21.4%). BL1 was associated with a significant younger age at diagnosis and higher ki67 values. Among our 10 germline mutation carriers, 30% were BL1, 40% were BL2, and 30% were M.Conclusions: TNBCtype-4 is associated with significantly different pCR rates for the different subtypes, with BL1 and LAR displaying the best and worse responses to NACT, respectively. Clin Cancer Res; 24(8); 1845-52. ©2018 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Echavarria
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sara López-Tarruella
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Picornell
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Yolanda Jerez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Katherine Hoadley
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Henry L Gómez
- Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas - INEN, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | - Iván Márquez-Rodas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Ramos-Medina
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Gayarre
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tatiana Massarrah
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ocaña
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), CiberOnc, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Cebollero
- Department of Pathology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hugo Fuentes
- Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas - INEN, Lima, Peru
| | - Agusti Barnadas
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Uriel Bohn
- Medical Oncology, Hospital de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrin, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Charles M Perou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Miguel Martin
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM), Universidad Complutense, CiberOnc, GEICAM, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Asano Y, Kashiwagi S, Goto W, Takada K, Takahashi K, Hatano T, Noda S, Takashima T, Onoda N, Tomita S, Motomura H, Ohsawa M, Hirakawa K, Ohira M. Prediction of survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer by evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and residual cancer burden. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:888. [PMID: 29282021 PMCID: PMC5745786 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3927-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor immune environment not only modulates the effects of immunotherapy, but also the effects of other anticancer drugs and treatment outcomes. These immune responses can be evaluated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which has frequently been verified clinically. On the other hand, residual cancer burden (RCB) evaluation has been shown to be a useful predictor of survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). In this study, RCB and TILs evaluations were combined to produce an indicator that we have termed “RCB-TILs”, and its clinical application to NAC for breast cancer was verified by subtype-stratified analysis. Methods A total of 177 patients with breast cancer were treated with NAC. The correlation between RCB and TILs evaluated according to the standard method, and prognosis, including the efficacy of NAC, was investigated retrospectively. The RCB and TILs evaluations were combined to create the “RCB-TILs”. Patients who were RCB-positive and had high TILs were considered RCB-TILs-positive, and all other combinations were RCB-TILs-negative. Results On multivariable analysis, being RCB-TILs-positive was an independent factor for recurrence after NAC in all patients (p < 0.001, hazard ratio = 0.048), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (p = 0.018, hazard ratio = 0.041), HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2BC) patients (p = 0.036, hazard ratio = 0.134), and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HRBC) patients (p = 0.002, hazard ratio = 0.081). Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that RCB-TILs is a significant predictor for breast cancer recurrence after NAC and may be a more sensitive indicator than TILs alone. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s12885-017-3927-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Asano
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | | | - Wataru Goto
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Koji Takada
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | | | - Takaharu Hatano
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Satoru Noda
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takashima
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Naoyoshi Onoda
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Shuhei Tomita
- Department of Pharmacology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Hisashi Motomura
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ohsawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kosei Hirakawa
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kobayashi H, Okuma T, Oka H, Hirai T, Ohki T, Ikegami M, Sawada R, Shinoda Y, Akiyama T, Sato K, Abe S, Kawano H, Goto T, Tanaka S. