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Krawczyk N, Jaeger B, Martina PJ, Cristina LCRN, Melissa N, Maggie BP, Franziska MS, Hans N, Dieter N, Eugen R, Svjetlana M, Jürgen H, Thomas K, Irene E, Tanja F. Determination of the androgen receptor status of disseminated tumor cells in primary breast cancer patients. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:1525-1533. [PMID: 37902839 PMCID: PMC10894135 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07225-z] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Androgen receptor (AR) can serve as a new therapeutic target since it was shown to play a proliferative role in several breast cancer (BC) subtypes. Moreover, AR positivity has been suggested to reflect the metastatic potential of tumor cells in some BC subtypes. The aim of this study was to determine the AR expression on disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) as a surrogate marker of minimal residual disease (MRD) and potential precursor of metastasis in early BC. METHODS Bone marrow (BM) aspirates from 62 DTC-positive early BC patients were included into this study and analyzed by immunofluorescence staining for the presence of AR-positive DTCs. CK-positive, CD45-negative cells containing an intact nucleus (DAPI positive) were identified as DTCs. AR expression of the primary tumor (PT) was assessed by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor sections from core biopsies and surgical specimens. RESULTS AR status of DTCs could be determined in 21 patients. We detected AR-positive DTCs in nine samples (43%). AR expression of DTCs and corresponding PT showed a concordance rate of 33%. The DTC-AR status did not correlate with clinicopathological factors, nor did we observe a significant correlation between the AR status of the PT and other established prognostic factors for BC. CONCLUSION AR-positive DTCs can be detected in BM of early BC patients with a marked discordance of the AR status between DTCs and corresponding PTs. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Krawczyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernadette Jaeger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Piperek-Jäger Martina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Neubacher Melissa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Banys-Paluchowski Maggie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Meier-Stiegen Franziska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Neubauer Hans
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Niederacher Dieter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Ruckhäberle Eugen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohrmann Svjetlana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Hoffmann Jürgen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Kaleta Thomas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Esposito Irene
- Department of Pathology, University of Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fehm Tanja
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
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Weng L, Zhou J, Guo S, Xu N, Ma R. The molecular subtyping and precision medicine in triple-negative breast cancer---based on Fudan TNBC classification. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:120. [PMID: 38555429 PMCID: PMC10981301 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is widely recognized as the most aggressive form of breast cancer, occurring more frequently in younger patients and characterized by high heterogeneity, early distant metastases and poor prognosis. Multiple treatment options have failed to achieve the expected therapeutic effects due to the lack of clear molecular targets. Based on genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics, the multi-omics analysis further clarifies TNBC subtyping, which provides a greater understanding of tumour heterogeneity and targeted therapy sensitivity. For instance, the luminal androgen receptor subtype (LAR) exhibits responsiveness to anti-AR therapy, and the basal-like immune-suppressed subtype (BLIS) tends to benefit from poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) and anti-angiogenic therapy. The efficacy of multi-dimensional combination therapy holds immense importance in guiding personalized and precision medicine for TNBC. This review offers a systematic overview of recent FuDan TNBC molecular subtyping and its role in the instruction of clinical precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Weng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianliang Zhou
- Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shenchao Guo
- Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Nong Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ruishuang Ma
- Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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3
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Basho RK, Zhao L, White JB, Huo L, Bassett RL, Mittendorf EA, Thompson A, Litton JK, Ueno N, Arun B, Lim B, Valero V, Tripathy D, Zhang J, Adrada BE, Santiago L, Ravenberg E, Seth S, Yam C, Moulder SL, Damodaran S. Comprehensive Analysis Identifies Variability in PI3K Pathway Alterations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Subtypes. JCO Precis Oncol 2024; 8:e2300124. [PMID: 38484209 PMCID: PMC10954064 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The PI3K pathway is frequently altered in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Limited cell line and human data suggest that TNBC tumors characterized as mesenchymal (M) and luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtypes have increased incidence of alterations in the PI3K pathway. The impact of PI3K pathway alterations across TNBC subtypes is poorly understood. METHODS Pretreatment tumor was evaluated from operable TNBC patients enrolled on a clinical trial of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT; A Robust TNBC Evaluation fraMework to Improve Survival [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02276443]). Tumors were characterized into seven TNBC subtypes per Pietenpol criteria (basal-like 1, basal-like 2, immunomodulatory, M, mesenchymal stem-like, LAR, and unstable). Using whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry for PTEN, alterations were identified in 32 genes known to activate the PI3K pathway. Alterations in each subtype were associated with pathologic response to NAT. RESULTS In evaluated patients (N = 177), there was a significant difference in the incidence of PI3K pathway alterations across TNBC subtypes (P < .01). The highest incidence of alterations was seen in LAR (81%), BL2 (79%), and M (62%) subtypes. The odds ratio for pathologic complete response (pCR) in the presence of PIK3CA mutation, PTEN mutation, and/or PTEN loss was highest in the LAR subtype and lowest in the M subtype, but these findings did not reach statistical significance. Presence of PIK3CA mutation was associated with pCR in the LAR subtype (P = .02). CONCLUSION PI3K pathway alteration can affect response to NAT in TNBC, and targeted agents may improve outcomes, particularly in patients with M and LAR TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Zhao
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jason B. White
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lei Huo
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | | | - Naoto Ueno
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
| | - Banu Arun
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Bora Lim
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Vicente Valero
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Debu Tripathy
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | - Sahil Seth
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Clinton Yam
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Stacy L. Moulder
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN
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4
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Tien AH, Sadar MD. Treatments Targeting the Androgen Receptor and Its Splice Variants in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1817. [PMID: 38339092 PMCID: PMC10855698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. The complexity of endocrine regulation in breast cancer may allow the cancer cells to escape from a particular treatment and result in resistant and aggressive disease. These breast cancers usually have fewer treatment options. Targeted therapies for cancer patients may offer fewer adverse side effects because of specificity compared to conventional chemotherapy. Signaling pathways of nuclear receptors, such as the estrogen receptor (ER), have been intensively studied and used as therapeutic targets. Recently, the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer is gaining greater attention as a therapeutic target and as a prognostic biomarker. The expression of constitutively active truncated AR splice variants in breast cancer is a possible mechanism contributing to treatment resistance. Therefore, targeting both the full-length AR and AR variants, either through the activation or suppression of AR function, depending on the status of the ER, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, may provide additional treatment options. Studies targeting AR in combination with other treatment strategies are ongoing in clinical trials. The determination of the status of nuclear receptors to classify and identify patient subgroups will facilitate optimized and targeted combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H. Tien
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Marianne D. Sadar
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada
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Rhanine Y, Bonnefoi H, Goncalves A, Debled M, Le Moulec S, Bonichon N, Macgrogan G, Arnedos M, Dubroca-Dehez B, Grellety T. Efficacy of antiandrogens in androgen receptor-positive triple-negative metastatic breast cancer: Real-life data. Breast 2024; 73:103667. [PMID: 38160476 PMCID: PMC10792951 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.103667] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Antiandrogens (AA) have been tested in clinical trials in androgen receptor (AR) + triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We aim to assess the clinical benefit rate (CBR) of AA in real life. The primary end-point was CBR at 6 months. Twenty-four patients were assessable and received: abiraterone acetate (62 %), enzalutamide (8 %) and bicalutamide (30 %). CBR at 6 months was 29 % (7/24) with 2 CR, 3 PR and 2 SD. Four patients had a clinical benefit >12 months. Real-life efficacy of AA use in metastatic AR + TNBC are in line with data from published trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Rhanine
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hervé Bonnefoi
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Bergonié and Université de Bordeaux, UFR Sciences Médicales, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anthony Goncalves
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Debled
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | - Monica Arnedos
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Thomas Grellety
- Medical Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier de la Côte Basque, Bayonne, France.
