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Czerwonka A, Kałafut J, Wang S, Anameric A, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Toriseva M, Nees M. The Notch inhibitor, FLI-06, increases the chemosensitivity of head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma cells to taxanes-based treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116822. [PMID: 38906029 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberration of Notch signaling is one of the key events involved in the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The Notch pathway controls the tissue-specific differentiation of normal squamous epithelial cells and is frequently altered in squamous carcinomas, thus affecting their proliferation, growth, survival, and chemosensitivity or resistance against anti-cancer agents. In this study, we show that the use of novel, small-molecule inhibitors of Notch signaling, such as FLI-06, can have a beneficial effect on increasing the chemosensitivity of HNSCC to taxane-based chemotherapy. Inhibition of Notch signaling by FLI-06 alone virtually blocks the proliferation and growth of HNSCC cells in both 2D and 3D cultures and the zebrafish model, which is accompanied by down-regulation of key Notch target genes and proteins. Mechanistically, FLI-06 treatment causes cell cycle arrest in the G1-phase and induction of apoptosis in HNSCC, which is accompanied by increased c-JunS63 phosphorylation. Combining FLI-06 with Docetaxel shows a synergistic effect and partially blocks the cell growth of aggressive HNSCC cells via enhanced apoptosis and modification of c-JunS243 phosphorylation via GSK-3β inhibition. In conclusion, inhibition of Notch signaling in HNSCC cells that retain active Notch signaling significantly supports taxane-based anticancer activities via modulation of both the GSK-3β and the c-Jun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland.
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland
| | - Shaoxia Wang
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Unit and FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Alinda Anameric
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland
| | | | - Mervi Toriseva
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Unit and FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Matthias Nees
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland
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Sajjad F, Jalal A, Jalal A, Gul Z, Mubeen H, Rizvi SZ, Un-Nisa EA, Asghar A, Butool F. Multi-omic analysis of dysregulated pathways in triple negative breast cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899578 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.14095] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The aggressive characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the absence of targeted medicines make TNBC a challenging clinical case. The molecular landscape of TNBC has been well-understood thanks to recent developments in multi-omic analysis, which have also revealed dysregulated pathways and possible treatment targets. This review summarizes the utilization of multi-omic approaches in elucidating TNBC's complex biology and therapeutic avenues. Dysregulated pathways including cell cycle progression, immunological modulation, and DNA damage response have been uncovered in TNBC by multi-omic investigations that integrate genomes, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data. Methods like this pave the door for the discovery of new therapeutic targets, such as the EGFR, PARP, and mTOR pathways, which in turn direct the creation of more precise treatments. Recent developments in TNBC treatment strategies, including immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates, show promise in clinical trials. Emerging biomarkers like MUC1, YB-1, and immune-related markers offer insights into personalized treatment approaches and prognosis prediction. Despite the strengths of multi-omic analysis in offering a more comprehensive view and personalized treatment strategies, challenges exist. Large sample sizes and ensuring high-quality data remain crucial for reliable findings. Multi-omic analysis has revolutionized TNBC research, shedding light on dysregulated pathways, potential targets, and emerging biomarkers. Continued research efforts are imperative to translate these insights into improved outcomes for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Sajjad
- School of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahmer Jalal
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amir Jalal
- Department of Biochemistry, Sahara Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Zulekha Gul
- Environmental and Biological Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Hira Mubeen
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Seemal Zahra Rizvi
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ex Alim Un-Nisa
- Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Andleeb Asghar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Farah Butool
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
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3
