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Elia A, Pataccini G, Saldain L, Ambrosio L, Lanari C, Rojas P. Antiprogestins for breast cancer treatment: We are almost ready. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 241:106515. [PMID: 38554981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The development of antiprogestins was initially a gynecological purpose. However, since mifepristone was developed, its application for breast cancer treatment was immediately proposed. Later, new compounds with lower antiglucocorticoid and antiandrogenic effects were developed to be applied to different pathologies, including breast cancer. We describe herein the studies performed in the breast cancer field with special focus on those reported in recent years, ranging from preclinical biological models to those carried out in patients. We highlight the potential use of antiprogestins in breast cancer prevention in women with BRCA1 mutations, and their use for breast cancer treatment, emphasizing the need to elucidate which patients will respond. In this sense, the PR isoform ratio has emerged as a possible tool to predict antiprogestin responsiveness. The effects of combined treatments of antiprogestins together with other drugs currently used in the clinic, such as tamoxifen, CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors or pembrolizumab in preclinical models is discussed since it is in this scenario that antiprogestins will be probably introduced. Finally, we explain how transcriptomic or proteomic studies, that were carried out in different luminal breast cancer models and in breast cancer samples that responded or were predicted to respond to the antiprogestin therapy, show a decrease in proliferative pathways. Deregulated pathways intrinsic of each model are discussed, as well as how these analyses may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Elia
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Pataccini
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leo Saldain
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luisa Ambrosio
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Lanari
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Rojas
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2
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Focaccetti C, Nardozi D, Benvenuto M, Lucarini V, Angiolini V, Carrano R, Scimeca M, Servadei F, Mauriello A, Mancini P, Besharat ZM, Milella M, Migliaccio S, Ferretti E, Cifaldi L, Masuelli L, Palumbo C, Bei R. Bisphenol-A in Drinking Water Accelerates Mammary Cancerogenesis and Favors an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in BALB- neuT Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6259. [PMID: 38892447 PMCID: PMC11172679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116259] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic compound ubiquitously present in the environment, can act as an endocrine disruptor by binding to both canonical and non-canonical estrogen receptors (ERs). Exposure to BPA has been linked to various cancers, in particular, those arising in hormone-targeted tissues such as the breast. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BPA intake through drinking water on ErbB2/neu-driven cancerogenesis in BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for a mutated ErbB2/neu receptor gene, which reproducibly develop carcinomas in all mammary glands. In this model, BPA accelerated mammary cancerogenesis with an increase in the number of tumors per mouse and a concurrent decrease in tumor-free and overall survival. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, BALB-neuT tumors were ER-negative but expressed high levels of the alternative estrogen receptor GPR30, regardless of BPA exposure. On the other hand, BPA exposure resulted in a marked upregulation of progesterone receptors in preinvasive tumors and of Ki67, CD31, and phosphorylated Akt in invasive tumors. Moreover, based on several infiltration markers of immune cells, BPA favored an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, in vitro cell survival studies performed on a cell line established from a BALB-neuT breast carcinoma confirmed that BPA's impact on cancer progression can be particularly relevant after chronic, low-dose exposure.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Benzhydryl Compounds
- Phenols
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Female
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Receptors, Estrogen/genetics
- Drinking Water
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mice, Transgenic
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/genetics
- Carcinogenesis/chemically induced
- Carcinogenesis/drug effects
- Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Daniela Nardozi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Valeria Lucarini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Valentina Angiolini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Raffaele Carrano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (F.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Francesca Servadei
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (F.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (F.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Patrizia Mancini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Zein Mersini Besharat
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Michele Milella
- Department of Oncology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Silvia Migliaccio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.N.); (V.L.); (V.A.); (P.M.); (Z.M.B.); (S.M.); (E.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Camilla Palumbo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (M.B.); (R.C.); (L.C.); (C.P.)
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3
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Keigley QJ, Fowler AM, O'Brien SR, Dehdashti F. Molecular Imaging of Steroid Receptors in Breast Cancer. Cancer J 2024; 30:142-152. [PMID: 38753748 PMCID: PMC11101139 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000715] [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] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Steroid receptors regulate gene expression for many important physiologic functions and pathologic processes. Receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen have been extensively studied in breast cancer, and their expression provides prognostic information as well as targets for therapy. Noninvasive imaging utilizing positron emission tomography and radiolabeled ligands targeting these receptors can provide valuable insight into predicting treatment efficacy, staging whole-body disease burden, and identifying heterogeneity in receptor expression across different metastatic sites. This review provides an overview of steroid receptor imaging with a focus on breast cancer and radioligands for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinton J Keigley
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | | | - Sophia R O'Brien
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Farrokh Dehdashti
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
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4
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Yang Z, Chen H, Yin S, Mo H, Chai F, Luo P, Li Y, Ma L, Yi Z, Sun Y, Chen Y, Wu J, Wang W, Yin T, Zhu J, Shi C, Zhang F. PGR-KITLG signaling drives a tumor-mast cell regulatory feedback to modulate apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2024; 589:216795. [PMID: 38556106 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216795] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The immune microenvironment constructed by tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the molecular phenotype defined by hormone receptors (HRs) have been implicated as decisive factors in the regulation of breast cancer (BC) progression. Here, we found that the infiltration of mast cells (MCs) informed impaired prognoses in HR(+) BC but predicted improved prognoses in HR(-) BC. However, molecular features of MCs in different BC remain unclear. We next discovered that HR(-) BC cells were prone to apoptosis under the stimulation of MCs, whereas HR(+) BC cells exerted anti-apoptotic effects. Mechanistically, in HR(+) BC, the KIT ligand (KITLG), a major mast cell growth factor in recruiting and activating MCs, could be transcriptionally upregulated by the progesterone receptor (PGR), and elevate the production of MC-derived granulin (GRN). GRN attenuates TNFα-induced apoptosis in BC cells by competitively binding to TNFR1. Furthermore, disruption of PGR-KITLG signaling by knocking down PGR or using the specific KITLG-cKIT inhibitor iSCK03 potently enhanced the sensitivity of HR(+) BC cells to MC-induced apoptosis and exerted anti-tumor activity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that PGR-KITLG signaling in BC cells preferentially induces GRN expression in MCs to exert anti-apoptotic effects, with potential value in developing precision medicine approaches for diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China; Graduate School of Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hongdan Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Supeng Yin
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Hongbiao Mo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Fan Chai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Le Ma
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ziying Yi
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yizeng Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Weihua Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Tingjie Yin
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Junping Zhu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Chunmeng Shi
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China; Graduate School of Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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5
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Hancock GR, Gertz J, Jeselsohn R, Fanning SW. Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mutations, Truncations, Heterodimers, and Therapies. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae051. [PMID: 38643482 PMCID: PMC11075793 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae051] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Annual breast cancer (BCa) deaths have declined since its apex in 1989 concomitant with widespread adoption of hormone therapies that target estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), the prominent nuclear receptor expressed in ∼80% of BCa. However, up to ∼50% of patients who are ER+ with high-risk disease experience post endocrine therapy relapse and metastasis to distant organs. The vast majority of BCa mortality occurs in this setting, highlighting the inadequacy of current therapies. Genomic abnormalities to ESR1, the gene encoding ERα, emerge under prolonged selective pressure to enable endocrine therapy resistance. These genetic lesions include focal gene amplifications, hotspot missense mutations in the ligand binding domain, truncations, fusions, and complex interactions with other nuclear receptors. Tumor cells utilize aberrant ERα activity to proliferate, spread, and evade therapy in BCa as well as other cancers. Cutting edge studies on ERα structural and transcriptional relationships are being harnessed to produce new therapies that have shown benefits in patients with ESR1 hotspot mutations. In this review we discuss the history of ERα, current research unlocking unknown aspects of ERα signaling including the structural basis for receptor antagonism, and future directions of ESR1 investigation. In addition, we discuss the development of endocrine therapies from their inception to present day and survey new avenues of drug development to improve pharmaceutical profiles, targeting, and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govinda R Hancock
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60513, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60513, USA
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6
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Wang D, Yang Y, Yang L, Yang H. Bibliometric analysis and visualization of endocrine therapy for breast cancer research in the last two decade. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1287101. [PMID: 38116321 PMCID: PMC10728495 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1287101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer endocrine therapy research has become a crucial domain in oncology since hormone receptor-positive breast cancers have been increasingly recognized, and targeted therapeutic interventions have been advancing over the past few years. This bibliometric analysis attempts to shed light on the trends, dynamics, and knowledge hotspots that have shaped the landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research between 2003 and 2022. Methods In this study, we comprehensively reviewed the scientific literature spanning the above-mentioned period, which included publications accessible through the database of the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Next, a systematic and data-driven analysis supported by sophisticated software tools was conducted, such that the core themes, prolific authors, influential journals, prominent countries, and critical citation patterns in the relevant research field can be clarified. Results A continuous and substantial expansion of breast cancer endocrine therapy research was revealed over the evaluated period. A total of 1,317 scholarly articles were examined. The results of the analysis suggested that research on endocrine therapy for breast cancer has laid a solid basis for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. From a geographical perspective, the US, the UK, and China emerged as the most active contributors, illustrating the global impact of this study. Furthermore, our analysis delineated prominent research topics that have dominated the discourse in the past two decades, including drug therapy, therapeutic efficacy, molecular biomarkers, and hormonal receptor interactions. Conclusion This comprehensive bibliometric analysis provides a panoramic view of the ever-evolving landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research. The findings highlight the trajectory of past developments while signifying an avenue of vast opportunities for future investigations and therapeutic advancements. As the field continues to burgeon, this analysis will provide valuable guidance for to researchers toward pertinent knowledge hotspots and emerging trends, which can expedite the discoveries in the realm of breast cancer endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hongwei Yang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
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7