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6
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Keskinkılıc M, Gökmen-Polar Y, Badve SS. Triple Negative Breast Cancers: An Obsolete Entity? Clin Breast Cancer 2024; 24:1-6. [PMID: 38016912 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer is defined on the basis of what it is not. It has served as a useful umbrella entity for management of patients with breast cancer for the last couple of decades. However, during this period a number of novel therapies have become available. These therapies have been documented to be useful in subsets of TNBCs that can be identified on the basis of distinct biologic alterations. Herein we revisit the categorization and usage of the TNBC as an entity to assess its utility in view of the currently available therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Keskinkılıc
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Yesim Gökmen-Polar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sunil S Badve
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
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7
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Bhat Y, Thrishna MR, Banerjee S. Molecular targets and therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10535-10577. [PMID: 37924450 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08868-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its heterogeneous complexity and is often difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the expression of major hormonal receptors like estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and is further subdivided into androgen receptor (AR) positive and AR negative. In contrast, AR negative is also known as quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC). Compared to AR-positive TNBC, QNBC has a great scarcity of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. QNBC shows excessive cellular growth and proliferation of tumor cells due to increased expression of growth factors like EGF and various surface proteins. This study briefly reviews the limited data available as protein biomarkers that can be used as molecular targets in treating TNBC as well as QNBC. Targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently changed cancer treatment. Many studies in medicinal chemistry continue to focus on the synthesis of novel compounds to discover new antiproliferative medicines capable of treating TNBC despite the abundance of treatments currently on the market. Drug repurposing is one of the therapeutic methods for TNBC that has been examined. Moreover, some additional micronutrients, nutraceuticals, and functional foods may be able to lower cancer risk or slow the spread of malignant diseases that have already been diagnosed with cancer. Finally, nanomedicines, or applications of nanotechnology in medicine, introduce nanoparticles with variable chemistry and architecture for the treatment of cancer. This review emphasizes the most recent research on nutraceuticals, medication repositioning, and novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashasvi Bhat
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - M R Thrishna
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Satarupa Banerjee
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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8
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Kumar H, Gupta NV, Jain R, Madhunapantula SV, Babu CS, Kesharwani SS, Dey S, Jain V. A review of biological targets and therapeutic approaches in the management of triple-negative breast cancer. J Adv Res 2023; 54:271-292. [PMID: 36791960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous, aggressive phenotype of breast cancer with associated chemoresistance. The development of chemo- or radioresistance could be attributed to diverse tumor microenvironments, overexpression of membrane proteins (transporters), epigenetic changes, and alteration of the cell signaling pathways/genes associated with the development of cancer stem cells (CSCs). AIM OF REVIEW Due to the diverse and heterogeneous nature of TNBC, therapeutic response to the existing modalities offers limited scope and thus results in reccurance after therapy. To establish landmark therapeutic efficacy, a number of novel therapeutic modalities have been proposed. In addition, reversal of the resistance that developed during treatment may be altered by employing appropriate therapeutic modalities. This review aims to discuss the plethora of investigations carried out, which will help readers understand and make an appropriate choice of therapy directed toward complete elimination of TNBC. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This manuscript addresses the major contributory factors from the tumor microenvironment that are responsible for the development of chemoresistance and poor prognosis. The associated cellular events and molecular mechanism-based therapeutic interventions have been explained in detail. Inhibition of ABC transporters, cell signaling pathways associated with CSCs, and epigenetic modification offers promising results in this regard. TNBC progression, invasion, metastasis and recurrence can also be inhibited by blocking multiple cell signaling pathways, targeting specific receptors/epigenetic targets, disrupting bioenergetics and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - N Vishal Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - Rupshee Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - SubbaRao V Madhunapantula
- Department of Biochemistry, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology & Regenerative Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - C Saravana Babu
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | | | - Surajit Dey
- Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Vikas Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India.
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9
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Sharifi MN, O'Regan RM, Wisinski KB. Is the Androgen Receptor a Viable Target in Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 5 Years? Clin Breast Cancer 2023; 23:813-824. [PMID: 37419745 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high rates of disease recurrence after definitive therapy, and median survival of less than 18 months in the metastatic setting. Systemic therapy options for TNBC consist primarily of cytotoxic chemotherapy-containing regimens, and while recently FDA-approved chemo-immunotherapy combinations and antibody-drug conjugates such as Sacituzumab govitecan have improved clinical outcomes, there remains an unmet need for more effective and less toxic therapies. A subset of TNBC expresses the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear hormone steroid receptor that activates an androgen-responsive transcriptional program, and gene expression profiling has revealed a TNBC molecular subtype with AR expression and luminal and androgen responsive features. Both preclinical and clinical data suggest biologic similarities between luminal AR (LAR) TNBC and ER+ luminal breast cancer, including lower proliferative activity, relative chemoresistance, and high rates of oncogenic activating mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Preclinical LAR-TNBC models are sensitive to androgen signaling inhibitors (ASIs), and particularly given the availability of FDA-approved ASIs with robust efficacy in prostate cancer, there has been great interest in targeting this pathway in AR+ TNBC. Here, we review the underlying biology and completed and ongoing androgen-targeted therapy studies in early stage and metastatic AR+ TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina N Sharifi
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI.
| | - Ruth M O'Regan
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Kari B Wisinski
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
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10
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Yan S, Wang J, Chen H, Zhang D, Imam M. Divergent features of ERβ isoforms in triple negative breast cancer: progress and implications for further research. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1240386. [PMID: 37936981 PMCID: PMC10626554 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1240386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) was discovered more than 20 years ago. However, the extent and role of ERβ expression in breast cancer remain controversial, especially in the context of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). ERβ exists as multiple isoforms, and a series of studies has revealed an inconsistent role of ERβ isoforms in TNBC. Our recent results demonstrated contrasting functions of ERβ1 and ERβ2/β5 in TNBC. Additional research should be conducted to explore the functions of individual ERβ isoforms and develop targeted drugs according to the relevant mechanisms. Consequently, a systematic review of ERβ isoforms is necessary. In this review, we overview the structure of ERβ isoforms and detail what is known about the function of ERβ isoforms in normal mammary tissue and breast cancer. Moreover, this review highlights the divergent features of ERβ isoforms in TNBC. This review also provides insights into the implications of targeting ERβ isoforms for clinical treatment. In conclusion, this review provides a framework delineating the roles and mechanisms of different ERβ isoforms in TNBC and sheds light on future directions for basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunchao Yan
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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11
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Martorana F, Di Grazia G, Rosano GN, Vecchio GM, Conti C, Nucera S, Magro G, Vigneri P. More Than Meets the Eye: A Case of Breast Cancer Switching from Being Luminal-Androgen-Receptor-Positive to Being Hormone-Receptor-Positive. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1875. [PMID: 37893593 PMCID: PMC10608003 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents about 15% of all breast cancers and is usually characterized by aggressive clinical behavior and a poor prognosis. Four TNBC subgroups have been previously defined with different molecular profiles: (i) luminal androgen receptor (LAR), (ii) mesenchymal (MES), (iii) basal-like immunosuppressed (BLIS) and (iv) basal-like immune-activated (BLIA). Among these, LAR is characterized by the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), and exhibits genomic characteristics that resemble luminal breast cancers, with a still undefined prognosis and clinical behavior. Here, we report a case of a woman affected by recurring LAR TNBC, which underwent phenotypic changes throughout its natural history. After the initial diagnosis of LAR breast cancer, the patient experienced local recurrence with strong expression of the estrogen receptor. Due to this finding, she started treatment with a CDK4/6-inhibitor and an aromatase inhibitor, followed by oral vinorelbine, both with dismal outcomes. Then, she received everolimus and exemestane, which determined temporary disease stabilization. An extensive NGS analysis of tumor tissue showed PIK3CA and HER2 mutations. Our case is consistent with previous reports of LAR breast cancer and underlines the potential utility of re-biopsy and molecular testing in breast cancer (BC), especially in rare subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Martorana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Di Grazia
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98131 Messina, Italy; (G.D.G.); (C.C.); (S.N.)
| | - Giovanni Nunzio Rosano
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.N.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Giada Maria Vecchio
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.N.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Chiara Conti
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98131 Messina, Italy; (G.D.G.); (C.C.); (S.N.)
| | - Sabrina Nucera
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98131 Messina, Italy; (G.D.G.); (C.C.); (S.N.)
| | - Gaetano Magro
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.N.R.); (G.M.V.); (G.M.)
| | - Paolo Vigneri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Humanitas Istituto Clinico Catanese, University Oncology Department, 95045 Catania, Italy
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12
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Bargakshatriya R, Pramanik SK. Stimuli-Responsive Prodrug Chemistries for Cancer Therapy. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300155. [PMID: 37341379 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Prodrugs are pharmacologically inactive, chemically modified derivatives of active drugs, which, following in vivo administration, are converted to the parent drugs through chemical or enzymatic cleavage. The prodrug approach holds tremendous potential to create the enhanced version of an existing pharmacological agent and leverage those improvements to augment the drug molecules' bioavailability, targeting ability, therapeutic efficacy, safety, and marketability. Especially in cancer therapy, prodrug application has received substantial attention. A prodrug can effectively broaden the therapeutic window of its parent drug by enhancing its release at targeted tumor sites while reducing its access to healthy cells. The spatiotemporally controlled release can be achieved by manipulating the chemical, physical, or biological stimuli present at the targeted tumor site. The critical strategy comprises drug-carrier linkages that respond to physiological or biochemical stimuli in the tumor milieu to yield the active drug form. This review will focus on the recent advancements in the development of various fluorophore-drug conjugates that are widely used for real-time monitoring of drug delivery. The use of different stimuli-cleavable linkers and the mechanisms of linker cleavage will be discussed. Finally, the review will conclude with a critical discussion of the prospects and challenges that might impede the future development of such prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Bargakshatriya
- CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, 364002, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sumit Kumar Pramanik
- CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, 364002, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
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13
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Poutanen M, Hagberg Thulin M, Härkönen P. Targeting sex steroid biosynthesis for breast and prostate cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2023:10.1038/s41568-023-00609-y. [PMID: 37684402 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00609-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matti Poutanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Turku Center for Disease Modelling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
| | - Malin Hagberg Thulin
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pirkko Härkönen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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14
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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.