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Tran-Guzman A, Khan A, Culty M. Differential roles of cyclooxygenase enzymes in the regulation of murine juvenile undifferentiated spermatogonia. Andrology 2024; 12:899-917. [PMID: 37772683 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13537] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are widely administered to babies due to their presumed safety as over-the-counter drugs. However, no reports exist on the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on undifferentiated spermatogonia and spermatogonial stem cells. Infancy represents a critical period for spermatogonial stem cell formation and disrupting spermatogonial stem cells or their precursors may be associated with infertility and testicular cancer formation. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to examine the molecular and functional impact of cyclooxygenase inhibition and silencing on early steps of undifferentiated spermatogonia (u spg) and spermatogonial stem cell development, to assess the potential reproductive risk of pharmaceutical cyclooxygenase inhibitors. METHODS The effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition were assessed using the mouse C18-4 undifferentiated juvenile spermatogonial cell line model, previously shown to include cells with spermatogonial stem cell features, by measuring prostaglandins, cell proliferation, and differentiation, using cyclooxygenase 1- and cyclooxygenase 2-selective inhibitors NS398, celecoxib, and FR122047, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. Cyclooxygenase 1 gene silencing was achieved using a stable short-hairpin RNA approach and clone selection, then assessing gene and protein expression in RNA sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence studies. RESULTS Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors NS398 and celecoxib, as well as acetaminophen, but not ibuprofen, dose-dependently decreased retinoic acid-induced expression of the spg differentiation gene Stra8, while NS398 decreased the spg differentiation marker Kit, suggesting that cyclooxygenase 2 is positively associated with spg differentiation. In contrast, short-hairpin RNA-based cyclooxygenase 1 silencing in C18-4 cells altered cellular morphology and upregulated Stra8 and Kit, implying that cyclooxygenase 1 prevented spg differentiation. Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis of cyclooxygenase 1 knockdown cells indicated the activation of several signaling pathways including the TGFb, Wnt, and Notch pathways, compared to control C18-4 cells. Notch pathway genes were upregulated by selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. CONCLUSION We report that cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 differentially regulate undifferentiated spermatogonia/spermatogonial stem cell differentiation. Cyclooxygenases regulate Notch3 expression, with the Notch pathway targeted by PGD2. These data suggest an interaction between the eicosanoid and Notch signaling pathways that may be critical for the development of spermatogonial stem cells and subsequent spermatogenesis, cautioning about using cyclooxygenase inhibitors in infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tran-Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amina Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Martine Culty
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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4
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Pardo I, Fagundes PB, de Oliveira RS, Campregher PV. A molecular approach to triple-negative breast cancer: targeting the Notch signaling pathway. EINSTEIN-SAO PAULO 2024; 22:eRW0552. [PMID: 38324848 PMCID: PMC10948095 DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024rw0552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. This phenotype renders triple-negative breast cancer cells refractory to conventional therapies, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Recent studies have implicated dysregulation of the Notch receptor signaling pathway in the development and progression of triple-negative breast cancer. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify potential therapeutic targets of the Notch pathway. Our analysis focused on the upstream and downstream components of this pathway to identify potential therapeutic targets. RESULTS Modulating the Notch signaling pathway may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to treat triple-negative breast cancer. Several potential therapeutic targets within this pathway are in the early stages of development, including upstream (such as Notch ligands) and downstream (including specific molecules involved in triple-negative breast cancer growth). These targets represent potential avenues for therapeutic intervention in triple-negative breast cancer. COMMENTS Additional research specifically addressing issues related to toxicity and improving drug delivery methods is critical for the successful translation of these potential therapeutic targets into effective treatments for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabele Pardo
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert EinsteinHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão PauloSPBrazil Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein , Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , São Paulo , SP , Brazil .
| | - Pedro Brecheret Fagundes
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert EinsteinHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão PauloSPBrazil Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein , Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , São Paulo , SP , Brazil .
| | - Rafael Santana de Oliveira
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert EinsteinHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão PauloSPBrazil Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein , Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , São Paulo , SP , Brazil .
| | - Paulo Vidal Campregher
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert EinsteinHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão PauloSPBrazil Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein , Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , São Paulo , SP , Brazil .