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Diep CH, Mauro LJ, Lange CA. Navigating a plethora of progesterone receptors: Comments on the safety/risk of progesterone supplementation in women with a history of breast cancer or at high-risk for developing breast cancer. Steroids 2023; 200:109329. [PMID: 37884178 PMCID: PMC10842046 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109329] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone and progestin agonists are potent steroid hormones. There are at least three major types of progesterone receptor (PR) families that interact with and respond to progesterone or progestin ligands. These receptors include ligand-activated transcription factor isoforms (PR-A and PR-B) encoded by the PGR gene, often termed classical or nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR), membrane-spanning progesterone receptor membrane component proteins known as PGRMC1/2, and a large family of progestin/adipoQreceptors or PAQRs (also called membrane PRs or mPRs). Cross-talk between mPRs and nPRs has also been reported. The complexity of progesterone actions via a plethora of diverse receptors warrants careful consideration of the clinical applications of progesterone, which primarily include birth control formulations in young women and hormone replacement therapy following menopause. Herein, we focus on the benefits and risk of progesterone/progestin supplementation. We conclude that progesterone-only supplementation is considered safe for most reproductive-age women. However, women who currently have ER + breast cancer or have had such cancer in the past should not take sex hormones, including progesterone. Women at high-risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer, either due to their family history or known genetic factors (such as BRCA1/2 mutation) or hormonal conditions, should avoid exogenous sex hormones and proceed with caution when considering using natural hormones to mitigate menopausal symptoms and/or improve quality of life after menopause. These individuals are urged to consult with a qualified OB-GYN physician to thoroughly assess the risks and benefits of sex hormone supplementation. As new insights into the homeostatic roles and specificity of highly integrated rapid signaling and nPR actions are revealed, we are hopeful that the benefits of using progesterone use may be fully realized without an increased risk of women's cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline H Diep
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation) and Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Laura J Mauro
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation) and Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Carol A Lange
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation) and Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Huggins RJ, Greene GL. ERα/PR crosstalk is altered in the context of the ERα Y537S mutation and contributes to endocrine therapy-resistant tumor proliferation. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:96. [PMID: 38036546 PMCID: PMC10689488 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00601-7] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The constitutively active ESR1 Y537S mutation is associated with endocrine therapy (ET) resistance and progression of metastatic breast cancer through its effects on estrogen receptor (ERα) gene regulatory functions. However, the complex relationship between ERα and the progesterone receptor (PR), known as ERα/PR crosstalk, has yet to be characterized in the context of the ERα Y537S mutation. Using proximity ligation assays, we identify an increased physical interaction of ERα and PR in the context of the ERα Y537S mutation, including in the nucleus where this interaction may translate to altered gene expression. As such, more than 30 genes were differentially expressed in both patient tumor and cell line data (MCF7 and/or T47D cells) in the context of the ERα Y537S mutation compared to ERα WT. Of these, IRS1 stood out as a gene of interest, and ERα and PR occupancy at chromatin binding sites along IRS1 were uniquely altered in the context of ERα Y537S. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of IRS1 or treatment with the IRS1 inhibitor NT-157 had a significant anti-proliferative effect in ERα Y537S cell lines, implicating IRS1 as a potential therapeutic target for restoring treatment sensitivity to patients with breast cancers harboring ERα Y537S mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Huggins
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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9
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Will M, Liang J, Metcalfe C, Chandarlapaty S. Therapeutic resistance to anti-oestrogen therapy in breast cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:673-685. [PMID: 37500767 PMCID: PMC10529099 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00604-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The hormone receptor oestrogen receptor-α (ER) orchestrates physiological mammary gland development, breast carcinogenesis and the progression of breast tumours into lethal, treatment-refractory systemic disease. Selective antagonism of ER signalling has been one of the most successful therapeutic approaches in oncology, benefiting patients as both a cancer preventative measure and a cancer treatment strategy. However, resistance to anti-oestrogen therapy is a major clinical challenge. Over the past decade, we have gained an understanding of how breast cancers evolve under the pressure of anti-oestrogen therapy. This is best depicted by the case of oestrogen-independent mutations in the gene encoding ER (ESR1), which are virtually absent in primary breast cancer but highly prevalent (20-40%) in anti-oestrogen-treated metastatic disease. These and other findings highlight the 'evolvability' of ER+ breast cancer and the need to understand molecular processes by which this evolution occurs. Recent development and approval of next-generation ER antagonists to target ESR1-mutant breast cancer underscores the clinical importance of this evolvability and sets a new paradigm for the treatment of ER+ breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Will
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jackson Liang
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ciara Metcalfe
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Miziak P, Baran M, Błaszczak E, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Kałafut J, Smok-Kalwat J, Dmoszyńska-Graniczka M, Kiełbus M, Stepulak A. Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4689. [PMID: 37835383 PMCID: PMC10572081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in breast cancer (BC) and other hormone-sensitive cancers. In this review, we explore the mechanism of ER-dependent downstream signaling in BC and the role of estrogens as growth factors necessary for cancer invasion and dissemination. The significance of the clinical implications of ER signaling in BC, including the potential of endocrine therapies that target estrogens' synthesis and ER-dependent signal transmission, such as aromatase inhibitors or selective estrogen receptor modulators, is discussed. As a consequence, the challenges associated with the resistance to these therapies resulting from acquired ER mutations and potential strategies to overcome them are the critical point for the new treatment strategies' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Miziak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Marzena Baran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Ewa Błaszczak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Jolanta Smok-Kalwat
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, 3 Artwinskiego Street, 25-734 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Dmoszyńska-Graniczka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Michał Kiełbus
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Andrzej Stepulak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
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11
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Zuberi A, Huang Y, Dotts AJ, Wei H, Coon JS, Liu S, Iizuka T, Wu O, Sotos O, Saini P, Chakravarti D, Boyer TG, Dai Y, Bulun SE, Yin P. MED12 mutation activates the tryptophan/kynurenine/AHR pathway to promote growth of uterine leiomyomas. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e171305. [PMID: 37607000 PMCID: PMC10561729 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171305] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas cause heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pregnancy loss in millions of women worldwide. Driver mutations in the transcriptional mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gene in uterine myometrial cells initiate 70% of leiomyomas that grow in a progesterone-dependent manner. We showed a distinct chromatin occupancy landscape of MED12 in mutant MED12 (mut-MED12) versus WT-MED12 leiomyomas. Integration of cistromic and transcriptomics data identified tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) as the top mut-MED12 target gene that was significantly upregulated in mut-MED12 leiomyomas when compared with adjacent myometrium and WT-MED12 leiomyomas. TDO2 catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to kynurenine, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligand that we confirmed to be significantly elevated in mut-MED12 leiomyomas. Treatment of primary mut-MED12 leiomyoma cells with tryptophan or kynurenine stimulated AHR nuclear translocation, increased proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and induced AHR-target gene expression, whereas blocking the TDO2/kynurenine/AHR pathway by siRNA or pharmacological treatment abolished these effects. Progesterone receptors regulated the expression of AHR and its target genes. In vivo, TDO2 expression positively correlated with the expression of genes crucial for leiomyoma growth. In summary, activation of the TDO2/kynurenine/AHR pathway selectively in mut-MED12 leiomyomas promoted tumor growth and may inform the future development of targeted treatments and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azna Zuberi
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yongchao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ariel J. Dotts
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Helen Wei
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John S. Coon
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Shimeng Liu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Takashi Iizuka
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olivia Wu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Olivia Sotos
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Priyanka Saini
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Debabrata Chakravarti
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas G. Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Serdar E. Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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12
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Piryaei Z, Salehi Z, Ebrahimie E, Ebrahimi M, Kavousi K. Meta-analysis of integrated ChIP-seq and transcriptome data revealed genomic regions affected by estrogen receptor alpha in breast cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:219. [PMID: 37715225 PMCID: PMC10503144 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01655-z] [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] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The largest group of patients with breast cancer are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) type. The estrogen receptor acts as a transcription factor and triggers cell proliferation and differentiation. Hence, investigating ER-DNA interaction genomic regions can help identify genes directly regulated by ER and understand the mechanism of ER action in cancer progression. METHODS In the present study, we employed a workflow to do a meta-analysis of ChIP-seq data of ER+ cell lines stimulated with 10 nM and 100 nM of E2. All publicly available data sets were re-analyzed with the same platform. Then, the known and unknown batch effects were removed. Finally, the meta-analysis was performed to obtain meta-differentially bound sites in estrogen-treated MCF7 cell lines compared to vehicles (as control). Also, the meta-analysis results were compared with the results of T47D cell lines for more precision. Enrichment analyses were also employed to find the functional importance of common meta-differentially bound sites and associated genes among both cell lines. RESULTS Remarkably, POU5F1B, ZNF662, ZNF442, KIN, ZNF410, and SGSM2 transcription factors were recognized in the meta-analysis but not in individual studies. Enrichment of the meta-differentially bound sites resulted in the candidacy of pathways not previously reported in breast cancer. PCGF2, HNF1B, and ZBED6 transcription factors were also predicted through the enrichment analysis of associated genes. In addition, comparing the meta-analysis results of both ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data showed that many transcription factors affected by ER were up-regulated. CONCLUSION The meta-analysis of ChIP-seq data of estrogen-treated MCF7 cell line leads to the identification of new binding sites of ER that have not been previously reported. Also, enrichment of the meta-differentially bound sites and their associated genes revealed new terms and pathways involved in the development of breast cancer which should be examined in future in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Piryaei
- Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
- Laboratory of Complex Biological Systems and Bioinformatics (CBB), Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Salehi
- Laboratory of Complex Biological Systems and Bioinformatics (CBB), Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Genomics Research Platform, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mansour Ebrahimi
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kaveh Kavousi
- Laboratory of Complex Biological Systems and Bioinformatics (CBB), Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Bustamante Eduardo M, Keller I, Schuster N, Aebi S, Jaggi R. Molecular characterization of breast cancer cell pools with normal or reduced ability to respond to progesterone: a study based on RNA-seq. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:81. [PMID: 37550554 PMCID: PMC10406740 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00541-6] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About one-third of patients with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive breast cancer have tumors which are progesterone receptor (PR) negative. PR is an important prognostic factor in breast cancer. Patients with ERα-positive/PR-negative tumors have shorter disease-free and overall survival than patients with ERα-positive/PR-positive tumors. New evidence has shown that progesterone (P4) has an anti-proliferative effect in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. However, the role of PR in breast cancer is only poorly understood. METHODS We disrupted the PR gene (PGR) in ERα-positive/PR-positive T-47D cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. This resulted in cell pools we termed PR-low as P4 mediated effects were inhibited or blocked compared to control T-47D cells. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of PR-low and control T-47D cells in the absence of hormone and upon treatment with P4 alone or P4 together with estradiol (E2). Differentially expressed (DE) genes between experimental groups were characterized based on RNA-seq and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses. RESULTS The overall gene expression pattern was very similar between untreated PR-low and untreated control T-47D cells. More than 6000 genes were DE in control T-47D cells upon stimulation with P4 or P4 plus E2. When PR-low pools were subjected to the same hormonal treatment, up- or downregulation was either blocked/absent or consistently lower. We identified more than 3000 genes that were DE between hormone-treated PR-low and control T-47D cells. GO analysis revealed seven significantly enriched biological processes affected by PR and associated with G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways which have been described to support growth, invasiveness, and metastasis in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides new insights into the complex role of PR in ERα-positive/PR-positive breast cancer cells. Many of the genes affected by PR are part of central biological processes of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Bustamante Eduardo
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.