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio after pazopanib treatment predicts response in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma. Int J Clin Oncol 2017; 23:368-374. [PMID: 29086877 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-017-1199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pazopanib is a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is used to treat advanced soft-tissue sarcoma, and its efficacy has been confirmed in several clinical trials, although no clinically useful biomarkers have been identified. In other cancers, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) are associated with chemotherapy response and prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the associations of pazopanib response with NLR, PLR, and LMR among patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma. METHODS Data regarding NLR, PLR, and LMR were obtained for 25 patients who received pazopanib for soft-tissue sarcoma. The patients were categorized according to their values for NLR (≥3.8 vs. <3.8), PLR (≥230 vs. <230), and LMR (≥2.4 vs. <2.4), and we evaluated the associations of these markers with progression-free survival and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional models. RESULTS No significant differences in progression-free survival or overall survival were observed based on the pre-treatment NLR, PLR, and LMR values. However, decreased NLR values after treatment using pazopanib were independently associated with significantly prolonged progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.07, p = 0.001) and overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.17, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS Decreased NLR values after treatment using pazopanib may predict high efficacy and favorable outcomes among patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Tomotake Okuma
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Oka
- Department of Medical Research and Management for Musculoskeletal Pain, 22nd Century Medical and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Toshihide Hirai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ohki
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan
| | - Masachika Ikegami
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ryoko Sawada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shinoda
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Toru Akiyama
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, 1-847 Amanuma, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 330-8503, Japan
| | - Kenji Sato
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Teikyo, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8606, Japan
| | - Satoshi Abe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Teikyo, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8606, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kawano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Teikyo, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8606, Japan
| | - Takahiro Goto
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan
| | - Sakae Tanaka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Mina A, Yoder R, Sharma P. Targeting the androgen receptor in triple-negative breast cancer: current perspectives. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:4675-4685. [PMID: 29033586 PMCID: PMC5614778 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s126051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype associated with frequent recurrence and metastasis. Unlike hormone receptor-positive subtypes, treatment of TNBC is currently limited by the lack of clinically available targeted therapies. Androgen signaling is necessary for normal breast development, and its dysregulation has been implicated in breast tumorigenesis. In recent years, gene expression studies have identified a subset of TNBC that is enriched for androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Interference with androgen signaling in TNBC is promising, and AR-inhibiting drugs have shown antitumorigenic activity in preclinical and proof of concept clinical studies. Recent advances in our understanding of androgenic signaling in TNBC, along with the identification of interacting pathways, are allowing development of the next generation of clinical trials with AR inhibitors. As novel AR-targeting agents are developed and evaluated in clinical trials, it is equally important to establish a robust set of biomarkers for identification of TNBC tumors that are most likely to respond to AR inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Mina
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood
| | - Rachel Yoder
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Westwood
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Adamo B, Ricciardi GRR, Ieni A, Franchina T, Fazzari C, Sanò MV, Angelico G, Michele C, Tuccari G, Adamo V. The prognostic significance of combined androgen receptor, E-Cadherin, Ki67 and CK5/6 expression in patients with triple negative breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:76974-76986. [PMID: 29100362 PMCID: PMC5652756 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) represents a heterogeneous group of tumors with poor prognosis owing to aggressive tumor biology and lack of targeted therapies. No clear prognostic biomarkers have been identified to date for this subgroup. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study we evaluated the prognostic role of 4 different molecular determinants, including androgen receptor (AR), E-cadherin (CDH1), Ki67 index, and basal cytokeratins (CKs) 5/6, in a cohort of 99 patients with TNBC. All patients received neo/adjuvant chemotherapy (mostly anthracycline/taxane-based). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples. CDH1 expression was considered positive as ≥ 30% of the membrane cells staining. AR positivity was defined as > 10% of positive tumor cells. High Ki67 was defined as ≥20% positive tumor cells. CK5/6 expression was judged positive if the score was ≥1. Results The absence of AR expression was significantly associated with highly undifferentiated tumors. Univariate analyses showed that lack of expression of CDH1, tumor size and nodal status were significantly correlated with worse RFS and OS (p< 0.05). AR expression and low Ki67 showed a trend towards better RFS and OS. Patients with absent CK5/6 expression in univariate and multivariate analyses had poorer RFS (p=0.02 and p=0.002, respectively) and OS (p=0.05 and p=0.02, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between CDH1 expression and better RFS and OS (p< 0.05) beyond tumor size, nodal status, and grade. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with AR and CDH1 negative expression and high Ki-67 levels have a significant correlation with poor outcome. Conclusions Our study supports the use of IHC expression of AR, CDH1, Ki67, and CK5/6 as prognostic markers in TNBCs and suggests a link between their expression and prognosis and may help to stratify TNBC patients in different prognostic classes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Adamo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Ieni