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Abdel-Mohsen MA, Badawy AM, Abu-Youssef MA, Yehia MA, Abou Shamaa LD, Mohamed SA. Influence of copper(I) nicotinate complex on the Notch1 signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2522. [PMID: 38291201 PMCID: PMC10827744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52952-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer which is characterized by its aggressiveness, poor and short overall survival. In this concept, there is a growing demand for metal-based compounds in TNBC therapy as copper complex that have a less toxic effect on normal cells and could stimulate apoptotic cell death. Additionally, Notch1 signaling pathway has received great attention as one of the most important potential targets for developing a novel therapeutic strategy. The present study is an attempt to assess the promising chemotherapeutic activities of copper(I) nicotinate (CNC) through its impact on the expression of downstream genes of Notch1 signaling pathway and the cell fate of TNBC. The co-treatment of TNBC cells with doxorubicin (Doxo) and CNC was also investigated. To approach the objective of the present study, TNBC cell lines; HCC1806 and MDAMB231, were utilized. MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 values of CNC and Doxo. After treatment, microtubule-associated protein light chain3 (LC3) were determined by flow cytometry. Additionally, qRT-PCR technique was used to detect the changes in genes levels that are involved Notch1 signaling pathway. Moreover, autophagosomes were monitored and imaged by Transmission electron microscopy. Treatment of TNBC cells with CNC modulated Notch1 signaling pathway in different manners with respect to the type of cells and the applied dose of CNC. The observed effects of CNC may reflect the possible anti-cancer activities of CNC in both types of TNBC. However, cell type and CNC dose should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Abdel-Mohsen
- Applied Medical Chemistry Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Asmaa M Badawy
- Applied Medical Chemistry Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Morsy A Abu-Youssef
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona A Yehia
- Histochemistry and Cell Biology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Lobna D Abou Shamaa
- Immunology and Allergy Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shymaa Abdullah Mohamed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Medical Technology Center and Applied Medical Chemistry Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Braune EB, Geist F, Tang X, Kalari K, Boughey J, Wang L, Leon-Ferre RA, D'Assoro AB, Ingle JN, Goetz MP, Kreis J, Wang K, Foukakis T, Seshire A, Wienke D, Lendahl U. Identification of a Notch transcriptomic signature for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:4. [PMID: 38172915 PMCID: PMC10765899 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulated Notch signalling contributes to breast cancer development and progression, but validated tools to measure the level of Notch signalling in breast cancer subtypes and in response to systemic therapy are largely lacking. A transcriptomic signature of Notch signalling would be warranted, for example to monitor the effects of future Notch-targeting therapies and to learn whether altered Notch signalling is an off-target effect of current breast cancer therapies. In this report, we have established such a classifier. METHODS To generate the signature, we first identified Notch-regulated genes from six basal-like breast cancer cell lines subjected to elevated or reduced Notch signalling by culturing on immobilized Notch ligand Jagged1 or blockade of Notch by γ-secretase inhibitors, respectively. From this cadre of Notch-regulated genes, we developed candidate transcriptomic signatures that were trained on a breast cancer patient dataset (the TCGA-BRCA cohort) and a broader breast cancer cell line cohort and sought to validate in independent datasets. RESULTS An optimal 20-gene transcriptomic signature was selected. We validated the signature on two independent patient datasets (METABRIC and Oslo2), and it showed an improved coherence score and tumour specificity compared with previously published signatures. Furthermore, the signature score was particularly high for basal-like breast cancer, indicating an enhanced level of Notch signalling in this subtype. The signature score was increased after neoadjuvant treatment in the PROMIX and BEAUTY patient cohorts, and a lower signature score generally correlated with better clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS The 20-gene transcriptional signature will be a valuable tool to evaluate the response of future Notch-targeting therapies for breast cancer, to learn about potential effects on Notch signalling from conventional breast cancer therapies and to better stratify patients for therapy considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike-Benjamin Braune
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Xiaojia Tang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Krishna Kalari
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Judy Boughey
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Liewei Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - James N Ingle
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew P Goetz
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Kang Wang
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Theodoros Foukakis
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Abdullaev B, Rasyid SA, Ali E, Al-Dhalimy AMB, Mustafa YF, Fenjan MN, Misra N, Al-Musawi SG, Alawadi A, Alsalamy A. Effective exosomes in breast cancer: focusing on diagnosis and treatment of cancer progression. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:154995. [PMID: 38113765 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154995] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent aggressive malignant tumor in women worldwide and develops from breast tissue. Although cutting-edge treatment methods have been used and current mortality rates have decreased, BC control is still not satisfactory. Clarifying the underlying molecular mechanisms will help clinical options. Extracellular vesicles known as exosomes mediate cellular communication by delivering a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, oncogenes, oncomiRs, and even pharmacological substances. These transferable bioactive molecules can alter the transcriptome of target cells and affect signaling pathways that are related to tumors. Numerous studies have linked exosomes to BC biology, including therapeutic resistance and the local microenvironment. Exosomes' roles in tumor treatment resistance, invasion, and BC metastasis are the main topics of discussion in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bekhzod Abdullaev
- Research Department of Biotechnology, New Uzbekistan University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Central Asian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
| | - Sri Anggarini Rasyid
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Mandala Waluya University, Kendari, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia.