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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
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15
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Wang Y, Hacking SM, Li Z, Graff SL, Yang D, Tan L, Liu F, Zhang T, Zhao Z, Luo S, Du P, Jia S, Cheng L. Triple-negative Breast Carcinoma With Apocrine and Histiocytoid Features: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Study of 18 Cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2023; 47:1011-1018. [PMID: 37310016 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous group of tumors. Most TNBCs are high-grade aggressive tumors, but a minority of TNBCs are not high grade, with relatively indolent behavior and specific morphologic and molecular features. We performed a clinicopathologic and molecular assessment of 18 non-high-grade TNBCs with apocrine and/or histiocytoid features. All were grade I or II with low Ki-67 (≤20%). Thirteen (72%) showed apocrine features, and 5 (28%) showed histiocytoid and lobular features. In all, 17/18 expressed the androgen receptor, and 13/13 expressed gross cystic disease fluid protein 15. Four (22.2%) patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but none achieved a pathologic complete response. In all, 2/18 patients (11%) had lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery. None of the cases had a recurrence or disease-specific death, with an average follow-up time of 38 months. Thirteen cases were profiled by targeted capture-based next-generation DNA sequencing. Genomic alterations (GAs) were most significant for PI3K-PKB/Akt pathway (69%) genes, including PIK3R1 (23%), PIK3CA (38%), and PTEN (23%), and RTK-RAS pathway (62%) including FGFR4 (46%) and ERBB2 (15%). TP53 GA was seen in only 31% of patients. Our findings support those on high-grade TNBCs with apocrine and/or histiocytoid features as a clinicopathologic and genetically distinct subgroup of TNBC. They can be defined by features including tubule formation, rare mitosis, low Ki-67 (≤20%), triple-negative status, expression of androgen receptor and/or gross cystic disease fluid protein 15, and GA in the PI3K-PKB/Akt and/or RTK-RAS pathway. These tumors are not sensitive to chemotherapy but have favorable clinical behavior. Tumor subtype definitions are the first step to implementing future trial designs to select these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Wang
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
| | | | - Zaibo Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Stephanie L Graff
- Medical Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital and Lifespan Medical Center, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | | | - Lu Tan
- Predicine Inc., Hayward, CA
| | | | | | | | | | - Pan Du
- Predicine Inc., Hayward, CA
| | | | - Liang Cheng
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
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16
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Zhu S, Wu Y, Song B, Yi M, Yan Y, Mei Q, Wu K. Recent advances in targeted strategies for triple-negative breast cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:100. [PMID: 37641116 PMCID: PMC10464091 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01497-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, negatively expresses estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Although chemotherapy is the main form of treatment for patients with TNBC, the effectiveness of chemotherapy for TNBC is still limited. The search for more effective therapies is urgent. Multiple targeted therapeutic strategies have emerged according to the specific molecules and signaling pathways expressed in TNBC. These include PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, Notch inhibitors, poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates. Moreover, immune checkpoint inhibitors, for example, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab, are widely explored in the clinic. We summarize recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy in TNBC, with the aim of serving as a reference for the development of individualized treatment of patients with TNBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bin Song
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Yuheng Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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17
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Chamandi G, El-Hajjar L, El Kurdi A, Le Bras M, Nasr R, Lehmann-Che J. ER Negative Breast Cancer and miRNA: There Is More to Decipher Than What the Pathologist Can See! Biomedicines 2023; 11:2300. [PMID: 37626796 PMCID: PMC10452617 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC), the most prevalent cancer in women, is a heterogenous disease. Despite advancements in BC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics, survival rates have drastically decreased in the metastatic setting. Therefore, BC still remains a medical challenge. The evolution of high-throughput technology has highlighted gaps in the classification system of BCs. Of particular interest is the notorious triple negative BC, which was recounted as being heterogenous itself and it overlaps with distinct subtypes, namely molecular apocrine (MA) and luminal androgen (LAR) BCs. These subtypes are, even today, still misdiagnosed and poorly treated. As such, researchers and clinicians have been looking for ways through which to refine BC classification in order to properly understand the initiation, development, progression, and the responses to the treatment of BCs. One tool is biomarkers and, specifically, microRNA (miRNA), which are highly reported as associated with BC carcinogenesis. In this review, the diverse roles of miRNA in estrogen receptor negative (ER-) and androgen receptor positive (AR+) BC are depicted. While highlighting their oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions in tumor progression, we will discuss their diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker potentials, as well as their drug sensitivity/resistance activity. The association of several miRNAs in the KEGG-reported pathways that are related to ER-BC carcinogenesis is presented. The identification and verification of accurate miRNA panels is a cornerstone for tackling BC classification setbacks, as is also the deciphering of the carcinogenesis regulators of ER - AR + BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Chamandi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon; (G.C.); (L.E.-H.)
- Pathophysiology of Breast Cancer Team, INSERM U976, Immunologie Humaine, Pathophysiologie, Immunothérapie (HIPI), Université Paris Cité, 75010 Paris, France;
| | - Layal El-Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon; (G.C.); (L.E.-H.)
- Office of Basic/Translational Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdallah El Kurdi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon;
| | - Morgane Le Bras
- Pathophysiology of Breast Cancer Team, INSERM U976, Immunologie Humaine, Pathophysiologie, Immunothérapie (HIPI), Université Paris Cité, 75010 Paris, France;
| | - Rihab Nasr
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon; (G.C.); (L.E.-H.)
| | - Jacqueline Lehmann-Che
- Pathophysiology of Breast Cancer Team, INSERM U976, Immunologie Humaine, Pathophysiologie, Immunothérapie (HIPI), Université Paris Cité, 75010 Paris, France;
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18
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Bhardwaj PV, Wang Y, Brunk E, Spanheimer PM, Abdou YG. Advances in the Management of Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12478. [PMID: 37569851 PMCID: PMC10419523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with both inter- and intratumor heterogeneity, thought to result in a more aggressive course and worse outcomes. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become the preferred treatment modality of early-stage TNBC as it allows for the downstaging of tumors in the breast and axilla, monitoring early treatment response, and most importantly, provides important prognostic information that is essential to determining post-surgical therapies to improve outcomes. It focuses on combinations of systemic drugs to optimize pathologic complete response (pCR). Excellent response to NAT has allowed surgical de-escalation in ideal candidates. Further, treatment algorithms guide the systemic management of patients based on their pCR status following surgery. The expanding knowledge of molecular pathways, genomic sequencing, and the immunological profile of TNBC has led to the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted agents, including PARP inhibitors, further revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape of this clinical entity. However, subgroups most likely to benefit from these novel approaches in TNBC remain elusive and are being extensively studied. In this review, we describe current practices and promising therapeutic options on the horizon for TNBC, surgical advances, and future trends in molecular determinants of response to therapy in early-stage TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prarthna V. Bhardwaj
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School—Baystate, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth Brunk
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genomic Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Computational Medicine Program, UNC Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Philip M. Spanheimer
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yara G. Abdou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Division of Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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19
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Purwanto I, Leo B, Hutajulu SH, Kurnianda J, Taroeno-Hariadi KW, Hardianti MS, Satiti AD, Dwianingsih EK, Heriyanto DS, Widodo I, Aryandono T. Prognostic Value of Vimentin in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients Depends on Chemotherapy Regimen and p53 Mutant Expression. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2023; 15:515-524. [PMID: 37533591 PMCID: PMC10390761 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s418696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To determine the prognostic value of vimentin in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, specifically in relation to chemotherapy regimen and p53 mutant expression. Patient and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the association of pre-treatment tumor expression of vimentin with 48-month overall survival (OS) of 72 all stages TNBC patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2018 in relation to chemotherapy regimen and expression of p53 mutant. Vimentin and p53 mutant expressions were examined using immunohistochemistry. Analysis was conducted on all patients collectively, then repeated on two cohorts divided according to the chemotherapy regimen. Sub-analysis was performed to determine the effect of p53 mutant expression on the prognostic value of vimentin. Results Vimentin was expressed in 43.1% of patients and was not associated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Vimentin was associated with improved 48-month OS in all patients in univariate analysis but not significant in multivariate analysis. When analyzed according to chemotherapy regimen, vimentin was independently associated with improved 48-month OS in patients receiving non-platinum-based chemotherapy (80% vs 15.8%; HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.58, p: 0.005). Other independent prognostic factors include T (HR: 6.18, 95% CI: 1.38-27.7, p: 0.017) and M (HR: 5.64, 95% CI: 1.2-26.33, p: 0.028). On subanalysis, vimentin was significantly associated with improved 48-month OS in patients expressing p53 mutant (69.2% vs 22.2%, p: 0.006) but was not significant in patients not expressing p53 mutant. Conclusion Vimentin expression was independently associated with improved 48-month OS in TNBC patients treated with non-platinum-based chemotherapy. Expression of p53 mutant significantly affected the prognostic value of vimentin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibnu Purwanto
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Benedreky Leo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Susanna Hilda Hutajulu
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Johan Kurnianda
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Kartika Widayati Taroeno-Hariadi
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mardiah Suci Hardianti
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Amanda Dania Satiti
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ery Kus Dwianingsih
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Didik Setyo Heriyanto
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Irianiwati Widodo
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Aryandono
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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20