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Evolutive Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino" Messina, Italy
| | - Tindara Franchina
- Medical Oncology Unit A.O. Papardo & Department of Human Pathology University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmine Fazzari
- Pathology Unit, Humanitas Center of Oncology, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Vita Sanò
- Medical Oncology, Humanitas Catania Oncology Center, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Angelico
- G. F. Ingrassia Department, Section of Anatomic Pathology, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy
| | - Caruso Michele
- Medical Oncology, Humanitas Catania Oncology Center, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Evolutive Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino" Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Adamo
- Medical Oncology Unit A.O. Papardo & Department of Human Pathology University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nakashoji A, Matsui A, Nagayama A, Iwata Y, Sasahara M, Murata Y. Clinical predictors of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:4135-4141. [PMID: 28943920 PMCID: PMC5604131 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The response of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to chemotherapy is heterogeneous; particular subtype classifications based on mRNA gene expression analysis have been demonstrated to be associated with a pathological complete response (pCR). The aim of the present study was to investigate additional clinical and pathological characteristics associated with pCR status. The pathological and clinical characteristics of 40 TNBC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery were retrospectively analyzed by dividing the cases into two groups according to the response to treatment: pCR (n=12) and non-pCR (n=28). Clinically, patients in the pCR group presented tumors with a significantly less advanced Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage (P=0.030) and mammographic calcification was less common (17 vs. 58%; P=0.034). Pathologically, whereas all cases in the pCR group (12/12, 100%) were of the histological type ‘invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified’ (IDC-NOS), the non-pCR group consisted of a lower proportion of IDC-NOS cases (20/28, 71%) and more cases of special histological types, including mucinous, metaplastic, medullary and apocrine carcinomas (P=0.079). The positive rates of androgen receptor (AR) and forkhead-box A1 (FOXA1) tended to be lower in the pCR group (AR, 0 vs. 29%, P=0.079; FOXA1, 8 vs. 29%, P=0.233). The Ki-67 score was significantly higher in the pCR group than in the non-pCR group (P=0.041). The results suggest that patients with TNBC who present with clinically less advanced tumors and less frequent mammographic calcification are more likely to respond to chemotherapy. From a pathological standpoint, IDC-NOS type, negative AR status and higher Ki-67 scores may be associated with chemotherapy sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Nakashoji
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| | - Akira Matsui
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| | - Aiko Nagayama
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| | - Yuko Iwata
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| | - Manami Sasahara
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| | - Yuya Murata
- Department of Clinical Examination, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Goto W, Kashiwagi S, Asano Y, Takada K, Takahashi K, Hatano T, Takashima T, Tomita S, Motomura H, Ohsawa M, Hirakawa K, Ohira M. Circulating tumor cell clusters-associated gene plakoglobin is a significant prognostic predictor in patients with breast cancer. Biomark Res 2017; 5:19. [PMID: 28507762 PMCID: PMC5427626 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-017-0099-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are linked to metastatic relapse and are regarded as a prognostic marker for human cancer. High expression of plakoglobin, a cell adhesion protein, within the primary tumor is positively associated with CTC clusters in breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the correlation between plakoglobin expression and survival of breast cancer. METHODS We evaluated 121 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Expression of plakoglobin was identified by immunohistochemical staining in the cell membrane. We also examined the relation between the expression of plakoglobin and E-cadherin, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker. RESULTS Patients with high plakoglobin expression had significantly worse distant-metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (P = 0.016, log rank). Plakoglobin expression had no correlation with pathological complete response rate (P = 0.627). On univariate analysis with respect to distant metastasis, high plakoglobin expression showed worse prognosis than low plakoglobin expression [P = 0.036, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.719]. Multivariate analysis found the same result (P = 0.013, HR = 5.052). In addition, there was a significant relationship between the expression of plakoglobin and E-cadherin (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS Plakoglobin expression is an independent prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer, particularly for DMFS, and this is related to EMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Goto
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Shinichiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Yuka Asano
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Koji Takada