| | - Eyhab Ali
- college of chemistry, Al-Zahraa University for Women, Karbala, Iraq
| | | | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Iraq
| | - Mohammed N Fenjan
- College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
| | - Neeti Misra
- Department of Management, Uttaranchal Institute of Management, Uttaranchal University, India
| | | | - Ahmed Alawadi
- College of technical engineering, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Babylon, Iraq
| | - Ali Alsalamy
- College of technical engineering, Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, Iraq
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8
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Shuaib M, Kumar S. Ectopic expression of tumor suppressive miR-181c-5p downregulates oncogenic Notch signaling in MDA-MB-231 cells. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:155017. [PMID: 38101160 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155017] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very invasive subtype of breast cancer (BCa), this is accounted for 15-20% of all BCa cases. TNBC patients have very limited therapy option due to lack of effective targets and patients shows the worse survival. Therefore, present study has tried to introduce the target based therapy by studying the tumor suppressive role of miR-181c-5p on oncogenic Notch1 signaling. Transient transfection, bioinformatics, qRT-PCR, Notch1 luciferase assay and western blotting techniques were utilized to study the effect of induced expression of miR-181c-5p on oncogenic Notch1 signaling in MDA-MB-231 cells. Results shows that miR-181c-5p mimic increase the expression of miR-181c-5p by 45.26% and 75.96% in 24 and 48 h incubation, respectively (p < 0.0003) in transfected cells. The miR-181c-5p binds at NOTCH1 3' UTR target binding site with a minimum free energy of - 26.0 kcal/mol. The AGO protein showed significant interaction with the miR-181c-5p and miR-181c-5p-NOTCH1 complex. Decreased expression of NOTCH1 by 32.88% and 45.87% (p < 0.0001); and HES1 expression by 14.06% and 53.24% (p < 0.0001) was observed in 24 and 48 h transfected cells respectively. Notch1 promoter luciferase activity was reduced by 25.72% and 46.98% in 24 and 48 h miRNA-mimic transfected cells. Western blot analysis also showed significant reduction in NOTCH1 and HES1 proteins expression. In conclusion, present study suggests that the forced expression of tumor suppressive miR-181c-5p negatively regulates oncogenic Notch1 signaling in TNBC. Negative regulation of Notch1 signaling via miR-181c-5p mimic could be a hopeful therapeutic strategy in TNBC patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Shuaib
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Shashank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India.
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Singh A, Mishra R, Mazumder A. Breast cancer and its therapeutic targets: A comprehensive review. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14384. [PMID: 37919259 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14384] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease, so there is a constant need for research to find efficient targets and therapeutic approaches. Breast cancer can be classified on a molecular and histological base. Breast cancer can be divided into ER (estrogen receptor)-positive and ER-negative, HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor2)-positive and HER2-negative subtypes based on the presence of specific biomarkers. Targeting hormone receptors, such as the HER2, progesterone receptor (PR), and ER, is very significant and plays a vital role in the onset and progression of breast cancer. Endocrine treatments and HER2-targeted drugs are examples of targeted therapies now being used against these receptors. Emerging immune-based medicines with promising outcomes in the treatment of breast cancer include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapy. It is also explored how immune cells and the tumor microenvironment affect breast cancer development and treatment response. The major biochemical pathways, signaling cascades, and DNA repair mechanisms that are involved in the development and progression of breast cancer, include the PI3K/AKT/mTOR system, the MAPK pathway, and others. These pathways are intended to be inhibited by a variety of targeted drugs, which are then delivered with the goal of restoring normal cellular function. This review aims to shed light on types of breast cancer with the summarization of different therapeutic approaches which can target different pathways for tailored medicines and better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Singh
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rakhi Mishra
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Avijit Mazumder
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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10
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Guo Z, Han S. Targeting cancer stem cell plasticity in triple-negative breast cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:1165-1181. [PMID: 38213533 PMCID: PMC10776602 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited treatment options. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to play a crucial role in TNBC progression and resistance to therapy. CSCs are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors that possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities and are responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance, and metastasis. CSCs exhibit plasticity, allowing them to switch between states and adapt to changing microenvironments. Targeting CSC plasticity has emerged as a promising strategy for TNBC treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying CSC plasticity in TNBC and discusses potential therapeutic approaches targeting CSC plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Shuyan Han