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Morrison L, Okines A. Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Current Treatments and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3801. [PMID: 37568617 PMCID: PMC10417818 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Until recently, despite its heterogenous biology, metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) was treated as a single entity, with successive lines of palliative chemotherapy being the only systemic option. Significant gene expression studies have demonstrated the diversity of TNBC, but effective differential targeting of the four main (Basal-like 1 and 2, mesenchymal and luminal androgen receptor) molecular sub-types has largely eluded researchers. The introduction of immunotherapy, currently useful only for patients with PD-L1 positive cancers, led to the stratification of first-line therapy using this immunohistochemical biomarker. Germline BRCA gene mutations can also be targeted with PARP inhibitors in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings. In contrast, the benefit of the anti-Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) does not appear confined to patients with tumours expressing high levels of Trop-2, leading to its potential utility for any patient with an estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (ABC). Most recently, low levels of HER2 expression, detected in up to 60% of TNBC, predicts benefit from the potent HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), defining an additional treatment option for this sub-group. Regrettably, despite recent advances, the median survival of TNBC continues to lag far behind the approximately 5 years now expected for patients with ER-positive or HER2-positive breast cancers. We review the data supporting immunotherapy, ADCs, and targeted agents in subgroups of patients with TNBC, and current clinical trials that may pave the way to further advances in this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicia Okines
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
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21
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Jinna ND, Van Alsten S, Rida P, Seewaldt VL, Troester MA. Molecular features of androgen-receptor low, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancers in the Carolina breast cancer study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023:10.1007/s10549-023-07014-x. [PMID: 37438515 PMCID: PMC10361868 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Androgen receptor (AR) expression is absent in 40-90% of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers. The prognostic value of AR in ER-negative patients and therapeutic targets for patients absent in AR remains poorly explored. METHODS We used an RNA-based multigene classifier to identify AR-low and AR-high ER-negative participants in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study (CBCS; N = 669) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; N = 237). We compared AR-defined subgroups by demographics, tumor characteristics, and established molecular signatures [PAM50 risk of recurrence (ROR), homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), and immune response]. RESULTS AR-low tumors were more prevalent among younger (RFD = + 10%, 95% CI = 4% to 16%) participants in CBCS and were associated with HER2 negativity (RFD = - 35%, 95% CI = - 44% to - 26%), higher grade (RFD = + 17%, 95% CI = 8% to 26%), and higher risk of recurrence scores (RFD = + 22%, 95% CI = 16.1% to 28%), with similar results in TCGA. The AR-low subgroup was strongly associated with HRD in CBCS (RFD = + 33.3%, 95% CI = 23.8% to 43.2%) and TCGA (RFD = + 41.5%, 95% CI = 34.0% to 48.6%). In CBCS, AR-low tumors had high adaptive immune marker expression. CONCLUSION Multigene, RNA-based low AR expression is associated with aggressive disease characteristics as well as DNA repair defects and immune phenotypes, suggesting plausible precision therapies for AR-low, ER-negative patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita D Jinna
- Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - Sarah Van Alsten
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Padmashree Rida
- Department of Science, Rowland Hall, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102, USA
| | - Victoria L Seewaldt
- Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Melissa A Troester
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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22
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Thomas A, Reis-Filho JS, Geyer CE, Wen HY. Rare subtypes of triple negative breast cancer: Current understanding and future directions. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:55. [PMID: 37353557 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00554-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare subtypes of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are a heterogenous group of tumors, comprising 5-10% of all TNBCs. Despite accounting for an absolute number of cases in aggregate approaching that of other less common, but well studied solid tumors, rare subtypes of triple-negative disease remain understudied. Low prevalence, diagnostic challenges and overlapping diagnoses have hindered consistent categorization of these breast cancers. Here we review epidemiology, histology and clinical and molecular characteristics of metaplastic, triple-negative lobular, apocrine, adenoid cystic, secretory and high-grade neuroendocrine TNBCs. Medullary pattern invasive ductal carcinoma no special type, which until recently was a considered a distinct subtype, is also discussed. With this background, we review how applying biological principals often applied to study TNBC no special type could improve our understanding of rare TNBCs. These could include the utilization of targeted molecular approaches or disease agnostic tools such as tumor mutational burden or germline mutation-directed treatments. Burgeoning data also suggest that pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy and circulating tumor DNA have value in understanding rare subtypes of TNBC. Finally, we discuss a framework for advancing disease-specific knowledge in this space. While the conduct of randomized trials in rare TNBC subtypes has been challenging, re-envisioning trial design and technologic tools may offer new opportunities. These include embedding rare TNBC subtypes in umbrella studies of rare tumors, retrospective review of contemporary trials, prospective identification of patients with rare TNBC subtypes entering on clinical trials and querying big data for outcomes of patients with rare breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thomas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles E Geyer
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hannah Y Wen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Fan KY, Chehade R, Qazi M, Moravan V, Nofech-Mozes S, Jerzak KJ. Androgen Receptor Is Expressed in the Majority of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases and Is Subtype-Dependent. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2748. [PMID: 37345085 PMCID: PMC10216529 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the expression of the "targetable" androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer brain metastases (BrM). An established, retrospective 57-patient cohort with metastatic breast cancer who underwent surgery for BrM at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre between 1999-2013 was studied. AR expression in BrM samples was assessed in triplicate using immunohistochemistry (IHC). AR positive status was defined as nuclear AR expression ≥ 10% by IHC using the SP107 antibody. The median age of patients was 52 years (range 32-85 years). 28 (49%) of BrM were HER2+, 17 (30%) were hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2-, and 12 (21%) were triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). 56% (n = 32/57) of BrM were AR positive, and median AR expression was 20% (CI 1.6-38.3%). AR expression was different across breast cancer subtypes; AR was most frequently expressed in HER2+ (n = 21/28), followed by HR+/HER2- (n = 9/17), and lowest in TNBC (n = 2/12) BrM (p = 0.003). Patients with AR positive versus AR negative BrM had similar overall survival (12.5 vs. 7.9 months, p = 0.6), brain-specific progression-free survival (8.0 vs. 5.1 months, p = 0.95), and time from breast cancer diagnosis to BrM diagnosis (51 vs. 29 months, p = 0.16). AR is expressed in the majority of breast cancer BrM and represents a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Yijun Fan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Rania Chehade
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Maleeha Qazi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
| | | | - Sharon Nofech-Mozes
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G1X5, Canada
| | - Katarzyna J. Jerzak
- Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada
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24
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Liu Y, Zhu XZ, Xiao Y, Wu SY, Zuo WJ, Yu Q, Cao AY, Li JJ, Yu KD, Liu GY, Wu J, Sun T, Cui JW, Lv Z, Li HP, Zhu XY, Jiang YZ, Wang ZH, Shao ZM. Subtyping-based platform guides precision medicine for heavily pretreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: The FUTURE phase II umbrella clinical trial. Cell Res 2023; 33:389-402. [PMID: 36973538 PMCID: PMC10156707 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00795-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease and lacks effective treatment. Our previous study classified TNBCs into four subtypes with putative therapeutic targets. Here, we report the final results of FUTURE, a phase II umbrella trial designed to explore whether the subtyping-based strategy may improve the outcomes in metastatic TNBC patients. A total of 141 patients with a median of three previous lines of therapies in the metastatic setting were enrolled in seven parallel arms. Confirmed objective responses were achieved in 42 patients (29.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 22.4-38.1). The median values of progression-free survival and overall survival were 3.4 (95% CI: 2.7-4.2) and 10.7 (95% CI: 9.1-12.3) months, respectively. Given Bayesian predictive probability, efficacy boundaries were achieved in four arms. Furthermore, integrated genomic and clinicopathological profiling illustrated associations of clinical and genomic parameters with treatment efficacy, and the efficacy of novel antibody-drug conjugates was explored in preclinical TNBC models of subtypes for which treatment was futile. In general, the FUTURE strategy recruits patients efficiently and provides promising efficacy with manageable toxicities, outlining a direction for further clinical exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu-Zhi Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Song-Yang Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jia Zuo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - A-Yong Cao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Jie Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke-Da Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Yu Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiong Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University/Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiu-Wei Cui
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zheng Lv
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Hui-Ping Li
- Department of Breast Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhu
- Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhong-Hua Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Zhou D, Li M, Yasin MH, Lu Q, Fu J, Jiang K, Hong R, Wang S, Xu F. The prognostic value and immune microenvironment association of AR in HER2+ nonmetastatic breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:30. [PMID: 37085500 PMCID: PMC10121570 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00527-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of AR in HER2+ nonmetastatic breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and its relationship with the immune microenvironment. HER2+ nonmetastatic breast IDC patients diagnosed by pathology who underwent surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 2016 to 2017 were included. AR+ and AR- breast IDC samples were matched 1:1 in age, T stage, and N stage for immune infiltration analysis. A total of 554 patients with HER2+ nonmetastatic breast cancer were included in this retrospective study, regardless of HR status. The cut-off value for AR was set at 10%. ER+ (p < 0.001) and PR+ (p < 0.001) were associated with positive AR expression. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis suggested that AR was closely correlated with overall survival (OS) (p = 0.001) but not disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.051). After eliminating the potential impact caused by HR, AR also predicted longer OS (p = 0.014) and was an independent predictive factor for OS of HER2+HR- nonmetastatic breast IDC patients, as revealed by multivariate analysis (p = 0.036). For AR+ and AR- matched HER2+HR- patients, TILs (p = 0.043) and PD-L1 (p = 0.027) levels were significantly lower in AR+ patients. The strongest negative correlation was observed between AR and PD-L1 (Pearson's r = -0.299, p = 0.001). AR+ status was markedly related to better OS in HER2+HR- nonmetastatic breast cancer patients, while a negative correlation was observed between AR and PD-L1/TILs. We provide new insights into the prognostic value of AR and its association with the immune microenvironment to optimize treatment strategies in HER2+ nonmetastatic breast IDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Zhou