| | - Irene Keller
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Schuster
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Aebi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Jaggi
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Abstract
The steady, incremental improvements in outcomes for both early-stage and advanced breast cancer patients are, in large part, attributable to the success of novel systemic therapies. In this review, we discuss key conceptual paradigms that have underpinned this success including (1) targeting the driver: the identification and targeting of major oncoproteins in breast cancers; (2) targeting the lineage pathway: inhibition of those pathways that drive normal mammary epithelial cell proliferation that retain importance in cancer; (3) targeting precisely: the application of molecular classifiers to refine therapy selection for specific cancers, and of antibody-drug conjugates to pinpoint tumor and tumor promoting cells for eradication; and (4) exploiting synthetic lethality: leveraging unique vulnerabilities that cancer-specific molecular alterations induce. We describe promising examples of novel therapies that have been discovered within each of these paradigms and suggest how future drug development efforts might benefit from the continued application of these principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shom Goel
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, USA
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA
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15
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Huggins RJ, Hosfield D, Ishag-Osman A, Lee K, Ton-That E, Greene GL. Evaluating steroid hormone receptor interactions using the live-cell NanoBRET proximity assay. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.25.550078. [PMID: 37546915 PMCID: PMC10402027 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.25.550078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormone receptors play a crucial role in the development and characterization of the majority of breast cancers. These receptors canonically function through homodimerization, but physical interactions between different hormone receptors play a key role in cell functions as well. The estrogen receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR), for example, are involved in a complex set of interactions known as ERα/PR crosstalk. Here, we developed a valuable panel of nuclear receptor expression plasmids specifically for use in NanoBRET assays to assess nuclear receptor homo- and heterodimerization. We demonstrate the utility of this assay system by assessing ERα/PR physical interaction in the context of the endocrine therapy resistance-associated ERα Y537S mutation. We identify a role of the ERα Y537S mutation beyond that of constitutive activity of the receptor; it also increases ERα/PR crosstalk. In total, the NanoBRET assay provides a novel avenue for investigating hormone receptor crosstalk. Future research may use this system to assess the effects of other clinically significant hormone receptor mutations on hormone receptor crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Huggins
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David Hosfield
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amira Ishag-Osman
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Keemin Lee
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Elia Ton-That
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Geoffrey L. Greene
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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16
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Parent EE, Fowler AM. Nuclear Receptor Imaging In Vivo-Clinical and Research Advances. J Endocr Soc 2022; 7:bvac197. [PMID: 36655003 PMCID: PMC9838808 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that function in normal physiology and play important roles in diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Noninvasive imaging of nuclear receptors can be achieved using radiolabeled ligands and positron emission tomography (PET). This quantitative imaging approach can be viewed as an in vivo equivalent of the classic radioligand binding assay. A main clinical application of nuclear receptor imaging in oncology is to identify metastatic sites expressing nuclear receptors that are targets for approved drug therapies and are capable of binding ligands to improve treatment decision-making. Research applications of nuclear receptor imaging include novel synthetic ligand and drug development by quantifying target drug engagement with the receptor for optimal therapeutic drug dosing and for fundamental research into nuclear receptor function in cells and animal models. This mini-review provides an overview of PET imaging of nuclear receptors with a focus on radioligands for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor and their use in breast and prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim E Parent
- Mayo Clinic Florida, Department of Radiology, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Correspondence: Amy M. Fowler, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA.
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17
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Salem K, Reese RM, Alarid ET, Fowler AM. Progesterone Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Cellular Glucose and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Breast Cancer. J Endocr Soc 2022; 7:bvac186. [PMID: 36601022 PMCID: PMC9795483 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Positron emission tomography imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) is used clinically for initial staging, restaging, and assessing therapy response in breast cancer. Tumor FDG uptake in steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and physiologic FDG uptake in normal breast tissue can be affected by hormonal factors such as menstrual cycle phase, menopausal status, and hormone replacement therapy. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the progesterone receptor (PR) in regulating glucose and FDG uptake in breast cancer cells. Methods and Results PR-positive T47D breast cancer cells treated with PR agonists had increased FDG uptake compared with ethanol control. There was no significant change in FDG uptake in response to PR agonists in PR-negative MDA-MB-231 cells, MDA-MB-468 cells, or T47D PR knockout cells. Treatment of T47D cells with PR antagonists inhibited the effect of R5020 on FDG uptake. Using T47D cell lines that only express either the PR-A or the PR-B isoform, PR agonists increased FDG uptake in both cell types. Experiments using actinomycin D and cycloheximide demonstrated the requirement for both transcription and translation in PR regulation of FDG uptake. GLUT1 and PFKFB3 mRNA expression and the enzymatic activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were increased after progestin treatment of T47D cells. Conclusion Thus, progesterone and progestins increase FDG uptake in T47D breast cancer cells through the classical action of PR as a ligand-activated transcription factor. Ligand-activated PR ultimately increases expression and activity of proteins involved in glucose uptake, glycolysis, and the pentose phosphate pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley Salem
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Rebecca M Reese
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology and Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Elaine T Alarid
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology and Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53792, USA.,Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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18
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Vetter M, Stadlmann S, Bischof E, Georgescu Margarint EL, Schötzau A, Singer G, Heinzelmann-Schwarz V, Montavon C. Hormone Receptor Expression in Primary and Recurrent High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer and Its Implications in Early Maintenance Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214242. [PMID: 36430718 PMCID: PMC9692716 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy is an effective treatment for low-grade serous ovarian cancer. However, the role of estrogen and progesterone receptors as biomarkers for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is yet to be elucidated because not all estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive tumors benefit from anti-estrogen therapy. The degree of expression is presumed to play a vital role; however, that role is not well-defined in ovarian cancer. We aimed to determine the role of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in primary and paired relapsed HGSOC. In this study, primary and matched relapsed tumor samples were collected from 80 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage II-IV HGSOC. Tissue microarray was conducted and immunohistochemistry for estrogen and progesterone receptor expression was performed. Two independent pathologists performed the tissue microarray analysis with the Immunoreactive Score and Allred Total score. In the paired analysis, no significant difference in estrogen receptor expression was observed. However, progesterone receptor expression was significantly lower in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive HGSOC. We conclude that anti-estrogen therapy targeting estrogen receptor positive HGSOC could be administered in primary and relapsed settings. The use of endocrine maintenance with an aromatase inhibitor in patients with estrogen receptor positive HGSOC needs to be further evaluated and validated in a randomized controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Vetter
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, University Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Stadlmann
- Department of Pathology, Kantonsspital Baden AG, Im Ergel 1, 5404 Baden, Switzerland
| | - Evelyne Bischof
- Department of Basic and Clinical Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | | | - Andreas Schötzau
- Ovarian Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gad Singer
- Department of Pathology, Kantonsspital Baden AG, Im Ergel 1, 5404 Baden, Switzerland
| | - Viola Heinzelmann-Schwarz
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, University Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Ovarian Cancer Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Céline Montavon
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, University Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-(0)61-2652525; Fax: +41-(0)61-2659199
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19
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Ors A, Chitsazan AD, Doe AR, Mulqueen RM, Ak C, Wen Y, Haverlack S, Handu M, Naldiga S, Saldivar J, Mohammed H. Estrogen regulates divergent transcriptional and epigenetic cell states in breast cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11492-11508. [PMID: 36318267 PMCID: PMC9723652 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers are known to be driven by the transcription factor estrogen receptor and its ligand estrogen. While the receptor's cis-binding elements are known to vary between tumors, heterogeneity of hormone signaling at a single-cell level is unknown. In this study, we systematically tracked estrogen response across time at a single-cell level in multiple cell line and organoid models. To accurately model these changes, we developed a computational tool (TITAN) that quantifies signaling gradients in single-cell datasets. Using this approach, we found that gene expression response to estrogen is non-uniform, with distinct cell groups expressing divergent transcriptional networks. Pathway analysis suggested the two most distinct signatures are driven separately by ER and FOXM1. We observed that FOXM1 was indeed activated by phosphorylation upon estrogen stimulation and silencing of FOXM1 attenuated the relevant gene signature. Analysis of scRNA-seq data from patient samples confirmed the existence of these divergent cell groups, with the FOXM1 signature predominantly found in ER negative cells. Further, multi-omic single-cell experiments indicated that the different cell groups have distinct chromatin accessibility states. Our results provide a comprehensive insight into ER biology at the single-cell level and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aaron Reid Doe
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Ryan M Mulqueen
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Cigdem Ak
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Yahong Wen
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Syber Haverlack
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Mithila Handu
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Spandana Naldiga
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Joshua C Saldivar
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA,Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
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20