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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11
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Kumari L, Mishra L, Patel P, Sharma N, Gupta GD, Kurmi BD. Emerging targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. J Drug Target 2023; 31:889-907. [PMID: 37539789 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2245579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer that lacks expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), has clinical features including a high degree of invasiveness, an elevated risk of metastasis, tendency to relapse, and poor prognosis. It constitutes around 10-15% of all breast cancer, and having heredity of BRCA1 mutated breast cancer could be a reason for the occurrence of TNBC in women. Overexpression of cellular and molecular targets, i.e. CD44 receptor, EGFR receptor, Folate receptor, Transferrin receptor, VEGF receptor, and Androgen receptor, have emerged as promising targets for treating TNBC. Signalling pathways such as Notch signalling and PI3K/AKT/mTOR also play a significant role in carrying out and managing crucial pro-survival and pro-growth cellular processes that can be utilised for targeted therapy against triple-negative breast cancer. This review sheds light on various targeting strategies, including cellular and molecular targets, signalling pathways, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and immune checkpoint inhibitors PARP, immunotherapy, ADCs have all found a place in the current TNBC therapeutic paradigm. The role of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) has also been explored briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Lopamudra Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Preeti Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Nitin Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | | | - Balak Das Kurmi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
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12
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Zhao J, Faryabi RB. Spatial promoter-enhancer hubs in cancer: organization, regulation, and function. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:1069-1084. [PMID: 37599153 PMCID: PMC10840977 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.017] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer and can be driven by altered enhancer landscapes. Recent studies in genome organization have revealed that multiple enhancers and promoters can spatially coalesce to form dynamic topological assemblies, known as promoter-enhancer hubs, which strongly correlate with elevated gene expression. In this review, we discuss the structure and complexity of promoter-enhancer hubs recently identified in multiple cancer types. We further discuss underlying mechanisms driving dysregulation of promoter-enhancer hubs and speculate on their functional role in pathogenesis. Understanding the role of promoter-enhancer hubs in transcriptional dysregulation can provide insight into new therapeutic approaches to target these complex features of genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert B Faryabi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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13
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Li D, Park Y, Hemati H, Liu X. Cell aggregation activates small GTPase Rac1 and induces CD44 cleavage by maintaining lipid raft integrity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105377. [PMID: 37866630 PMCID: PMC10692920 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105377] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid rafts are highly ordered membrane domains that are enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids and serve as major platforms for signal transduction. Cell detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM) triggers lipid raft disruption and anoikis, which is a barrier for cancer cells to metastasize. Compared to single circulating tumor cells (CTCs), our recent studies have demonstrated that CD44-mediatd cell aggregation enhances the stemness, survival and metastatic ability of aggregated cells. Here, we investigated whether and how lipid rafts are involved in CD44-mediated cell aggregation. We found that cell detachment, which mimics the condition when tumor cells detach from the ECM to metastasize, induced lipid raft disruption in single cells, but lipid raft integrity was maintained in aggregated cells. We further found that lipid raft integrity in aggregated cells was required for Rac1 activation to prevent anoikis. In addition, CD44 and γ-secretase coexisted at lipid rafts in aggregated cells, which promoted CD44 cleavage and generated CD44 intracellular domain (CD44 ICD) to enhance stemness of aggregated cells. Consequently, lipid raft disruption inhibited Rac1 activation, CD44 ICD generation, and metastasis. Our findings reveal two new pathways regulated by CD44-mediated cell aggregation via maintaining lipid raft integrity. These findings also suggest that targeting cell aggregation-mediated pathways could be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent CTC cluster-initiated metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Younhee Park
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Hami Hemati
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
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14