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Takahashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Takaharu Hatano
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takashima
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Shuhei Tomita
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Hisashi Motomura
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Masahiko Ohsawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Kosei Hirakawa
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
AR Signaling in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9030021. [PMID: 28245550 PMCID: PMC5366816 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR, a member of the steroid hormone receptor family) status has become increasingly important as both a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. AR is expressed in up to 90% of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, and to a lesser degree, human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) amplified tumors. In the former, AR signaling has been correlated with a better prognosis given its inhibitory activity in estrogen dependent disease, though conversely has also been shown to increase resistance to anti-estrogen therapies such as tamoxifen. AR blockade can mitigate this resistance, and thus serves as a potential target in ER-positive breast cancer. In HER2 amplified breast cancer, studies are somewhat conflicting, though most show either no effect or are associated with poorer survival. Much of the available data on AR signaling is in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is an aggressive disease with inferior outcomes comparative to other breast cancer subtypes. At present, there are no approved targeted therapies in TNBC, making study of the AR signaling pathway compelling. Gene expression profiling studies have also identified a luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype that is dependent on AR signaling in TNBC. Regardless, there seems to be an association between AR expression and improved outcomes in TNBC. Despite lower pathologic complete response (pCR) rates with neoadjuvant therapy, patients with AR-expressing TNBC have been shown to have a better prognosis than those that are AR-negative. Clinical studies targeting AR have shown somewhat promising results. In this paper we review the literature on the biology of AR in breast cancer and its prognostic and predictive roles. We also present our thoughts on therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
43
|
Héquet D, Mzoughi S, Rouzier R, Guccione E. [Androgen receptors in breast cancer: Expression, value and therapeutic prospects]. Bull Cancer 2017; 104:363-369. [PMID: 28216075 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative (TN) breast cancer are characterized by lack of estrogen receptor (OR) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression, and the absence of overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It is a heterogeneous group of tumors with a more pejorative prognosis than other subtypes of breast cancer. Androgen receptors (AR) are nuclear receptors whose expression varies from 80 to 85% of primary breast cancers and 60 to 75% of metastatic cancers. Among the TN breast cancers, the luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype expresses AR more frequently, up to 53% of the cases. AR are associated with lower tumor size, histological grade, Ki67, and lymph node involvement. The results of recent clinical trials evaluating anti-androgen therapies in locally advanced or metastatic TN breast cancer are promising. Many new therapies are tested, including enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate, and numerous therapeutic combinations including PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors or CDK inhibitors. These therapies would allow an alternative treatment of patients with TN breast cancer for which there is often a therapeutic impasse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Héquet
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673 Singapour, Singapour; Centre René-Huguenin, institut Curie, département de chirurgie oncologique, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France.
| | - Slim Mzoughi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673 Singapour, Singapour
| | - Roman Rouzier
- Centre René-Huguenin, institut Curie, département de chirurgie oncologique, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France; Université Versailles-St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, EA 7285 : risques cliniques et sécurité en santé des femmes et en santé périnatale, 2, rue de la Source-de-la-Bièvre, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673 Singapour, Singapour
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Expression and Clinical Significance of Androgen Receptor in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9010004. [PMID: 28067809 PMCID: PMC5295775 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis because of frequent recurrence. Androgen receptor (AR) is involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, but its role is not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to explore the expression of AR and its relationship with clinicopathologic features in TNBC. METHODS This study investigated 1036 cases of sporadic invasive breast carcinoma. Immunohistochemical assays were performed to determine the expression of AR in 190 TNBC samples. The relationships between AR expression and clinicopathologic data and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS In 190 TNBC cases, the prognosis of AR-positive patients was significantly better (p = 0.019, log-rank) than AR-negative patients, and in multivariate analysis, AR expression was an independent indicator of good prognosis (p = 0.039, hazard ratio = 0.36). In patients with disease relapse, AR positivity was significantly correlated with better prognosis (p = 0.034, log-rank). CONCLUSIONS AR expression may be useful as a subclassification marker for prognosis in TNBC.