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Perkins MS, Louw-du Toit R, Jackson H, Simons M, Africander D. Upregulation of an estrogen receptor-regulated gene by first generation progestins requires both the progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor alpha. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:959396. [PMID: 36187129 PMCID: PMC9519895 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.959396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Progestins, synthetic compounds designed to mimic the activity of natural progesterone (P4), are used globally in menopausal hormone therapy. Although the older progestins medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone (NET) have been implicated in increased breast cancer risk, little is known regarding newer progestins, and no significant risk has been associated with P4. Considering that breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality in women, establishing which progestins increase breast cancer incidence and elucidating the underlying mechanisms is a global priority. We showed for the first time that the newer-generation progestin drospirenone (DRSP) is the least potent progestin in terms of proliferation of the estrogen-responsive MCF-7 BUS breast cancer cell line, while NET and P4 have similar potencies to estradiol (E2), the known driver of breast cancer cell proliferation. Notably, MPA, the progestin most frequently associated with increased breast cancer risk, was significantly more potent than E2. While all the progestogens enhanced the anchorage-independent growth of the MCF-7 BUS cell line, MPA promoted a greater number of colonies than P4, NET or DRSP. None of the progestogens inhibited E2-induced proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. We also showed that under non-estrogenic conditions, MPA and NET, unlike P4 and DRSP, increased the expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) target gene, cathepsin D, via a mechanism requiring the co-recruitment of ERα and the progesterone receptor (PR) to the promoter region. In contrast, all progestogens promoted the association of the PR and ERα on the promoter of the PR target gene, MYC, thereby increasing its expression under non-estrogenic and estrogenic conditions. These results suggest that progestins differentially regulate the way the PR and ER converge to modulate the expression of PR and ER-regulated genes. Our novel findings indicating similarities and differences between P4 and the progestins, emphasize the importance of comparatively investigating effects of individual progestins rather than grouping them as a class. Further studies are required to underpin the clinical relevance of PR/ERα crosstalk in response to different progestins in both normal and malignant breast tissue, to either confirm or refute their suitability in combination therapy for ER-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Donita Africander
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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21
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High Levels of Progesterone Receptor B in MCF-7 Cells Enable Radical Anti-Tumoral and Anti-Estrogenic Effect of Progestin. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081860. [PMID: 36009407 PMCID: PMC9405688 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The widely reported conflicting effects of progestin on breast cancer suggest that the progesterone receptor (PR) has dual functions depending on the cellular context. Cell models that enable PR to fully express anti-tumoral properties are valuable for the understanding of molecular determinant(s) of the anti-tumoral property. This study evaluated whether the expression of high levels of PR in MCF-7 cells enabled a strong anti-tumoral response to progestin. MCF-7 cells were engineered to overexpress PRB by stable transfection. A single dose of Promegestone (R5020) induced an irreversible cell growth arrest and senescence-associated secretory phenotype in MCF-7 cells with PRB overexpression (MCF-7PRB cells) but had no effect on MCF-7 cells with PRA overexpression. The growth-arresting effect was associated with downregulations of cyclin A2 and B1, CDK2, and CDK4 despite an initial upregulation of cyclin A2 and B1. R5020 also induced an evident activation of Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB) and upregulation of interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-8. Although R5020 caused a significant increase of CD24+CD44+ cell population, R5020-treated MCF-7PRB cells were unable to form tumorspheres and underwent massive apoptosis, which is paradoxically associated with marked downregulations of the pro-apoptotic proteins BID, BAX, PARP, and Caspases 7 and 8, as well as diminution of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2. Importantly, R5020-activated PRB abolished the effect of estrogen. This intense anti-estrogenic effect was mediated by marked downregulation of ERα and pioneer factor FOXA1, leading to diminished chromatin-associated ERα and FOXA1 and estrogen-induced target gene expression. In conclusion, high levels of agonist-activated PRB in breast cancer cells can be strongly anti-tumoral and anti-estrogenic despite the initial unproductive cell cycle acceleration. Repression of ERα and FOXA1 expression is a major mechanism for the strong anti-estrogenic effect.
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22
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Mauvais-Jarvis F, Lange CA, Levin ER. Membrane-Initiated Estrogen, Androgen, and Progesterone Receptor Signaling in Health and Disease. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:720-742. [PMID: 34791092 PMCID: PMC9277649 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rapid effects of steroid hormones were discovered in the early 1950s, but the subject was dominated in the 1970s by discoveries of estradiol and progesterone stimulating protein synthesis. This led to the paradigm that steroid hormones regulate growth, differentiation, and metabolism via binding a receptor in the nucleus. It took 30 years to appreciate not only that some cellular functions arise solely from membrane-localized steroid receptor (SR) actions, but that rapid sex steroid signaling from membrane-localized SRs is a prerequisite for the phosphorylation, nuclear import, and potentiation of the transcriptional activity of nuclear SR counterparts. Here, we provide a review and update on the current state of knowledge of membrane-initiated estrogen (ER), androgen (AR) and progesterone (PR) receptor signaling, the mechanisms of membrane-associated SR potentiation of their nuclear SR homologues, and the importance of this membrane-nuclear SR collaboration in physiology and disease. We also highlight potential clinical implications of pathway-selective modulation of membrane-associated SR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Southeast Louisiana Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, 70119, USA
| | - Carol A Lange
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ellis R Levin
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, 90822, USA
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23
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Xu L, Yuan Y, Che Z, Tan X, Wu B, Wang C, Xu C, Xiao J. The Hepatoprotective and Hepatotoxic Roles of Sex and Sex-Related Hormones. Front Immunol 2022; 13:939631. [PMID: 35860276 PMCID: PMC9289199 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most liver diseases, including acute liver injury, drug-induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, metabolic liver diseases, and end-stage liver diseases, are strongly linked with hormonal influences. Thus, delineating the clinical manifestation and underlying mechanisms of the “sexual dimorphism” is critical for providing hints for the prevention, management, and treatment of those diseases. Whether the sex hormones (androgen, estrogen, and progesterone) and sex-related hormones (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin) play protective or toxic roles in the liver depends on the biological sex, disease stage, precipitating factor, and even the psychiatric status. Lifestyle factors, such as obesity, alcohol drinking, and smoking, also drastically affect the involving mechanisms of those hormones in liver diseases. Hormones deliver their hepatic regulatory signals primarily via classical and non-classical receptors in different liver cell types. Exogenous sex/sex-related hormone therapy may serve as a novel strategy for metabolic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. However, the undesired hormone-induced liver injury should be carefully studied in pre-clinical models and monitored in clinical applications. This issue is particularly important for menopause females with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and transgender populations who want to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). In conclusion, basic and clinical studies are warranted to depict the detailed hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic mechanisms of sex/sex-related hormones in liver disease. Prolactin holds a promising perspective in treating metabolic and advanced liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Clinical Medicine Research Institute, Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaodi Che
- Clinical Medicine Research Institute, Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhi Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cunchuan Wang
- Clinical Medicine Research Institute, Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengfang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chengfang Xu, ; Jia Xiao,
| | - Jia Xiao
- Clinical Medicine Research Institute, Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chengfang Xu, ; Jia Xiao,
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24
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Mieczkowski K, Kitowska K, Braun M, Galikowska-Bogut B, Gorska-Arcisz M, Piasecka D, Stawiski K, Zaczek AJ, Nejc D, Kordek R, Romanska HM, Sadej R. FGF7/FGFR2-JunB signalling counteracts the effect of progesterone in luminal breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2823-2842. [PMID: 35726195 PMCID: PMC9348598 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)‐mediated signalling alters progesterone receptor (PR) activity and response of oestrogen receptor α (ER)‐positive (ER+) breast cancer (BCa) cell lines to anti‐ER agents. Little is known about whether the crosstalk between ER and PR, shown to be modulated by the hormonal background, might also be affected by FGFR2. Here, PR‐dependent behaviour of ER+ BCa cells was studied in the presence of oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) and/or FGF7. In vitro analyses showed that FGF7/FGFR2 signalling: (a) abolished the effect of P4 on E2‐promoted 3D cell growth and response to tamoxifen; (b) regulated ER and PR expression and activity; (c) increased formation of ER–PR complexes; and (d) reversed P4‐triggered deregulation of ER‐dependent genes. Analysis of clinical data demonstrated that the prognostic value of FGFR2 varied between patients with different menopausal status; that is, high expression of FGFR2 was significantly associated with longer progression‐free survival (PFS) in postmenopausal patients, whereas there was no significant association in premenopausal patients. FGFR2 was found to positively correlate with the expression of JunB proto‐oncogene, AP‐1 transcription factor subunit (JUNB), an ER‐dependent gene, only in premenopausal patients. Molecular analyses revealed that the presence of JunB was a prerequisite for FGFR2‐mediated abrogation of P4‐induced inhibition of cell growth. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the FGF7/FGFR2–JunB axis abolishes the modulatory effects of PR on ER‐associated biological functions in premenopausal ER+ BCa. This may provide foundations for a better selection of patients for FGFR‐targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Mieczkowski
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Kamila Kitowska
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marcin Braun
- Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Barbara Galikowska-Bogut
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Monika Gorska-Arcisz
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dominika Piasecka
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Konrad Stawiski
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna J Zaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Nejc
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Radzisław Kordek
- Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Hanna M Romanska
- Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafal Sadej
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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25
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Estrogen receptor positive breast cancers have patient specific hormone sensitivities and rely on progesterone receptor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3127. [PMID: 35668111 PMCID: PMC9170711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30898-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) signaling control breast development and impinge on breast carcinogenesis. ER is an established driver of ER + disease but the role of the PR, itself an ER target gene, is debated. We assess the issue in clinically relevant settings by a genetic approach and inject ER + breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells to the milk ducts of immunocompromised mice. Such ER + xenografts were exposed to physiologically relevant levels of 17-β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). We find that independently both premenopausal E2 and P4 levels increase tumor growth and combined treatment enhances metastatic spread. The proliferative responses are patient-specific with MYC and androgen receptor (AR) signatures determining P4 response. PR is required for tumor growth in patient samples and sufficient to drive tumor growth and metastasis in ER signaling ablated tumor cells. Our findings suggest that endocrine therapy may need to be personalized, and that abrogating PR expression can be a therapeutic option.