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Kumar H, Gupta NV, Jain R, Madhunapantula SV, Babu CS, Kesharwani SS, Dey S, Jain V. A review of biological targets and therapeutic approaches in the management of triple-negative breast cancer. J Adv Res 2023; 54:271-292. [PMID: 36791960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous, aggressive phenotype of breast cancer with associated chemoresistance. The development of chemo- or radioresistance could be attributed to diverse tumor microenvironments, overexpression of membrane proteins (transporters), epigenetic changes, and alteration of the cell signaling pathways/genes associated with the development of cancer stem cells (CSCs). AIM OF REVIEW Due to the diverse and heterogeneous nature of TNBC, therapeutic response to the existing modalities offers limited scope and thus results in reccurance after therapy. To establish landmark therapeutic efficacy, a number of novel therapeutic modalities have been proposed. In addition, reversal of the resistance that developed during treatment may be altered by employing appropriate therapeutic modalities. This review aims to discuss the plethora of investigations carried out, which will help readers understand and make an appropriate choice of therapy directed toward complete elimination of TNBC. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This manuscript addresses the major contributory factors from the tumor microenvironment that are responsible for the development of chemoresistance and poor prognosis. The associated cellular events and molecular mechanism-based therapeutic interventions have been explained in detail. Inhibition of ABC transporters, cell signaling pathways associated with CSCs, and epigenetic modification offers promising results in this regard. TNBC progression, invasion, metastasis and recurrence can also be inhibited by blocking multiple cell signaling pathways, targeting specific receptors/epigenetic targets, disrupting bioenergetics and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - N Vishal Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - Rupshee Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - SubbaRao V Madhunapantula
- Department of Biochemistry, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology & Regenerative Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | - C Saravana Babu
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India
| | | | - Surajit Dey
- Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Vikas Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, India.
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15
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Omar M, Nuzzo PV, Ravera F, Bleve S, Fanelli GN, Zanettini C, Valencia I, Marchionni L. Notch-based gene signature for predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:811. [PMID: 37964363 PMCID: PMC10647131 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04713-3] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is generally accepted, not all patients derive benefit from this preoperative treatment. Presently, there are no validated biomarkers to predict the NACT response, and previous attempts to develop predictive classifiers based on gene expression data have not demonstrated clinical utility. However, predictive models incorporating biological constraints have shown increased robustness and improved performance compared to agnostic classifiers. METHODS We used the preoperative transcriptomic profiles from 298 patients with TNBC to train and test a rank-based classifier, k-top scoring pairs, to predict whether the patient will have pathological complete response (pCR) or residual disease (RD) following NACT. To reduce overfitting and enhance the signature's interpretability, we constrained the training process to genes involved in the Notch signaling pathway. Subsequently, we evaluated the signature performance on two independent cohorts with 75 and 71 patients. Finally, we assessed the prognostic value of the signature by examining its association with relapse-free survival (RFS) using Kaplan‒Meier (KM) survival estimates and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS The final signature consists of five gene pairs, whose relative ordering can be predictive of the NACT response. The signature has a robust performance at predicting pCR in TNBC patients with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.76 and 0.85 in the first and second testing cohorts, respectively, outperforming other gene signatures developed for the same purpose. Additionally, the signature was significantly associated with RFS in an independent TNBC patient cohort even after adjusting for T stage, patient age at the time of diagnosis, type of breast surgery, and menopausal status. CONCLUSION We introduce a robust gene signature to predict pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with TNBC. This signature applies easily interpretable, rank-based decision rules to genes regulated by the Notch signaling pathway, a known determinant in breast cancer chemoresistance. The robust predictive and prognostic performance of the signature make it a strong candidate for clinical implementation, aiding in the stratification of TNBC patients undergoing NACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Omar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Pier Vitale Nuzzo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesco Ravera
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Bleve