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Mohamed Hussein Yasin
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianyi Lu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Fu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Kuikui Jiang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruoxi Hong
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Wang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fei Xu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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26
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Leo J, Dondossola E, Basham KJ, Wilson NR, Alhalabi O, Gao J, Kurnit KC, White MG, McQuade JL, Westin SN, Wellberg EA, Frigo DE. Stranger Things: New Roles and Opportunities for Androgen Receptor in Oncology Beyond Prostate Cancer. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad071. [PMID: 37154098 PMCID: PMC10413436 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is one of the oldest therapeutic targets in oncology and continues to dominate the treatment landscape for advanced prostate cancer, where nearly all treatment regimens include some form of AR modulation. In this regard, AR remains the central driver of prostate cancer cell biology. Emerging preclinical and clinical data implicate key roles for AR in additional cancer types, thereby expanding the importance of this drug target beyond prostate cancer. In this mini-review, new roles for AR in other cancer types are discussed as well as their potential for treatment with AR-targeted agents. Our understanding of these additional functions for AR in oncology expand this receptor's potential as a therapeutic target and will help guide the development of new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Leo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eleonora Dondossola
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Omar Alhalabi
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine C Kurnit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer L McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Department of Pathology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Daniel E Frigo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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27
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Subhan MA, Parveen F, Shah H, Yalamarty SSK, Ataide JA, Torchilin VP. Recent Advances with Precision Medicine Treatment for Breast Cancer including Triple-Negative Sub-Type. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082204. [PMID: 37190133 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different molecular subtypes. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in woman due to rapid metastasis and disease recurrence. Precision medicine remains an essential source to lower the off-target toxicities of chemotherapeutic agents and maximize the patient benefits. This is a crucial approach for a more effective treatment and prevention of disease. Precision-medicine methods are based on the selection of suitable biomarkers to envision the effectiveness of targeted therapy in a specific group of patients. Several druggable mutations have been identified in breast cancer patients. Current improvements in omics technologies have focused on more precise strategies for precision therapy. The development of next-generation sequencing technologies has raised hopes for precision-medicine treatment strategies in breast cancer (BC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Targeted therapies utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi), poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oncolytic viruses (OVs), glucose transporter-1 inhibitor (GLUT1i), and targeting signaling pathways are potential treatment approaches for BC and TNBC. This review emphasizes the recent progress made with the precision-medicine therapy of metastatic breast cancer and TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdus Subhan
- Department of Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Parveen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
- Department of Pharmacy Services, DHQ Hospital Jhang 35200, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Hassan Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Janaína Artem Ataide
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-871, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdimir P Torchilin
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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28
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Chartier S, Brochard C, Martinat C, Coussy F, Feron JG, Kirova Y, Cottu P, Marchiò C, Vincent-Salomon A. TROP2, androgen receptor, and PD-L1 status in histological subtypes of high-grade metaplastic breast carcinomas. Histopathology 2023; 82:664-671. [PMID: 36527253 DOI: 10.1111/his.14852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS High-grade metaplastic breast carcinoma (HG-MBC) is a rare subtype of invasive breast carcinoma, mostly triple-negative. Metaplastic carcinomas are less responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and are associated with a worse outcome than invasive carcinomas of no special type. METHODS Clinicopathological characteristics and immunophenotype were retrospectively assessed in a series of 65 patients diagnosed with HG-MBC between 2005 and 2017 at the Curie Institute (antibody panel: oestrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], androgen receptor [AR], human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2], programmed death ligand-1 [PD-L1], and trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 [TROP2]). RESULTS The median age at diagnosis was 59.5 years. Six (9%) patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Among the nonmetastatic patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, 26% (5/19) achieved pathological complete response. Most tumours were pT1/pT2 (77%) and 12% were pN+. Histological subtypes (mixed, squamous, mesenchymal, and spindle cell) were 40%, 35.5%, 15.5%, and 9%, respectively. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were low or moderate except when squamous differentiation was present. Most tumours were triple-negative (92%). AR and TROP2 were positive in 34% and 85% of the cases, respectively. PD-L1 was positive in tumour cells in 18% (cutoff: 1% of positive tumour cells) of the cases and in tumour-infiltrating immune cells in 40% (cutoff: 1% of tumour area) of the cases. Notably, spindle cell and mesenchymal metaplastic breast carcinomas were mostly PDL1-negative. Lastly, 21 (32.3%) cases were HER2-low, all being HER2 1+, with no HER2 2+. CONCLUSION Metaplastic breast carcinoma could benefit from tailored therapeutic strategies adapted to the phenotypic specificities of histological subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Chartier
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Bicêtre, APHP, Université Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Florence Coussy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Youlia Kirova
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Paul Cottu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.,Pathology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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29
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Jinna N, Van Alsten S, Rida P, Seewaldt V, Troester M. Molecular Features of Androgen-Receptor Low, Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancers in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2693555. [PMID: 36993425 PMCID: PMC10055609 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2693555/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Androgen receptor (AR) expression is absent in 40-90% of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers. The prognostic value of AR in ER-negative patients and therapeutic targets for patients absent in AR remains poorly explored. METHODS We used an RNA-based multigene classifier to identify AR-low and AR-high ER-negative participants in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study (CBCS; n=669) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; n=237). We compared AR-defined subgroups by demographics, tumor characteristics, and established molecular signatures [PAM50 risk of recurrence (ROR), homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), and immune response]. RESULTS AR-low tumors were more prevalent among Black (relative frequency difference (RFD) = +7%, 95% CI = 1% to 14%) and younger (RFD = +10%, 95% CI = 4% to 16%) participants in CBCS and were associated with HER2-negativity (RFD = -35%, 95% CI = -44% to -26%), higher grade (RFD = +17%, 95% CI = 8% to 26%), and higher risk of recurrence scores (RFD = +22%, 95% CI = 16.1% to 28%), with similar results in TCGA. The AR-low subgroup was strongly associated with HRD in CBCS (RFD = +33.3%, 95% CI = 23.8% to 43.2%) and TCGA (RFD = +41.5%, 95% CI = 34.0% to 48.6%). In CBCS, AR-low tumors had high adaptive immune marker expression. CONCLUSION Multigene, RNA-based low AR expression is associated with aggressive disease characteristics as well as DNA repair defects and immune phenotypes, suggesting plausible precision therapies for AR-low, ER-negative patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Melissa Troester
- UNC-Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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30
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Choupani E, Mahmoudi Gomari M, Zanganeh S, Nasseri S, Haji-Allahverdipoor K, Rostami N, Hernandez Y, Najafi S, Saraygord-Afshari N, Hosseini A. Newly Developed Targeted Therapies Against the Androgen Receptor in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Review. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:309-327. [PMID: 36781219 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Among different types of breast cancers (BC), triple-negative BC (TNBC) amounts to 15% to 20% of breast malignancies. Three principal characteristics of TNBC cells are (i) extreme aggressiveness, (ii) absence of hormones, and (iii) growth factor receptors. Due to the lack or poor expression of the estrogen receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and progesterone receptor, TNBC is resistant to hormones and endocrine therapies. Consequently, chemotherapy is currently used as the primary approach against TNBC. Expression of androgen receptor (AR) in carcinoma cells has been observed in a subset of patients with TNBC; therefore, inhibiting androgen signaling pathways holds promise for TNBC targeting. The new AR inhibitors have opened up new therapy possibilities for BC patients carrying AR-positive TNBC cells. Our group provides a comprehensive review of the structure and function of the AR and clinical evidence for targeting the cell's nuclear receptor in TNBC. We updated AR agonists, inhibitors, and antagonists. We also presented a new era of genetic manipulating CRISPR/Cas9 and nanotechnology as state-of-the-art approaches against AR to promote the efficiency of targeted therapy in TNBC. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The lack of effective treatment for triple-negative breast cancer is a health challenge. The main disadvantages of existing treatments are their side effects, due to their nonspecific targeting. Molecular targeting of cellular receptors, such as androgen receptors, increased expression in malignant tissues, significantly improving the survival rate of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edris Choupani
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Saeed Zanganeh
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Sherko Nasseri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Kaveh Haji-Allahverdipoor
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Neda Rostami
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Yaeren Hernandez
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Safa Najafi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Neda Saraygord-Afshari
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
| | - Arshad Hosseini
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran (E.C., M.M.G., N.S.-A., A.H.); Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (S.Z.); Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (S.N., K.H.-a.); Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Iran (N.R.); Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Y.H.); and Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran (S.N.)