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26
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Bwayi MN, Garcia-Maldonado E, Chai SC, Xie B, Chodankar S, Huber AD, Wu J, Annu K, Wright WC, Lee HM, Seetharaman J, Wang J, Buchman CD, Peng J, Chen T. Molecular basis of crosstalk in nuclear receptors: heterodimerization between PXR and CAR and the implication in gene regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3254-3275. [PMID: 35212371 PMCID: PMC8989523 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The 48 human nuclear receptors (NRs) form a superfamily of transcription factors that regulate major physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that NR crosstalk can fundamentally change our understanding of NR biology, but detailed molecular mechanisms of crosstalk are lacking. Here, we report the molecular basis of crosstalk between the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), where they form a novel heterodimer, resulting in their mutual inhibition. PXR and CAR regulate drug metabolism and energy metabolism. Although they have been broadly perceived as functionally redundant, a growing number of reports suggests a mutual inhibitory relation, but their precise mode of coordinated action remains unknown. Using methods including RNA sequencing, small-angle X-ray scattering and crosslinking mass spectrometry we demonstrate that the mutual inhibition altered gene expression globally and is attributed to the novel PXR–CAR heterodimerization via the same interface used by each receptor to heterodimerize with its functional partner, retinoid X receptor (RXR). These findings establish an unexpected functional relation between PXR, CAR and RXR, change the perceived functional relation between PXR and CAR, open new perspectives on elucidating their role and designing approaches to regulate them, and highlight the importance to comprehensively investigate nuclear receptor crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monicah N Bwayi
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Efren Garcia-Maldonado
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Sergio C Chai
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Boer Xie
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Shirish Chodankar
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Andrew D Huber
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Kavya Annu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - William C Wright
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Hyeong-Min Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Jayaraman Seetharaman
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Jingheng Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Cameron D Buchman
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.,Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
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27
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La Greca A, Bellora N, Le Dily F, Jara R, Nacht AS, Quilez Oliete J, Villanueva JL, Vidal E, Merino G, Fresno C, Tarifa Reischle I, Vallejo G, Vicent GP, Fernández E, Beato M, Saragüeta P. Chromatin topology defines estradiol-primed progesterone receptor and PAX2 binding in endometrial cancer cells. eLife 2022; 11:66034. [PMID: 35018885 PMCID: PMC8887898 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen (E2) and Progesterone (Pg), via their specific receptors (ERalpha and PR), are major determinants in the development and progression of endometrial carcinomas, However, their precise mechanism of action and the role of other transcription factors involved are not entirely clear. Using Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells, we report that E2 treatment exposes a set of progestin-dependent PR binding sites which include both E2 and progestin target genes. ChIP-seq results from hormone-treated cells revealed a non-random distribution of PAX2 binding in the vicinity of these estrogen-promoted PR sites. Altered expression of hormone regulated genes in PAX2 knockdown cells suggests a role for PAX2 in fine-tuning ERalpha and PR interplay in transcriptional regulation. Analysis of long-range interactions by Hi-C coupled with ATAC-seq data showed that these regions, that we call ‘progestin control regions’ (PgCRs), exhibited an open chromatin state even before hormone exposure and were non-randomly associated with regulated genes. Nearly 20% of genes potentially influenced by PgCRs were found to be altered during progression of endometrial cancer. Our findings suggest that endometrial response to progestins in differentiated endometrial tumor cells results in part from binding of PR together with PAX2 to accessible chromatin regions. What maintains these regions open remains to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolás Bellora
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Institute of Nuclear Technologies for Health, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - François Le Dily
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Jara
- Biology and Experimental Medicine Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Enrique Vidal
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Merino
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cristóbal Fresno
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Griselda Vallejo
- Biology and Experimental Medicine Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Elmer Fernández
- Bioscience Data Mining Group, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Miguel Beato
- Gene Regulation, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
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28
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Ceccarelli I, Bioletti L, Peparini S, Solomita E, Ricci C, Casini I, Miceli E, Aloisi AM. Estrogens and phytoestrogens in body functions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:648-663. [PMID: 34890602 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens are the hormones of reproduction in women as well as of many other important functions in the male and female body. They undergo significant changes in the different phases of life, e.g. during puberty, pregnancy or at menopause/andropause. Phytoestrogens are natural non-steroidal phenolic plant compounds that can mimic the activity of estrogens and their beneficial effects in women and in men. This narrative review summarizes the literature on the physiological role of estrogens and the several potential health benefits of phytoestrogens, with particular attention given to the possible role of phytoestrogens in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Ceccarelli
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Bioletti
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sofia Peparini
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Erminia Solomita
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Comasia Ricci
- Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilenia Casini
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisangela Miceli
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Aloisi
- Department Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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29
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Xia Z, Xiao J, Chen Q. Solving the Puzzle: What Is the Role of Progestogens in Neovascularization? Biomolecules 2021; 11:1686. [PMID: 34827682 PMCID: PMC8615949 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian sex steroids can modulate new vessel formation and development, and the clarification of the underlying mechanism will provide insight into neovascularization-related physiological changes and pathological conditions. Unlike estrogen, which mainly promotes neovascularization through activating classic post-receptor signaling pathways, progesterone (P4) regulates a variety of downstream factors with angiogenic or antiangiogenic effects, exerting various influences on neovascularization. Furthermore, diverse progestins, the synthetic progesterone receptor (PR) agonists structurally related to P4, have been used in numerous studies, which could contribute to unequal actions. As a result, there have been many conflicting observations in the past, making it difficult for researchers to define the exact role of progestogens (PR agonists including naturally occurring P4 and synthetic progestins). This review summarizes available evidence for progestogen-mediated neovascularization under physiological and pathological circumstances, and attempts to elaborate their functional characteristics and regulatory patterns from a comprehensive perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; (Z.X.); (J.X.)
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30
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Seachrist DD, Anstine LJ, Keri RA. FOXA1: A Pioneer of Nuclear Receptor Action in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205205. [PMID: 34680352 PMCID: PMC8533709 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The pioneering function of FOXA1 establishes estrogen-responsive transcriptomes in luminal breast cancer. Dysregulated FOXA1 chromatin occupancy through focal amplification, mutation, or cofactor recruitment modulates estrogen receptor (ER) transcriptional programs and drives endocrine-resistant disease. However, ER is not the sole nuclear receptor (NR) expressed in breast cancers, nor is it the only NR for which FOXA1 serves as a licensing factor. Receptors for androgens, glucocorticoids, and progesterone are also found in the majority of breast cancers, and their functions are also impacted by FOXA1. These NRs interface with ER transcriptional programs and, depending on their activation level, can reprogram FOXA1-ER cistromes. Thus, NR interplay contributes to endocrine therapy response and resistance and may provide a vulnerability for future therapeutic benefit in patients. Herein, we review what is known regarding FOXA1 regulation of NR function in breast cancer in the context of cell identity, endocrine resistance, and NR crosstalk in breast cancer progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcie D. Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Lindsey J. Anstine
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ruth A. Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence:
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31
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Kumar S, Freelander A, Lim E. Type 1 Nuclear Receptor Activity in Breast Cancer: Translating Preclinical Insights to the Clinic. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4972. [PMID: 34638457 PMCID: PMC8507977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor (NR) family of transcription factors is intimately associated with the development, progression and treatment of breast cancer. They are used diagnostically and prognostically, and crosstalk between nuclear receptor pathways and growth factor signalling has been demonstrated in all major subtypes of breast cancer. The majority of breast cancers are driven by estrogen receptor α (ER), and anti-estrogenic therapies remain the backbone of treatment, leading to clinically impactful improvements in patient outcomes. This serves as a blueprint for the development of therapies targeting other nuclear receptors. More recently, pivotal findings into modulating the progesterone (PR) and androgen receptors (AR), with accompanying mechanistic insights into NR crosstalk and interactions with other proliferative pathways, have led to clinical trials in all of the major breast cancer subtypes. A growing body of evidence now supports targeting other Type 1 nuclear receptors such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as well as Type 2 NRs such as the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Here, we reviewed the existing preclinical insights into nuclear receptor activity in breast cancer, with a focus on Type 1 NRs. We also discussed the potential to translate these findings into improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Kumar
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia; (A.F.); (E.L.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
| | - Allegra Freelander
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia; (A.F.); (E.L.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia; (A.F.); (E.L.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
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Jean A, Mhaouty-Kodja S, Hardin-Pouzet H. Hypothalamic cellular and molecular plasticity linked to sexual experience in male rats and mice. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 63:100949. [PMID: 34687674 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Male sexual behavior is subject to learning, resulting in increased efficiency of experienced males compared to naive ones. The improvement in behavioral parameters is underpinned by cellular and molecular changes in the neural circuit controlling sexual behavior, particularly in the hypothalamic medial preoptic area. This review provides an update on the mechanisms related to the sexual experience in male rodents, emphasizing the differences between rats and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Jean
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Sakina Mhaouty-Kodja
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Hélène Hardin-Pouzet
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France.
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Kowalczyk W, Waliszczak G, Jach R, Dulińska-Litewka J. Steroid Receptors in Breast Cancer: Understanding of Molecular Function as a Basis for Effective Therapy Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4779. [PMID: 34638264 PMCID: PMC8507808 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains one of the most important health problems worldwide. The family of steroid receptors (SRs), which comprise estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR), glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors, along with a receptor for a secosteroid-vitamin D, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. They function predominantly as nuclear receptors to regulate gene expression, however, their full spectrum of action reaches far beyond this basic mechanism. SRs are involved in a vast variety of interactions with other proteins, including extensive crosstalk with each other. How they affect the biology of a breast cell depends on such factors as post-translational modifications, expression of coregulators, or which SR isoform is predominantly synthesized in a given cellular context. Although ER has been successfully utilized as a breast cancer therapy target for years, research on therapeutic application of other SRs is still ongoing. Designing effective hormone therapies requires thorough understanding of the molecular function of the SRs. Over the past decades, huge amount of data was obtained in multiple studies exploring this field, therefore in this review we attempt to summarize the current knowledge in a comprehensive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Kowalczyk
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (W.K.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Waliszczak
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (W.K.); (G.W.)
| | - Robert Jach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 23 Kopernika St., 31-501 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Joanna Dulińska-Litewka
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (W.K.); (G.W.)