Collapse
|
45
|
Pietri E, Conteduca V, Andreis D, Massa I, Melegari E, Sarti S, Cecconetto L, Schirone A, Bravaccini S, Serra P, Fedeli A, Maltoni R, Amadori D, De Giorgi U, Rocca A. Androgen receptor signaling pathways as a target for breast cancer treatment. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:R485-98. [PMID: 27528625 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor, and its effects on breast range from physiological pubertal development and age-related modifications to cancer onset and proliferation. The prevalence of AR in early breast cancer is around 60%, and AR is more frequently expressed in ER-positive than in ER-negative tumors. We offer an overview of AR signaling pathways in different breast cancer subtypes, providing evidence that its oncogenic role is likely to be different in distinct biological and clinical scenarios. In particular, in ER-positive breast cancer, AR signaling often antagonizes the growth stimulatory effect of ER signaling; in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), AR seems to drive tumor progression (at least in luminal AR subtype of TNBC with a gene expression profile mimicking luminal subtypes despite being negative to ER and enriched in AR expression); in HER2-positive breast cancer, in the absence of ER expression, AR signaling has a proliferative role. These data represent the rationale for AR-targeting treatment as a potentially new target therapy in breast cancer subset using androgen agonists in some AR-positive/ER-positive tumors, AR antagonists in triple-negative/AR-positive tumors and in combination with anti-HER2 agents or with other signaling pathways inhibitors (including PI3K/MYC/ERK) in HER2-positive/AR-positive tumors. Only the ongoing and future prospective clinical trials will allow us to establish which agents are the best option in every specific condition, keeping in mind that there is evidence of opposite androgens and AR agonist/antagonist drug effects on cell proliferation particularly in AR-positive/ER-positive tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Pietri
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Vincenza Conteduca
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Daniele Andreis
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical TrialsIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Massa
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical TrialsIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Melegari
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Samanta Sarti
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecconetto
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Alessio Schirone
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Bravaccini
- Biosciences LaboratoryIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Serra
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical TrialsIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Anna Fedeli
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Roberta Maltoni
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Dino Amadori
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Rocca
- Department of Medical OncologyIstituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Asano Y, Kashiwagi S, Onoda N, Noda S, Kawajiri H, Takashima T, Ohsawa M, Kitagawa S, Hirakawa K. Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Useful Predictor of the Therapeutic Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153459. [PMID: 27472762 PMCID: PMC4966926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The peripheral blood platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as an indicator for evaluating systemic inflammatory responses in cancer-bearing patients. While some reports suggest a correlation between PLR and prognosis, few studies have examined the relationship between PLR and sensitivity to chemotherapy. We conducted a study on whether PLR could serve as a predictor of the therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods PLR was evaluated in 177 breast cancer patients treated with the NAC 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by weekly paclitaxel and subsequent curative surgery. The correlation between PLR and prognosis, and between PLR and the efficacy of NAC, were evaluated retrospectively. Results The low PLR group had significantly more patients > 56 years old (p = 0.001) and postmenopausal women (p = 0.001) than the high PLR group. The low PLR group also had a higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rate (p = 0.019). On examining the correlation with prognosis, the low-PLR group was found to have significantly longer disease-free survival (p = 0.004) and overall survival (p = 0.032) than the high PLR group. Multivariate analysis also revealed that lymph node metastasis (p = 0.043, hazard ratio = 4.40) and a high PLR (p = 0.005, hazard ratio = 2.84) were independent, unfavorable prognostic factors. Conclusions For patients with breast cancer treated with NAC, a low PLR indicated high chemotherapy sensitivity, suggesting that PLR could serve as a predictive marker of the therapeutic effect of NAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Asano
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Naoyoshi Onoda
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoru Noda