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Guo L, Kong D, Liu J, Zhan L, Luo L, Zheng W, Zheng Q, Chen C, Sun S. Breast cancer heterogeneity and its implication in personalized precision therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36624542 PMCID: PMC9830930 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00363-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer heterogeneity determines cancer progression, treatment effects, and prognosis. However, the precise mechanism for this heterogeneity remains unknown owing to its complexity. Here, we summarize the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity and its influence on disease progression, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. We review the possible mechanisms of heterogeneity and the research methods used to analyze it. We also highlight the importance of cell interactions for the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity, which can be further categorized into cooperative and competitive interactions. Finally, we provide new insights into precise individual treatments based on heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liantao Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Ling Zhan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Lan Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 28 Guiyi Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Weijie Zheng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Qingyuan Zheng
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Shengrong Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
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Stella S, Martorana F, Massimino M, Vitale SR, Manzella L, Vigneri P. Potential Therapeutic Targets for Luminal Androgen Receptor Breast Cancer: What We Know so Far. Onco Targets Ther 2023; 16:235-247. [PMID: 37056632 PMCID: PMC10089148 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s379867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Luminal Androgen Receptor Breast Cancers (LAR BCs) are characterized by a triple negative phenotype and by the expression of Androgen Receptor (AR), coupled with luminal-like genomic features. This unique BC subtype, accounting for about 10% of all triple negative BC, has raised considerable interest given its ill-defined clinical behavior and the chance to exploit AR as a therapeutic target. The complexity of AR activity in BC cells, as revealed by decades of mechanistic studies, holds promise to offer additional therapeutic options beyond mere AR inhibition. Indeed, preclinical and translational evidence showed that several pathways and mediators, including PI3K/mToR, HER2, BRCA1, cell cycle and immune modulation, can be tackled in LAR BCs. Moving from bench to bedside, several clinical trials tested anti-androgen therapies in LAR BCs, but their results are inconsistent and often disappointing. More recently, studies exploring combinations of anti-androgen agents with other targeted therapies have been designed and are currently ongoing. While the results from these trials are awaited, a concerted effort will be needed to find the biological vulnerabilities of LAR BCs which may disclose new and effective therapeutic targets, eventually improving patients' outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Stella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: Stefania Stella, University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Via S. Sofia, 78, Edificio 8D/2, Catania, Italy, Tel +39 95 378 1946, Email ;
| | - Federica Martorana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Massimino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Rita Vitale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Livia Manzella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Vigneri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
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Tsang JY, Tse GM. Update on triple-negative breast cancers - highlighting subtyping update and treatment implication. Histopathology 2023; 82:17-35. [PMID: 36468263 DOI: 10.1111/his.14784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a major challenge in breast cancer management. Continuing research in the past years aimed at understanding the biology of this tumour and developing more effective therapeutic options. It is now clear that TNBC is vastly heterogeneous with diverse histological, molecular, immunological profiles and clinical differences. Current evidence suggested the existence of at least four predominant subtypes based on expression profiling across studies. These subtypes exhibited specific genomic alterations and tumour microenvironment. Subtype-specific therapeutic strategies were identified. Recognising these subtypes allows not only an improved prognostication but also a better treatment decision. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent findings on TNBC heterogeneity at different levels and corresponding subtyping. The characteristic of subtypes and the implication of these subtypings in therapeutic approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Y Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Gary M Tse
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Khadela A, Chavda VP, Soni S, Megha K, Pandya AJ, Vora L. Anti-Androgenic Therapies Targeting the Luminal Androgen Receptor of a Typical Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010233. [PMID: 36612226 PMCID: PMC9818775 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative tumors are progressively delineating their existence over the extended spectrum of breast cancers, marked by intricate molecular heterogeneity, a low overall survival rate, and an unexplored therapeutic approach. Although the basal subtype transcends the group and contributes approximately 80% to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases, the exceptionally appearing mesenchymal and luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtypes portray an unfathomable clinical course. LAR with a distinct generic profile frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes and bones. This subtype is minimally affected by chemotherapy and shows the lowest pathologic complete response. The androgen receptor is the only sex steroid receptor that plays a cardinal role in the progression of breast cancers and is typically overexpressed in LAR. The partial AR antagonist bicalutamide and the next-generation AR inhibitor enzalutamide are being assessed in standard protocols for the mitigation of TNBC. There arises an inevitable need to probe into the strategies that could neutralize these androgen receptors and alleviate the trajectory of concerning cancer. This paper thus focuses on reviewing literature that provides insights into the anti-androgenic elements against LAR typical TNBC that could pave the way for clinical advancements in this dynamic sphere of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Khadela
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Vivek P. Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
- Correspondence: (V.P.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Shruti Soni
- Pharm. D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Kaivalya Megha
- Pharm. D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Aanshi J. Pandya
- Pharm. D Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Lalitkumar Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
- Correspondence: (V.P.C.); (L.V.)
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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.
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Disease Behavior and Treatment Response of Special Histological Types of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Clin Breast Cancer 2022; 22:e892-e900. [PMID: 36130851 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Special histological types (SHT) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are a heterogeneous group of rare poorly understood diseases. We aimed to evaluate the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of patients with SHT of TNBC. METHODS We evaluated patients with a SHT of TNBC treated in a cancer center between 2009 and 2020. The endpoints were characterization of clinical and pathological features, pathologic complete response (PCR) rate after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS The 132 patients included had the following histologies: metaplastic (n=71), medullary pattern (n=14), lobular (n=12), adenoid cystic (n=12), apocrine (n=10), and others (n=13). Metaplastic, lobular, and medullary pattern tumors had higher grade (66.6-85.7% grade 3); adenoid cystic and apocrine had mainly grade 1-2 (70-83.3%). Metaplastic and lobular carcinomas had higher disease stages (47.8% and 58.2% stages III-IV). PCR rates were 10.3% for metaplastic and 33.3% for lobular carcinomas, with 5-year DFS rates of 56% and 51.4%. Medullary pattern carcinomas had a great response to treatment, with PCR rate of 100%, and 5-year DFS rate of 92.8%. Apocrine carcinomas also had favorable prognosis, with no recurrence after early disease treatment, and 5-year DFS rate of 83.3%. Adenoid cystic carcinomas had intermediate prognosis, with 5-year DFS rate of 66.6%. CONCLUSION SHT of TNBC encompasses heterogeneous malignancies with distinct behaviors. Lobular and metaplastic carcinomas showed high aggressiveness and poor treatment response, while medullary pattern and apocrine carcinomas had favorable outcomes. Treatment strategies focus on molecular features of each of these diseases are warranted.