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Kunc M, Popęda M, Biernat W, Senkus E. Lost but Not Least-Novel Insights into Progesterone Receptor Loss in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194755. [PMID: 34638241 PMCID: PMC8507533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PgR) are crucial prognostic and predictive biomarkers that are usually co-expressed in breast cancer (BC). However, 12-24% of BCs present ERα(+)/PgR(-) phenotype at immunohistochemical evaluation. In fact, BC may either show primary PgR(-) status (in chemonaïve tumor sample), lose PgR expression during neoadjuvant treatment, or acquire PgR(-) phenotype in local relapse or metastasis. The loss of PgR expression in ERα(+) breast cancer may signify resistance to endocrine therapy and poorer outcomes. On the other hand, ERα(+)/PgR(-) BCs may have a better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than double-positive tumors. Loss of PgR expression may be a result of pre-transcriptional alterations (copy number loss, mutation, epigenetic modifications), decreased transcription of the PGR gene (e.g., by microRNAs), and post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, sumoylation). Various processes involved in the down-regulation of PgR have distinct consequences on the biology of cancer cells. Occasionally, negative PgR status detected by immunohistochemical analysis is paradoxically associated with enhanced transcriptional activity of PgR that might be inhibited by antiprogestin treatment. Identification of the mechanism of PgR loss in each patient seems challenging, yet it may provide important information on the biology of the tumor and predict its responsiveness to the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Kunc
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (W.B.)
| | - Marta Popęda
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Biernat
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (W.B.)
| | - Elżbieta Senkus
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-584-4481
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Lewis JH, Cottu PH, Lehr M, Dick E, Shearer T, Rencher W, Bexon AS, Campone M, Varga A, Italiano A. Onapristone Extended Release: Safety Evaluation from Phase I-II Studies with an Emphasis on Hepatotoxicity. Drug Saf 2021; 43:1045-1055. [PMID: 32594454 PMCID: PMC7497701 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-020-00964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Antiprogestins have demonstrated promising activity against breast and gynecological cancers, but liver-related safety concerns limited the advancement of this therapeutic class. Onapristone is a full progesterone receptor antagonist originally developed as an oral contraceptive and later evaluated in phase II studies for metastatic breast cancer. Because of liver enzyme elevations identified during clinical studies, further development was halted. Evaluation of antiprogestin pharmacology and pharmacokinetic data suggested that liver enzyme elevations might be related to off-target or metabolic effects associated with clinical drug exposure. Objective We explored whether the use of a pharmaceutic strategy targeting efficacious systemic dose concentrations, but with diminished peak serum concentrations and/or total drug exposure would mitigate hepatotoxicity. Twice-daily dosing of an extended-release formulation of onapristone was developed and clinically evaluated in light of renewed interest in antiprogestin therapy for treating progesterone receptor-positive breast and gynecologic cancers. The hepatotoxic potential of extended-release onapristone was assessed from two phase I–II studies involving patients with breast, ovarian, endometrial, and prostate cancer. Results Among the 88 patients in two phase I–II studies in progesterone receptor-positive malignancies treated with extended-release onapristone, elevated alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels were found in 20% of patients with liver metastases compared with 6.3% without metastases. Of five patients with grade 3 or higher alanine aminotransferase elevations with or without bilirubin elevations (four with breast cancer and one with endometrial cancer), four were assessed as unrelated to extended-release onapristone by the safety data review committee. Furthermore, while the fifth patient’s liver enzyme elevations were considered possibly drug related by the study investigator, they were adjudicated as unlikely to be related (< 25% likelihood) by a subsequent independent hepatologist. Conclusions These results suggest that the extended-release formulation by reducing drug exposure may be associated with a reduced risk of hepatotoxicity, and supports the continued clinical evaluation of extended-release onapristone for treating progesterone receptor-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Lewis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.
| | - Paul H Cottu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Martin Lehr
- Context Therapeutics LLC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Evan Dick
- Context Therapeutics LLC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - William Rencher
- Context Therapeutics LLC, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Drug and Device Development Solutions LLC (D3S), Raleigh-Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Mario Campone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest-René Gauducheau, Nantes, France
| | - Andrea Varga
- Department of Drug Development (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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Ranjan M, Lee O, Cottone G, Mirzaei Mehrabad E, Spike BT, Zeng Z, Yadav S, Chatterton R, Kim JJ, Clare SE, Khan SA. Progesterone receptor antagonists reverse stem cell expansion and the paracrine effectors of progesterone action in the mouse mammary gland. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:78. [PMID: 34344445 PMCID: PMC8330021 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone (EP) are implicated in breast cancer causation. A specific consequence of progesterone exposure is the expansion of the mammary stem cell (MSC) and luminal progenitor (LP) compartments. We hypothesized that this effect, and its molecular facilitators, could be abrogated by progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists administered in a mouse model. Methods Ovariectomized FVB mice were randomized to 14 days of treatment: sham, EP, EP + telapristone (EP + TPA), EP + mifepristone (EP + MFP). Mice were then sacrificed, mammary glands harvested, and mammary epithelial cell lineages separated by flow cytometry using cell surface markers. RNA from each lineage was sequenced and differential gene expression was analyzed using DESeq. Quantitative PCR was performed to confirm the candidate genes discovered in RNA seq. ANOVA with Tukey post hoc analysis was performed to compare relative expression. Alternative splicing events were examined using the rMATs multivariate analysis tool. Results Significant increases in the MSC and luminal mature (LM) cell fractions were observed following EP treatment compared to control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), whereas the LP fraction was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). These hormone-induced effects were reversed upon exposure to TPA and MFP (p < 0.01 for both). Gene Ontology analysis of RNA-sequencing data showed EP-induced enrichment of several pathways, with the largest effect on Wnt signaling in MSC, significantly repressed by PR inhibitors. In LP cells, significant induction of Wnt4 and Rankl, and Wnt pathway intermediates Lrp2 and Axin2 (confirmed by qRTPCR) were reversed by TPA and MFP (p < 0.0001). Downstream signaling intermediates of these pathways (Lrp5, Mmp7) showed similar effects. Expression of markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Cdh1, Cdh3) and the induction of EMT regulators (Zeb1, Zeb2, Gli3, Snai1, and Ptch2) were significantly responsive to progesterone. EP treatment was associated with large-scale alternative splicing events, with an enrichment of motifs associated with Srsf, Esrp, and Rbfox families. Exon skipping was observed in Cdh1, Enah, and Brd4. Conclusions PR inhibition reverses known tumorigenic pathways in the mammary gland and suppresses a previously unknown effect of progesterone on RNA splicing events. In total, our results strengthen the case for reconsideration of PR inhibitors for breast cancer prevention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-021-01455-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Ranjan
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Oukseub Lee
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Gannon Cottone
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | | | - Benjamin T Spike
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Zexian Zeng
- Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Shivangi Yadav
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Robert Chatterton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Susan E Clare
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Seema A Khan
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Kamaraju S, Fowler AM, Weil E, Wisinski KB, Truong TH, Lehr M, Chaudhary LN, Cheng YC, Chitambar CR, Rui H, Yee D, Lange C. Leveraging Antiprogestins in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6178343. [PMID: 33735382 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although incurable, the prognosis for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has considerably improved with the approvals of multiple targeted and cytotoxic therapies. For hormone receptor-positive (HR+), ie, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive (ER+/PgR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (ie, ERBB2 gene nonamplified or HER2-) MBC, current approved treatment options include palliative endocrine therapy (ET), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK 4/6) inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and PI3 kinase inhibitors. Most treatments target ER+ disease regardless of PgR status. Although the presence of PgR is crucial for ER+ cell proliferation in both normal and malignant mammary tissue, currently, there are no approved treatments that specifically target PgR. Recent literature has demonstrated the potential of antiprogestins in the treatment of MBC both in preclinical and clinical studies. Antiprogestins, including selective PgR modulators (SPRMs) that act as PgR antagonists, are a promising class of therapeutics for overcoming endocrine resistance in patients who develop activating estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) gene mutations after prior endocrine therapy. Herein, we summarize the role of PgR and antiprogestins in the treatment of MBC. Other aspects on the use of functional imaging, clinical trials incorporating novel antiprogestins, and potential treatment combinations to overcome endocrine resistance will be briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailaja Kamaraju
- Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology Medical College of Wisconsin, Cancer Center, 4th Fl Administrative Offices, Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Elizabeth Weil
- Froedtert Health, Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Kari B Wisinski
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology Medical College of Wisconsin, Cancer Center, 4th Fl Administrative Offices, Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Thu H Truong
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Martin Lehr
- Context Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lubna N Chaudhary
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology Medical College of Wisconsin, Cancer Center, 4th Fl Administrative Offices, Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Yee Chung Cheng
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology Medical College of Wisconsin, Cancer Center, 4th Fl Administrative Offices, Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | - Hallgeir Rui
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Douglas Yee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carol Lange
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Paakinaho V, Palvimo JJ. Genome-wide crosstalk between steroid receptors in breast and prostate cancers. Endocr Relat Cancer 2021; 28:R231-R250. [PMID: 34137734 PMCID: PMC8345902 DOI: 10.1530/erc-21-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Steroid receptors (SRs) constitute an important class of signal-dependent transcription factors (TFs). They regulate a variety of key biological processes and are crucial drug targets in many disease states. In particular, estrogen (ER) and androgen receptors (AR) drive the development and progression of breast and prostate cancer, respectively. Thus, they represent the main specific drug targets in these diseases. Recent evidence has suggested that the crosstalk between signal-dependent TFs is an important step in the reprogramming of chromatin sites; a signal-activated TF can expand or restrict the chromatin binding of another TF. This crosstalk can rewire gene programs and thus alter biological processes and influence the progression of disease. Lately, it has been postulated that there may be an important crosstalk between the AR and the ER with other SRs. Especially, progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can reprogram chromatin binding of ER and gene programs in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, GR can take the place of AR in antiandrogen-resistant prostate cancer cells. Here, we review the current knowledge of the crosstalk between SRs in breast and prostate cancers. We emphasize how the activity of ER and AR on chromatin can be modulated by other SRs on a genome-wide scale. We also highlight the knowledge gaps in the interplay of SRs and their complex interactions with other signaling pathways and suggest how to experimentally fill in these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Paakinaho
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jorma J Palvimo
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Correspondence should be addressed to J J Palvimo:
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Mauro LJ, Seibel MI, Diep CH, Spartz A, Perez Kerkvliet C, Singhal H, Swisher EM, Schwartz LE, Drapkin R, Saini S, Sesay F, Litovchick L, Lange CA. Progesterone Receptors Promote Quiescence and Ovarian Cancer Cell Phenotypes via DREAM in p53-Mutant Fallopian Tube Models. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:1929-1955. [PMID: 33755733 PMCID: PMC8499172 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The ability of ovarian steroids to modify ovarian cancer (OC) risk remains controversial. Progesterone is considered to be protective; recent studies indicate no effect or enhanced OC risk. Knowledge of progesterone receptor (PR) signaling during altered physiology that typifies OC development is limited. OBJECTIVE This study defines PR-driven oncogenic signaling mechanisms in p53-mutant human fallopian tube epithelia (hFTE), a precursor of the most aggressive OC subtype. METHODS PR expression in clinical samples of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) lesions and high-grade serous OC (HGSC) tumors was analyzed. Novel PR-A and PR-B isoform-expressing hFTE models were characterized for gene expression and cell cycle progression, emboli formation, and invasion. PR regulation of the DREAM quiescence complex and DYRK1 kinases was established. RESULTS STICs and HGSC express abundant activated phospho-PR. Progestin promoted reversible hFTE cell cycle arrest, spheroid formation, and invasion. RNAseq/biochemical studies revealed potent ligand-independent/-dependent PR actions, progestin-induced regulation of the DREAM quiescence complex, and cell cycle target genes through enhanced complex formation and chromatin recruitment. Disruption of DREAM/DYRK1s by pharmacological inhibition, HPV E6/E7 expression, or DYRK1A/B depletion blocked progestin-induced cell arrest and attenuated PR-driven gene expression and associated OC phenotypes. CONCLUSION Activated PRs support quiescence and pro-survival/pro-dissemination cell behaviors that may contribute to early HGSC progression. Our data support an alternative perspective on the tenet that progesterone always confers protection against OC. STICs can reside undetected for decades prior to invasive disease; our studies reveal clinical opportunities to prevent the ultimate development of HGSC by targeting PRs, DREAM, and/or DYRKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Mauro
