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Guo Q, Jin Y, Lin M, Zeng C, Zhang J. NF-κB signaling in therapy resistance of breast cancer: Mechanisms, approaches, and challenges. Life Sci 2024; 348:122684. [PMID: 38710275 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122684] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy are all effective in destroying tumor cells, but they also activate the defense and protection systems of cancer cells, leading to treatment resistance. Breast cancer is characterized by a highly inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The NF-κB pathway is essential for connecting inflammation and cancer, as well as for tumor growth and therapy resistance. An increase in NF-κB signaling boosts the growth potential of breast cancer cells and facilitates the spread of tumors to bone, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy induce breast cancer resistance through NF-κB signaling. Additionally, we investigate therapeutic regimens, including single agents or in combination with target inhibitors, plant extracts, nanomedicines, and miRNAs, that have been reported in clinical trials, in vivo, and in vitro to reverse resistance. In particular, NF-κB inhibitors combined with tamoxifen were shown to significantly increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Combination therapy of miRNA-34a with doxorubicin was also found to synergistically inhibit the progression of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting Notch/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizi Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxi Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Wang Y, Wang R, Zhao Y, Cao S, Li C, Wu Y, Ma L, Liu Y, Yao Y, Jiao Y, Chen Y, Liu S, Zhang K, Wei M, Yang C, Yang G. Discovery of Selective and Potent ATR Degrader for Exploration its Kinase-Independent Functions in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318568. [PMID: 38433368 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318568] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
ATR has emerged as a promising target for anti-cancer drug development. Several potent ATR inhibitors are currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials, but none have yet received FDA approval due to unclear regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we discovered a potent and selective ATR degrader. Its kinase-independent regulatory functions in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells were elucidated using this proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecule as a probe. The ATR degrader, 8 i, exhibited significantly different cellular phenotypes compared to the ATR kinase inhibitor 1. Mechanistic studies revealed that ATR deletion led to breakdown in the nuclear envelope, causing genome instability and extensive DNA damage. This would increase the expression of p53 and triggered immediately p53-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway, which was earlier and more effective than ATR kinase inhibition. Based on these findings, the in vivo anti-proliferative effects of ATR degrader 8 i were assessed using xenograft models. The degrader significantly inhibited the growth of AML cells in vivo, unlike the ATR inhibitor. These results suggest that the marked anti-AML activity is regulated by the kinase-independent functions of the ATR protein. Consequently, developing potent and selective ATR degraders could be a promising strategy for treating AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Ruonan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yanli Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Cao
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
- College of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, 277160, China
| | - Chen Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yanjie Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Lan Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yuhong Yao
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yue Jiao
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yukun Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Shuangwei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Kun Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Mingming Wei
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Guang Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
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Capela AM, Tavares-Marcos C, Estima-Arede HF, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. NORAD-Regulated Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:636. [PMID: 38339387 PMCID: PMC10854850 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030636] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) has recently been associated with pathologic mechanisms underlying cancer progression. Due to NORAD's extended range of interacting partners, there has been contradictory data on its oncogenic or tumor suppressor roles in BC. This review will summarize the function of NORAD in different BC subtypes and how NORAD impacts crucial signaling pathways in this pathology. Through the preferential binding to pumilio (PUM) proteins PUM1 and PUM2, NORAD has been shown to be involved in the control of cell cycle, angiogenesis, mitosis, DNA replication and transcription and protein translation. More recently, NORAD has been associated with PUM-independent roles, accomplished by interacting with other ncRNAs, mRNAs and proteins. The intricate network of NORAD-mediated signaling pathways may provide insights into the potential design of novel unexplored strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance in BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.C.); (C.T.-M.); (H.F.E.-A.)
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.C.); (C.T.-M.); (H.F.E.-A.)
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Al-Zeheimi N, Gao Y, Greer PA, Adham SA. Neuropilin-1 Knockout and Rescue Confirms Its Role to Promote Metastasis in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097792. [PMID: 37175499 PMCID: PMC10178772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) metastasis remains a leading cause of female mortality. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a glycoprotein receptor that plays ligand-dependent roles in BC. Clinical studies indicate its correlation with metastatic disease; however, its functional role in BC metastasis remains uncertain. CRISPR-Cas9 was used to knockout the NRP-1 gene in MDA-MB-231 BC cells, and the effects on metastasis were determined using an orthotopic mouse engraftment model. NRP-1 expression in knockout cells was rescued using a recombinant cDNA with a silent mutation in the sgRNA target-adjacent PAM sequence. Differentially expressed genes between NRP-1 knockout and control cells were determined using whole-transcriptome sequencing and validated using real-time PCR. NRP-1KO cells showed a pronounced reduction in the metastasis to the lungs. KEGG pathway analysis of the transcriptome data revealed that PI3K and ECM receptor interactions were among the top altered pathways in the NRP-1KO cells. In addition, reduction in metastasis enhancers proteins, Integrin-β3 and Tenascin-C, and genes CCL20 and FN1 and upregulation of metastasis suppressor genes, ACVRL and GPX3 in NRP-1KO were detected. These findings provide evidence for a functional role for NRP-1 in BC metastasis, supporting further exploration of NRP-1 and the identified genes as targets in treating metastatic BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Al-Zeheimi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Peter A Greer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sirin A Adham
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
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Al‐Zeheimi N, Adham SA. Modeling Neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistance in vitro increased NRP-1 and HER2 expression and converted MCF7 breast cancer subtype. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2024-2041. [PMID: 31883395 PMCID: PMC7161552 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with locally advanced breast cancer usually receive third-generation neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Although NAC treatment improved the overall survival, patients' response varies, some acquire resistance and others exhibit a conversion in their breast cancer molecular subtype. We aimed to identify the molecular changes involved in NAC resistance attempting to find new therapeutic targets in different breast cancer subtypes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We modelled NAC treatments used in clinical practice and generated resistant cell lines in vitro. The resistant cells were generated by consecutive treatment with four cycles of doxorubicin (adriamycin)/cyclophosphamide (4xAC) followed by an additional four cycles of paclitaxel (4xAC + 4xPAC). KEY RESULTS Our data revealed distinct mechanisms of resistance depending on breast cancer subtype and drugs used. MDA-MB-231 cells resistant to 4xAC + 4xPAC activated neuropilin-1/TNC/integrin β3/FAK/NF-κBp65 axis and displayed a decrease in breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCB2). However, MCF7 cells resistant to 4xAC treatments induced HER2 expression, which converted MCF7 subtype from luminal A to luminal B HER2 type, up-regulated neuropilin-1, oestrogen receptor-α, and EGFR, and activated PI3K/Akt/NF-κBp65 axis. However, MCF7 cells resistant to 4xAC + 4xPAC exhibited down-regulation of the survival axis and up-regulated BCRP/ABCG2. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated a novel interaction between HER2 and neuropilin-1 driving the resistance features. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The concurrent increase in neuropilin-1 and HER2 upon resistance and the inverse relationship between neuropilin-1 and BCRP/ABCG2 suggest that, in addition to HER2, neuropilin-1 status should be assessed in patients undergoing NAC, and as a potential drug target for refractory breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Al‐Zeheimi
- Department of Biology, College of ScienceSultan Qaboos UniversityMuscatOman
| | - Sirin A. Adham
- Department of Biology, College of ScienceSultan Qaboos UniversityMuscatOman
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