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidemi Kawajiri
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takashima
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ohsawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiichi Kitagawa
- Department of Physiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosei Hirakawa
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lehmann BD, Jovanović B, Chen X, Estrada MV, Johnson KN, Shyr Y, Moses HL, Sanders ME, Pietenpol JA. Refinement of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Molecular Subtypes: Implications for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Selection. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157368. [PMID: 27310713 PMCID: PMC4911051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 819] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease that can be classified into distinct molecular subtypes by gene expression profiling. Considered a difficult-to-treat cancer, a fraction of TNBC patients benefit significantly from neoadjuvant chemotherapy and have far better overall survival. Outside of BRCA1/2 mutation status, biomarkers do not exist to identify patients most likely to respond to current chemotherapy; and, to date, no FDA-approved targeted therapies are available for TNBC patients. Previously, we developed an approach to identify six molecular subtypes TNBC (TNBCtype), with each subtype displaying unique ontologies and differential response to standard-of-care chemotherapy. Given the complexity of the varying histological landscape of tumor specimens, we used histopathological quantification and laser-capture microdissection to determine that transcripts in the previously described immunomodulatory (IM) and mesenchymal stem-like (MSL) subtypes were contributed from infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-associated stromal cells, respectively. Therefore, we refined TNBC molecular subtypes from six (TNBCtype) into four (TNBCtype-4) tumor-specific subtypes (BL1, BL2, M and LAR) and demonstrate differences in diagnosis age, grade, local and distant disease progression and histopathology. Using five publicly available, neoadjuvant chemotherapy breast cancer gene expression datasets, we retrospectively evaluated chemotherapy response of over 300 TNBC patients from pretreatment biopsies subtyped using either the intrinsic (PAM50) or TNBCtype approaches. Combined analysis of TNBC patients demonstrated that TNBC subtypes significantly differ in response to similar neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 41% of BL1 patients achieving a pathological complete response compared to 18% for BL2 and 29% for LAR with 95% confidence intervals (CIs; [33, 51], [9, 28], [17, 41], respectively). Collectively, we provide pre-clinical data that could inform clinical trials designed to test the hypothesis that improved outcomes can be achieved for TNBC patients, if selection and combination of existing chemotherapies is directed by knowledge of molecular TNBC subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Lehmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BDL); (JAP)
| | - Bojana Jovanović
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Monica V. Estrada
- Department of Medicine, Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kimberly N. Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Yu Shyr
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Division of Cancer Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Harold L. Moses
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Melinda E. Sanders
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Pietenpol
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail: (BDL); (JAP)
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The review is targeted at describing the advances in our understanding of androgen actions in the breast over the last 18 months. Androgens are current 'hot topics' in breast cancer because of their potential as therapeutics in situations where we currently do not have good clinical options. This is true for both estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) negative and ERα positive cancers. RECENT FINDINGS The review has focused on examining associations between androgen receptor and patient prognosis and outcomes in different breast cancer subtypes. A logical extension of this is covering the timely topic of the use of androgen-directed therapy in these patients. The principle settings in which this is being considered is in ERα positive cancer with therapeutic resistance to ER-directed therapies and in ERα negative breast cancer that lack current standard targeted therapies. Finally interactions between mutations, and the potential role of androgen in the normal hierarchy of mammary cell differentiation and the relationship of this to cancer, are considered. SUMMARY Androgens are firmly established as important factors across multiple breast cancer subtypes. The future challenge for basic researchers and important development for clinicians is going to be translating this understanding into effective therapeutics for the benefit of breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keely M McNamara
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University School of Graduate Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|