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota, Department of Animal Science, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Megan I Seibel
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Caroline H Diep
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Angela Spartz
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Hari Singhal
- Northwestern University, Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Swisher
- University of Washington Seattle, Dept Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Lauren E Schwartz
- University of Pennsylvania, Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- University of Pennsylvania, Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Dept Obstetrics & Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Siddharth Saini
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Dept. Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Care, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Fatmata Sesay
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Dept. Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Care, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Larisa Litovchick
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Dept. Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Care, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Carol A Lange
- University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- University of Minnesota, Dept Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology & Transplantation, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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40
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Progesterone receptors in normal breast development and breast cancer. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:951-969. [PMID: 34061163 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone receptors (PR) play a pivotal role in many female reproductive tissues such as the uterus, the ovary, and the mammary gland (MG). Moreover, PR play a key role in breast cancer growth and progression. This has led to the development and study of different progestins and antiprogestins, many of which are currently being tested in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Recent reviews have addressed the role of PR in MG development, carcinogenesis, and breast cancer growth. Thus, in this review, in addition to making an overview on PR action in normal and tumor breast, the focus has been put on highlighting the still unresolved topics on hormone treatment involving PR isoforms and breast cancer prognosis.
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Bernhardt SM, Dasari P, Glynn DJ, Townsend AR, Price TJ, Ingman WV. Comparison of hormone-induced mRNA and protein biomarker expression changes in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2021; 187:681-693. [PMID: 34057651 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-021-06254-z] [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: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Protein biomarkers estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and marker of proliferation (Ki67) are routinely assessed by immunohistochemistry to guide treatment decisions for breast cancer. Now, quantification of mRNA encoding these proteins is being adopted in the clinic. However, mRNA and protein biomarkers may be differentially regulated by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone that occur across the menstrual cycle in premenopausal breast cancer patients. This study aimed to compare how estrogen and progesterone affect mRNA and protein biomarker expression in hormone-responsive breast cancer cells. METHODS Hormone-responsive ZR-75-1 and T-47D human breast cancer cell lines were xenografted into the mammary fat pad of BALB/c nude mice supplemented with estrogen. Progesterone or vehicle was administered prior to dissection of tumors. Protein expression of ER, PR and Ki67 was quantified by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA encoding these proteins, ESR1, PGR and KI67, respectively, was quantified by real-time PCR. mRNA expression was also quantified in breast cancer cell lines treated with estrogen and progesterone in vitro. RESULTS In T-47D-xenografted tumors, estrogen and progesterone treatment reduced PGR and KI67 mRNA expression, and reduced PR and Ki67 protein positivity, compared to estrogen treatment alone. In ZR-75-1 xenografted tumors, no significant differences in protein or mRNA biomarker expression were observed. In vitro, estrogen and progesterone co-treatment significantly reduced ESR1 and PGR mRNA expression in both T-47D and ZR-75-1 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Estrogen and progesterone similarly affect mRNA and protein biomarker expression in hormone-responsive breast cancer xenografts. Further research is needed to investigate concordance between protein and mRNA biomarkers in premenopausal breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Bernhardt
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Pallave Dasari
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Danielle J Glynn
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Amanda R Townsend
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Timothy J Price
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Wendy V Ingman
- Discipline of Surgery, Adelaide Medical School, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, DX465702, 28 Woodville Rd, Woodville, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia. .,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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Duijndam B, Goudriaan A, van den Hoorn T, van der Stel W, Le Dévédec S, Bouwman P, van der Laan JW, van de Water B. Physiologically Relevant Estrogen Receptor Alpha Pathway Reporters for Single-Cell Imaging-Based Carcinogenic Hazard Assessment of Estrogenic Compounds. Toxicol Sci 2021; 181:187-198. [PMID: 33769548 PMCID: PMC8163057 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab037] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family of ligand-inducible transcription factors and regulates gene networks in biological processes such as cell growth and proliferation. Disruption of these networks by chemical compounds with estrogenic activity can result in adverse outcomes such as unscheduled cell proliferation, ultimately culminating in tumor formation. To distinguish disruptive activation from normal physiological responses, it is essential to quantify relationships between different key events leading to a particular adverse outcome. For this purpose, we established fluorescent protein MCF7 reporter cell lines for ERα-induced proliferation by bacterial artificial chromosome-based tagging of 3 ERα target genes: GREB1, PGR, and TFF1. These target genes are inducible by the non-genotoxic carcinogen and ERα agonist 17β-estradiol in an ERα-dependent manner and are essential for ERα-dependent cell-cycle progression and proliferation. The 3 GFP reporter cell lines were characterized in detail and showed different activation dynamics upon exposure to 17β-estradiol. In addition, they demonstrated specific activation in response to other established reference estrogenic compounds of different potencies, with similar sensitivities as validated OECD test methods. This study shows that these fluorescent reporter cell lines can be used to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of ERα pathway activation at the single-cell level for more mechanistic insight, thereby allowing a detailed assessment of the potential carcinogenic activity of estrogenic compounds in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Duijndam
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands.,Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht 3531AH, The Netherlands
| | - Annabel Goudriaan
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Tineke van den Hoorn
- Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht 3531AH, The Netherlands
| | - Wanda van der Stel
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Bouwman
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem van der Laan
- Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht 3531AH, The Netherlands
| | - Bob van de Water
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
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43
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Donovitz G, Cotten M. Breast Cancer Incidence Reduction in Women Treated with Subcutaneous Testosterone: Testosterone Therapy and Breast Cancer Incidence Study. Eur J Breast Health 2021; 17:150-156. [PMID: 33870115 DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2021.6213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective Testosterone (T) therapy has been shown to be breast protective in both pre- and post-menopausal patients. Additionally, estradiol (E) does not cause breast cancer (BC) in the majority of the world's literatures. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of invasive BC (IBC) in pre- and postmenopausal women treated with T therapy and T in combination with E (T/E). Materials and Methods Since January 2010, a total of 2,377 pre- and post-menopausal women were treated with T or T/E implants. IBC rates were reported based on newly diagnosed IBC cases in the total study. Total cases divided by the total sample size and years in study was expressed as an incidence per 100,000 person-years (P-Ys). The BC incidence was compared with age-specific Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) incidence rates. Results As of October 2020, 14 cases diagnosed with IBC have been found in 9,746 P-Y of follow up for an incidence of 144 cases per 100,000 P-Y, substantially less than the age-specific SEER incidence rates (223/100,000), placebo arm of Women's Health Initiative Study (330/100,000), and never users of hormone therapy from the Million Women Study (312/100,000). Conclusion T and/or T/E pellet implants significantly reduced the incidence of BC in pre- and post-menopausal women. The addition of E did not increase the incidence over using T alone. This is the second multi-year long-term study demonstrating the benefits of T therapy in reducing the incidence of IBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Donovitz
- Morehouse College of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,BioTE Medical, LLC, Irving, Texas, USA
| | - Mandy Cotten
- Institute for Hormonal Balance, Arlington, Texas, USA
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Blatt EB, Kopplin N, Kumar S, Mu P, Conzen SD, Raj GV. Overcoming oncogene addiction in breast and prostate cancers: a comparative mechanistic overview. Endocr Relat Cancer 2021; 28:R31-R46. [PMID: 33263560 PMCID: PMC8218927 DOI: 10.1530/erc-20-0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) and breast cancer (BCa) are both hormone-dependent cancers that require the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER, ESR1) for growth and proliferation, respectively. Endocrine therapies that target these nuclear receptors (NRs) provide significant clinical benefit for metastatic patients. However, these therapeutic strategies are seldom curative and therapy resistance is prevalent. Because the vast majority of therapy-resistant PCa and BCa remain dependent on the augmented activity of their primary NR driver, common mechanisms of resistance involve enhanced NR signaling through overexpression, mutation, or alternative splicing of the receptor, coregulator alterations, and increased intracrine hormonal synthesis. In addition, a significant subset of endocrine therapy-resistant tumors become independent of their primary NR and switch to alternative NR or transcriptional drivers. While these hormone-dependent cancers generally employ similar mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance, distinct differences between the two tumor types have been observed. In this review, we compare and contrast the most frequent mechanisms of antiandrogen and antiestrogen resistance, and provide potential therapeutic strategies for targeting both advanced PCa and BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliot B Blatt
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Noa Kopplin
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shourya Kumar
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ping Mu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Suzanne D Conzen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ganesh V Raj
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) mediates progesterone receptor-driven stemness and endocrine resistance in oestrogen receptor+ breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:217-227. [PMID: 33144693 PMCID: PMC7782753 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01094-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone receptors (PR) are potent modifiers of endocrine responses. In aberrant signalling cancer contexts, phosphorylation events dramatically alter steroid hormone receptor action. METHODS The transcriptomes of primary tumours and metastases in mice harbouring ER+ breast cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were analysed following single-cell RNAseq. In vitro assays were employed to delineate mechanisms of endocrine resistance and stemness. RESULTS A 16-gene phospho-Ser294 PR (p-PR) signature predicted poor outcome in ER+ breast cancer. Relative to primary PDX tumours, metastatic lesions expressed abundant p-PR and exhibited an activated PR gene programme with elevated expression of PGR and IRS-1. Breast cancer models of activated PR lost the expression of IGF1R and acquired insulin hypersensitivity with tamoxifen insensitivity. Activated p-PR+ breast cancer cells formed increased tumourspheres with enlarged ALDH+ and CD24-/CD44 populations. E2 induced PR/IRS-1 interaction and exchange of IGF1Rβ for IRS-1 in p-PR-containing transcriptional complexes. Inhibition of IRS-1 or IR and inducible IRS-1 knockdown reduced tumourspheres. Endocrine-resistant models of luminal B breast cancer induced p-PR in 3D cultures and required PR and IRS-1 for tumoursphere formation. CONCLUSIONS Phospho-PR-B cooperates with IRS-1 to promote outgrowth of endocrine-resistant and stem-like breast cancer cells. Targeting phospho-PR/IRS-1 crosstalk may block the emergence of endocrine resistance.