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Passalacqua MI, Rizzo G, Santarpia M, Curigliano G. 'Why is survival with triple negative breast cancer so low? insights and talking points from preclinical and clinical research'. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:1291-1310. [PMID: 36522800 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2159805] [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: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple negative breast cancer is typically related to poor prognosis, early metastasis, and high recurrence rate. Intrinsic and extrinsic biological features of TNBC and resistance mechanisms to conventional therapies can support its aggressive behavior, characterizing TNBC how extremely heterogeneous. Novel combination strategies are under investigation, including immunotherapeutic agents, anti-drug conjugates, PARP inhibitors, and various targeting agents, exploring, in the meanwhile, possible predictive biomarkers to correctly select patients for the optimal treatment for their specific subtype. AREAS COVERED This article examines the main malignity characteristics across different subtype, both histological and molecular, and the resistance mechanisms, both primary and acquired, to different drugs explored in the landscape of TNBC treatment, that lead TNBC to still has high mortality rate. EXPERT OPINION The complexity of TNBC is not only the main reason of its aggressivity, but its heterogeneity should be exploited in terms of therapeutics opportunities, combining agents with different mechanism of action, after a correct selection by biologic or molecular biomarkers. The main goal is to understand what TNBC really is and to act selectively on its characteristics, with a personalized anticancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ilenia Passalacqua
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, Ieo, European Institute of Oncology Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology G Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Graziella Rizzo
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, Ieo, European Institute of Oncology Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology G Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Mariacarmela Santarpia
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology G Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, Ieo, European Institute of Oncology Irccs, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
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Qi X, Wan Z, Jiang B, Ouyang Y, Feng W, Zhu H, Tan Y, He R, Xie L, Li Y. Inducing ferroptosis has the potential to overcome therapy resistance in breast cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038225. [PMID: 36505465 PMCID: PMC9730886 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy among women. Due to the iron-dependent character of breast cancer cells, they are more sensitive to ferroptosis compared to normal cells. It is possible to reverse tumor resistance by inducing ferroptosis in breast cancer cells, thereby improving tumor treatment outcomes. Ferroptosis is highly dependent on the balance of oxidative and antioxidant status. When ferroptosis occurs, intracellular iron levels are significantly increased, leading to increased membrane lipid peroxidation and ultimately triggering ferroptosis. Ferroptotic death is a form of autophagy-associated cell death. Synergistic use of nanoparticle-loaded ferroptosis-inducer with radiotherapy and chemotherapy achieves more significant tumor suppression and inhibits the growth of breast cancer by targeting cancer tissues, enhancing the sensitivity of cells to drugs, reducing the drug resistance of cancer cells and the toxicity of drugs. In this review, we present the current status of breast cancer and the mechanisms of ferroptosis. It is hopeful for us to realize effective treatment of breast cancer through targeted ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Qi
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhixing Wan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Baohong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuhan Ouyang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjie Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yeru Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Rongfang He
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Liming Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Lee HJ, Kang SW, Lee JE, Jeong WG, Lee JS, Park MH, Lim HS. Malignant Apocrine Lesions of the Breast: Multimodality Imaging Findings and Biologic Features. J Breast Cancer 2022; 25:513-521. [PMID: 36479602 PMCID: PMC9807319 DOI: 10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The apocrine morphology of the breast is observed in a broad pathological spectrum, ranging from benign cysts to invasive carcinomas. However, the number of clinical research investigating malignant apocrine lesions is limited. This study retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with malignant apocrine lesions admitted in a tertiary center between January 2004 and December 2021, based on the radiology-pathology correlation and the recent advances in their status to enhance the therapeutic implications of androgen receptor (AR). Among the 37 patients with lesions, 27 (73.0%) had triple-negative subtypes with predominant AR expression. The radiological features of malignant apocrine lesions did not differ from those of typical invasive ductal carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ. This study demonstrated that knowledge on the imaging features of malignant apocrine lesions and their histological basis could enhance the adoption of new targeted therapies in patients with this particular type of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-jae Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung Wan Kang
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Won Gi Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Ji Shin Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Min Ho Park
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Hyo Soon Lim
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
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40
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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.
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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
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Jiang H, Ouyang Q, Yin Y, Tong Z, Shen K, Yuan Z, Geng C, Liu Y, Song G, Ran R, Li W, Qu Q, Wang M, Meng L, Tong Y, Li H. Proxalutamide in patients with AR-positive metastatic breast cancer: Results from an open-label multicentre phase Ib study and biomarker analysis. Eur J Cancer 2022; 176:1-12. [PMID: 36182805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM Proxalutamide is a novel second-generation non-steroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonist. This study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of proxalutamide in patients with AR-positive metastatic breast cancer (AR+ mBC). METHODS In this open-label, dose-expansion, multicentre phase Ib trial, patients with AR+ mBC (immunohistochemistry [IHC] ≥1%) received proxalutamide orally once daily. Two proxalutamide dose cohorts (cohort A: 200 mg; cohort B: 300 mg) were sequentially investigated. Primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) at 8 and 16 weeks and recommended phase II dose (RP2D). RESULTS Forty-five patients with three median lines (range, 1-13) prior systemic therapy were enrolled (cohort A, n = 30; cohort B, n = 15). Among 39 evaluable patients, DCR at 8 and 16 weeks was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9-39.4%), with 26.9% in cohort A and 23.1% in cohort B. No patient achieved partial response or complete response. Proxalutamide 200 mg/day was determined as RP2D. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 19.6% (95% CI, 10.2-37.5%). In the triple-negative subgroup, DCR at 8 weeks was 38.5%, with median PFS of 9.1 months (95% CI, 7.8-NA) in those who achieved response at 8 weeks (n = 5). Most common grade 3/4 adverse events were aspartate aminotransferase increase (8.9%) and γ-glutamyltransferase increase (8.9%). By biomarker analysis, patients with moderate AR expression of IHC (26%-75%), PIK3CA pathogenic mutations, or <60 ng/ml cell-free DNA yield showed longer PFS. CONCLUSION Proxalutamide showed promising anti-tumour activity with good tolerability in patients with heavily pretreated AR+ mBC, supporting further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION This clinical study was prospectively registered at chinadrugtrials.org.cn (Identifier: CTR20170757) and clinical trials.gov (Identifier: NCT04103853).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanfang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Quchang Ouyang
- Department of Breast Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Breast Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongshen Tong
- Department of Breast Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kunwei Shen
- Department of Breast Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongyu Yuan
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun-Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuizhi Geng
- Department of Breast Centre, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yaxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Guohong Song
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Ran
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Breast Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Qu
- Department of Breast Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiyu Wang
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Luping Meng
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Youzhi Tong
- Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Huiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
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Walsh EM, Gucalp A, Patil S, Edelweiss M, Ross DS, Razavi P, Modi S, Iyengar NM, Sanford R, Troso-Sandoval T, Gorsky M, Bromberg J, Drullinsky P, Lake D, Wong S, DeFusco PA, Lamparella N, Gupta R, Tabassum T, Boyle LA, Arumov A, Traina TA. Adjuvant enzalutamide for the treatment of early-stage androgen-receptor positive, triple-negative breast cancer: a feasibility study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 195:341-351. [PMID: 35986801 PMCID: PMC10506398 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06669-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A subset of TNBCs express the androgen receptor (AR), representing a potential new therapeutic target. This study assessed the feasibility of adjuvant enzalutamide, an AR antagonist, in early-stage, AR-positive (AR +) TNBC. METHODS This study was a single-arm, open-label, multicenter trial in which patients with stage I-III, AR ≥ 1% TNBC who had completed standard-of-care therapy were treated with enzalutamide 160 mg/day orally for 1 year. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of 1 year of adjuvant enzalutamide, defined as the treatment discontinuation rate of enzalutamide due to toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or other events related to tolerability. Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and genomic features of recurrent tumors. RESULTS Fifty patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty-five patients completed 1 year of therapy, thereby meeting the prespecified trial endpoint for feasibility. Thirty-two patients elected to continue with an optional second year of treatment. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events were uncommon. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year DFS were 94%, 92% , and 80%, respectively. Median OS has not been reached. CONCLUSION This clinical trial demonstrates that adjuvant enzalutamide is a feasible and well-tolerated regimen in patients with an early-stage AR + TNBC. Randomized trials in the metastatic setting may inform patient selection through biomarker development; longer follow-up is needed to determine the effect of anti-androgens on DFS and OS in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine M Walsh
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ayca Gucalp
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sujata Patil
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marcia Edelweiss
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dara S Ross
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pedram Razavi
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shanu Modi
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neil M Iyengar
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Sanford
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany Troso-Sandoval
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mila Gorsky
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bromberg
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela Drullinsky
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diana Lake
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Serena Wong
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Ranja Gupta
- Lehigh Valley Health Network Cancer Institute, Allentown, PA, USA
| | - Tasmila Tabassum
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leigh Ann Boyle
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Artavazd Arumov
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany A Traina
- Department of Medicine, Breast Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66thStreet, New York, NY, USA
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Zhang J, Xia Y, Zhou X, Yu H, Tan Y, Du Y, Zhang Q, Wu Y. Current landscape of personalized clinical treatments for triple-negative breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:977660. [PMID: 36188535 PMCID: PMC9523914 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.977660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC) with vicious behaviors. TNBC is usually associated with relatively poor clinical outcomes, earlier recurrence, and high propensity for visceral metastases than other BC types. TNBC has been increasingly recognized to constitute a very molecular heterogeneous subtype, which may offer additional therapeutic opportunities due to newly discovered cancer-causing drivers and targets. At present, there are multiple novel targeted therapeutic drugs in preclinical researches, clinical trial designs, and clinical practices, such as platinum drugs, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, immunocheckpoint inhibitors, androgen receptor inhibitors as well as PI3K/AKT/mTOR targeted inhibitors. These personalized, single, or combinational therapies based on molecular heterogeneity are currently showing positive results. The scope of this review is to highlight the latest knowledge about these potential TNBC therapeutic drugs, which will provide comprehensive insights into the personalized therapeutic strategies and options for combating TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhou
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Honghao Yu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufang Tan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaying Du
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yaying Du, ; Qi Zhang, ; Yiping Wu,
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yaying Du, ; Qi Zhang, ; Yiping Wu,
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yaying Du, ; Qi Zhang, ; Yiping Wu,
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Li Y, Zhang H, Merkher Y, Chen L, Liu N, Leonov S, Chen Y. Recent advances in therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:121. [PMID: 36038913 PMCID: PMC9422136 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01341-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC) with a poor prognosis. Current treatment options are limited to surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy; however, a proportion of patients have missed the surgical window at the time of diagnosis. TNBC is a highly heterogeneous cancer with specific mutations and aberrant activation of signaling pathways. Hence, targeted therapies, such as those targeting DNA repair pathways, androgen receptor signaling pathways, and kinases, represent promising treatment options against TNBC. In addition, immunotherapy has also been demonstrated to improve overall survival and response in TNBC. In this review, we summarize recent key advances in therapeutic strategies based on molecular subtypes in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Li
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Huajun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Yulia Merkher
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141700
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Sergey Leonov
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141700. .,Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia, 142290.