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Mohammed G, Mousa NA, Talaat IM, Ibrahim H, Saber-Ayad M. Breast Cancer Risk with Progestin Subdermal Implants: A Challenge in Patients Counseling. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:781066. [PMID: 34975755 PMCID: PMC8719328 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.781066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a steady global rise in the use of progestin subdermal implants, where use has increased by more than 20 times in the past two decades. BC risk has been reported with the older progestin only methods such as oral pills, injectables, and intrauterine devices, however, little is known about the risk with subdermal implants. In this review, we aim to update clinicians and researchers on the current evidence to support patient counseling and to inform future research directions. The available evidence of the association between the use of progestin subdermal implants and BC risk is discussed. We provide an overview of the potential role of endogenous progesterone in BC development. The chemical structure and molecular targets of synthetic progestins of relevance are summarized together with the preclinical and clinical evidence on their association with BC risk. We review all studies that investigated the action of the specific progestins included in subdermal implants. As well, we discuss the potential effect of the use of subdermal implants in women at increased BC risk, including carriers of BC susceptibility genetic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Mohammed
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Ghada Mohammed, ; Noha A. Mousa,
| | - Noha A. Mousa
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Ghada Mohammed, ; Noha A. Mousa,
| | - Iman M. Talaat
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Haya Ibrahim
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maha Saber-Ayad
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Estrogen Receptor on the move: Cistromic plasticity and its implications in breast cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 78:100939. [PMID: 33358533 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor (ERα) is a hormone-driven transcription factor, critically involved in driving tumor cell proliferation in the vast majority of breast cancers (BCas). ERα binds the genome at cis-regulatory elements, dictating the expression of a large spectrum of responsive genes in 3D genomic space. While initial reports described a rather static ERα chromatin binding repertoire, we now know that ERα DNA interactions are highly versatile, altered in breast tumor development and progression, and deviate between tumors from patients with differential outcome. Multiple cellular signaling cascades are known to impinge on ERα genomic function, changing its cistrome to retarget the receptor to other regions of the genome and reprogram its impact on breast cell biology. This review describes the current state-of-the-art on which factors manipulate the ERα cistrome and how this alters the response to both endogenous and exogenous hormonal stimuli, ultimately impacting BCa cell progression and response to commonly used therapeutic interventions. Novel insights in ERα cistrome dynamics may pave the way for better patient diagnostics and the development of novel therapeutic interventions, ultimately improving cancer care and patient outcome.
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Tabor S, Szostakowska-Rodzos M, Fabisiewicz A, Grzybowska EA. How to Predict Metastasis in Luminal Breast Cancer? Current Solutions and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218415. [PMID: 33182512 PMCID: PMC7665153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer metastasis is the main cause of breast cancer mortality. Luminal breast cancer represents the majority of breast cancer cases and, despite relatively good prognosis, its heterogeneity creates problems with a proper stratification of patients and correct identification of the group with a high risk of metastatic relapse. Current prognostic tools are based on the analysis of the primary tumor and, despite their undisputed power of prediction, they might be insufficient to foresee the relapse in an accurate and precise manner, especially if the relapse occurs after a long period of dormancy, which is very common in luminal breast cancer. New approaches tend to rely on body fluid analyses, which have the advantage of being non-invasive and versatile and may be repeated and used for monitoring the disease in the long run. In this review we describe the current, newly-developed, and only-just-discovered methods which are or may become useful in the assessment of the probability of the relapse.
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Hruschka N, Kalisz M, Subijana M, Graña-Castro O, Del Cano-Ochoa F, Brunet LP, Chernukhin I, Sagrera A, De Reynies A, Kloesch B, Chin SF, Burgués O, Andreu D, Bermejo B, Cejalvo JM, Sutton J, Caldas C, Ramón-Maiques S, Carroll JS, Prat A, Real FX, Martinelli P. The GATA3 X308_Splice breast cancer mutation is a hormone context-dependent oncogenic driver. Oncogene 2020; 39:5455-5467. [PMID: 32587399 PMCID: PMC7410826 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As the catalog of oncogenic driver mutations is expanding, it becomes clear that alterations in a given gene might have different functions and should not be lumped into one class. The transcription factor GATA3 is a paradigm of this. We investigated the functions of the most common GATA3 mutation (X308_Splice) and five additional mutations, which converge into a neoprotein that we called "neoGATA3," associated with excellent prognosis in patients. Analysis of available molecular data from >3000 breast cancer patients revealed a dysregulation of the ER-dependent transcriptional response in tumors carrying neoGATA3-generating mutations. Mechanistic studies in vitro showed that neoGATA3 interferes with the transcriptional programs controlled by estrogen and progesterone receptors, without fully abrogating them. ChIP-Seq analysis indicated that ER binding is reduced in neoGATA3-expressing cells, especially at distal regions, suggesting that neoGATA3 interferes with the fine tuning of ER-dependent gene expression. This has opposite outputs in distinct hormonal context, having pro- or anti-proliferative effects, depending on the estrogen/progesterone ratio. Our data call for functional analyses of putative cancer drivers to guide clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Hruschka
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mark Kalisz
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Subijana
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Osvaldo Graña-Castro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Del Cano-Ochoa
- Department of Genome Dynamics and Function, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laia Paré Brunet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Igor Chernukhin
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 ORE, UK
| | - Ana Sagrera
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aurelien De Reynies
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Bernhard Kloesch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Suet-Feung Chin
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Octavio Burgués
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario-CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Protein Chemistry, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Begoña Bermejo
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario-CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Miguel Cejalvo
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario-CIBERONC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joe Sutton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 ORE, UK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Santiago Ramón-Maiques
- Department of Genome Dynamics and Function, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jason S Carroll
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 ORE, UK
| | - Aleix Prat
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Martinelli
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria.
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
- Cancer Cell Signaling Department, Boehringer-Ingelheim RCV, Vienna, Austria.
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50
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Horwitz KB, Sartorius CA. 90 YEARS OF PROGESTERONE: Progesterone and progesterone receptors in breast cancer: past, present, future. J Mol Endocrinol 2020; 65:T49-T63. [PMID: 32485679 PMCID: PMC8525510 DOI: 10.1530/jme-20-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone and progesterone receptors (PR) have a storied albeit controversial history in breast cancers. As endocrine therapies for breast cancer progressed through the twentieth century from oophorectomy to antiestrogens, it was recognized in the 1970s that the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) alone could not efficiently predict treatment responses. PR, an estrogen regulated protein, became the first prognostic and predictive marker of response to endocrine therapies. It remains today as the gold standard for predicting the existence of functional, targetable ER in breast malignancies. PRs were subsequently identified as highly structured transcription factors that regulate diverse physiological processes in breast cancer cells. In the early 2000s, the somewhat surprising finding that prolonged use of synthetic progestin-containing menopausal hormone therapies was associated with increased breast cancer incidence raised new questions about the role of PR in 'tumorigenesis'. Most recently, PR have been linked to expansion of cancer stem cells that are postulated to be the principal cells reactivated in occult or dormant disease. Other studies establish PR as dominant modulators of ER activity. Together, these findings mark PR as bona fide targets for progestin or antiprogestin therapies, yet their diverse actions have confounded that use. Here we summarize the early history of PR in breast cancer; debunk the theory that progesterone causes cancer; discuss recent discoveries that PR regulate cell heterogeneity; attempt to unify theories describing PR as either good or bad actors in tumors; and discuss emerging areas of research that may help explain this enigmatic hormone and receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn B. Horwitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Carol A. Sartorius
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045
- Corresponding author
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