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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Garufi G, Carbognin L, Schettini F, Seguí E, Di Leone A, Franco A, Paris I, Scambia G, Tortora G, Fabi A. Updated Neoadjuvant Treatment Landscape for Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Immunotherapy, Potential Predictive Biomarkers, and Novel Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174064. [PMID: 36077601 PMCID: PMC9454536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, several agents have been tested in randomized clinical trials in addition to anthracycline and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to improve pathological complete response rate and, ultimately, survival outcome. Platinum agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and PARP-inhibitors are the most extensively studied, while established predictors of their efficacy are lacking. Based on the biological features of TNBC, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the role of platinum agents, immunotherapy, and novel target therapies in the neoadjuvant setting. Moreover, based on safety issues and financial costs, we provide an overview of potential biomarkers associated with increased likelihood of benefit from the addition of platinum, ICIs, and novel target therapies to NACT. Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of hormone receptor and HER2 expression, and therefore a lack of therapeutic targets. Anthracyclines and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy have historically been the cornerstone of treatment of early TNBC. However, genomic and transcriptomic analyses have suggested that TNBCs include various subtypes, characterized by peculiar genomic drivers and potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, several efforts have been made to expand the therapeutic landscape of early TNBC, leading to the introduction of platinum and immunomodulatory agents into the neoadjuvant setting. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the currently available evidence regarding platinum agents and immune-checkpoint-inhibitors for the neoadjuvant treatment of TNBC, as well as the novel target therapies that are currently being evaluated in this setting. Taking into account the economic issues and the side effects of the expanding therapeutic options, we focus on the potential efficacy biomarkers of the emerging therapies, in order to select the best therapeutic strategy for each specific patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Garufi
- Oncologia Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Oncologia Medica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Luisa Carbognin
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Schettini
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elia Seguí
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Di Leone
- Breast Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Franco
- Breast Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Ida Paris
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Oncologia Medica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Oncologia Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Oncologia Medica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabi
- Unit of Precision Medicine in Senology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (A.F.)
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Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the lack of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression and lacks HER2 overexpression or gene amplification. It accounts for 10–15% of incident breast cancers and carries the worst prognosis. TNBC is overrepresented among Black and pre-menopausal women and is associated with significant psychological and treatment-related burdens, including financial toxicity. Like other breast cancers, TNBC is biologically heterogeneous, leading to diverse clinical and epidemiological behaviors, however, unlike the other clinical subtypes, in TNBC we still lack tumor-specific targeted therapy. Early TNBC outcomes have improved due to the intensification of therapies, including improvements in polychemotherapy and the addition of immunotherapy. Future efforts are needed to identify targetable aberrations for specific drug therapy, prevent immune evasion, and increase social-economic support. Given that the name TNBC illustrates its lack of specifically targeted and effective therapy, we look forward to being able to retire the name in favor of a group of targetable entities within what is now called “TNBC”.
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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.
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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.
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Jinna N, Rida P, Smart M, LaBarge M, Jovanovic-Talisman T, Natarajan R, Seewaldt V. Adaptation to Hypoxia May Promote Therapeutic Resistance to Androgen Receptor Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168844. [PMID: 36012111 PMCID: PMC9408190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) surpasses other BC subtypes as the most challenging to treat due to its lack of traditional BC biomarkers. Nearly 30% of TNBC patients express the androgen receptor (AR), and the blockade of androgen production and AR signaling have been the cornerstones of therapies for AR-positive TNBC. However, the majority of women are resistant to AR-targeted therapy, which is a major impediment to improving outcomes for the AR-positive TNBC subpopulation. The hypoxia signaling cascade is frequently activated in the tumor microenvironment in response to low oxygen levels; activation of the hypoxia signaling cascade allows tumors to survive despite hypoxia-mediated interference with cellular metabolism. The activation of hypoxia signaling networks in TNBC promotes resistance to most anticancer drugs including AR inhibitors. The activation of hypoxia network signaling occurs more frequently in TNBC compared to other BC subtypes. Herein, we examine the (1) interplay between hypoxia signaling networks and AR and (2) whether hypoxia and hypoxic stress adaptive pathways promote the emergence of resistance to therapies that target AR. We also pose the well-supported question, “Can the efficacy of androgen-/AR-targeted treatments be enhanced by co-targeting hypoxia?” By critically examining the evidence and the complex entwinement of these two oncogenic pathways, we argue that the simultaneous targeting of androgen biosynthesis/AR signaling and hypoxia may enhance the sensitivity of AR-positive TNBCs to AR-targeted treatments, derail the emergence of therapy resistance, and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Jinna
- Department of Population Science, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | | | - Max Smart
- Rowland Hall, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
| | - Mark LaBarge
- Department of Population Science, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | | | - Rama Natarajan
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Victoria Seewaldt
- Department of Population Science, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence:
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Pinilla K, Drewett LM, Lucey R, Abraham JE. Precision Breast Cancer Medicine: Early Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer-A Review of Molecular Characterisation, Therapeutic Targets and Future Trends. Front Oncol 2022; 12:866889. [PMID: 36003779 PMCID: PMC9393396 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.866889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalised approaches to the management of all solid tumours are increasing rapidly, along with wider accessibility for clinicians. Advances in tumour characterisation and targeted therapies have placed triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) at the forefront of this approach. TNBC is a highly heterogeneous disease with various histopathological features and is driven by distinct molecular alterations. The ability to tailor individualised and effective treatments for each patient is of particular importance in this group due to the high risk of distant recurrence and death. The mainstay of treatment across all subtypes of TNBC has historically been cytotoxic chemotherapy, which is often associated with off-target tissue toxicity and drug resistance. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is commonly used as it allows close monitoring of early treatment response and provides valuable prognostic information. Patients who achieve a complete pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are known to have significantly improved long-term outcomes. Conversely, poor responders face a higher risk of relapse and death. The identification of those subgroups that are more likely to benefit from breakthroughs in the personalised approach is a challenge of the current era where several targeted therapies are available. This review presents an overview of contemporary practice, and promising future trends in the management of early TNBC. Platinum chemotherapy, DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, inhibitors of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and androgen receptor (AR) pathways are some of the increasingly studied therapies which will be reviewed. We will also discuss the growing evidence for less-developed agents and predictive biomarkers that are likely to contribute to the forthcoming advances in this field. Finally, we will propose a framework for the personalised management of TNBC based upon the integration of clinico-pathological and molecular features to ensure that long-term outcomes are optimised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Pinilla
- Precision Breast Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lynsey M. Drewett
- Precision Breast Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Lucey
- Precision Breast Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jean E. Abraham
- Precision Breast Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Capici S, Ammoni LC, Meli N, Cogliati V, Pepe FF, Piazza F, Cazzaniga ME. Personalised Therapies for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: When Target Is Not Everything. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153729. [PMID: 35954393 PMCID: PMC9367432 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The purpose of the present review is to shed light on new molecular biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), showing emerging therapeutic approaches related to specific molecular signatures and their mechanisms of action. A general overview of ongoing clinical trials, future perspectives and differences in approval by American and European regulatory authorities is provided. Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer—defined by the absence of oestrogen/progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression—is a complex and heterogeneous type of tumour characterised by poor prognosis, aggressive behaviour and lack of effective therapeutic strategies. The identification of new biomarkers and molecular signatures is leading to development of new therapeutic strategies including immunotherapy, targeted therapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Against a background where chemotherapy has always been considered the standard of care, evolution towards a precision medicine approach could improve TNBC clinical practice in a complex scenario, with many therapeutic options and new drugs. The aim of this review was to focus on emerging therapeutic targets and their related specific therapy, discussing available and emerging drugs, underlining differences in approval by American and European regulatory authorities and showing the future perspective in the large number of ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Capici
- Phase 1 Research Centre, ASST-Monza (MB), 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (V.C.); (F.F.P.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Luca Carlofrancesco Ammoni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.M.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicole Meli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Viola Cogliati
- Phase 1 Research Centre, ASST-Monza (MB), 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (V.C.); (F.F.P.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Francesca Fulvia Pepe
- Phase 1 Research Centre, ASST-Monza (MB), 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (V.C.); (F.F.P.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Francesca Piazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Marina Elena Cazzaniga
- Phase 1 Research Centre, ASST-Monza (MB), 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (V.C.); (F.F.P.); (M.E.C.)
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (N.M.); (F.P.)
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