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nicolò Fanelli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- First Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Zanettini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Itzel Valencia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luigi Marchionni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Hossain F, Ucar DA, Monticone G, Ran Y, Majumder S, Larter K, Luu H, Wyczechowska D, Heidari S, Xu K, Shanthalingam S, Matossian M, Xi Y, Burow M, Collins-Burow B, Del Valle L, Hicks C, Zabaleta J, Golde T, Osborne B, Miele L. Sulindac sulfide as a non-immune suppressive γ-secretase modulator to target triple-negative breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244159. [PMID: 37901240 PMCID: PMC10612326 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a heterogeneous group of clinically aggressive tumors with high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Current pharmacological treatment options remain largely limited to chemotherapy. Despite promising results, the efficacy of immunotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy in TNBC remains limited. There is strong evidence supporting the involvement of Notch signaling in TNBC progression. Expression of Notch1 and its ligand Jagged1 correlate with poor prognosis. Notch inhibitors, including g-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), are quite effective in preclinical models of TNBC. However, the success of GSIs in clinical trials has been limited by their intestinal toxicity and potential for adverse immunological effects, since Notch plays key roles in T-cell activation, including CD8 T-cells in tumors. Our overarching goal is to replace GSIs with agents that lack their systemic toxicity and ideally, do not affect tumor immunity. We identified sulindac sulfide (SS), the active metabolite of FDA-approved NSAID sulindac, as a potential candidate to replace GSIs. Methods We investigated the pharmacological and immunotherapeutic properties of SS in TNBC models in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo. Results We confirmed that SS, a known γ-secretase modulator (GSM), inhibits Notch1 cleavage in TNBC cells. SS significantly inhibited mammosphere growth in all human and murine TNBC models tested. In a transplantable mouse TNBC tumor model (C0321), SS had remarkable single-agent anti-tumor activity and eliminated Notch1 protein expression in tumors. Importantly, SS did not inhibit Notch cleavage in T- cells, and the anti-tumor effects of SS were significantly enhanced when combined with a-PD1 immunotherapy in our TNBC organoids and in vivo. Discussion Our data support further investigation of SS for the treatment of TNBC, in conjunction with chemo- or -chemo-immunotherapy. Repurposing an FDA-approved, safe agent for the treatment of TNBC may be a cost-effective, rapidly deployable therapeutic option for a patient population in need of more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fokhrul Hossain
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Deniz A. Ucar
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Giulia Monticone
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Yong Ran
- Department of Pharmacological and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Samarpan Majumder
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Kristina Larter
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Hanh Luu
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Dorota Wyczechowska
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, LSUHSC-NO, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Soroor Heidari
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Keli Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Sudarvili Shanthalingam
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | | | - Yaguang Xi
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Matthew Burow
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | | | - Luis Del Valle
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, LSUHSC-NO, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Chindo Hicks
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jovanny Zabaleta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, LSUHSC-NO, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Todd Golde
- Department of Pharmacological and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Barbara Osborne
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans, LA, United States
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Ensenyat-Mendez M, Solivellas-Pieras M, Llinàs-Arias P, Íñiguez-Muñoz S, Baker JL, Marzese DM, DiNome ML. Epigenetic Profiles of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers of African American and White Females. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2335821. [PMID: 37796506 PMCID: PMC10556970 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.35821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and appears to have disproportionately higher incidence and worse outcomes among younger African American females. Objective To investigate whether epigenetic differences exist in TNBCs of younger African American females that may explain clinical disparities seen in this patient group. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used clinical, demographic, DNA methylation (HumanMethylation450; Illumina), and gene expression (RNA sequencing) data for US patient populations from publicly available data repositories (The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA], 2006-2012, and Gene Expression Omnibus [GEO], 2004-2013) accessed on April 13, 2021. White and African American females with TNBC identified in TCGA (69 patients) and a validation cohort of 210 African American patients from GEO (GSE142102) were included. Patients without available race or age data were excluded. Data were analyzed from September 2022 through April 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of TNBC tumors by race (self-reported) and age were assessed. Age was considered a dichotomous variable using age 50 years as the cutoff (younger [<50 years] vs older [≥50 years]). Results A total of 69 female patients (34 African American [49.3%] and 35 White [50.7%]; mean [SD; range] age, 55.7 [11.6; 29-82] years) with TNBC were included in the DNA methylation analysis; these patients and 210 patients in the validation cohort were included in the gene expression analysis (279 patients). There were 1115 differentially methylated sites among younger African American females. The DNA methylation landscape on TNBC tumors in this population had increased odds of enrichment of hormone (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.67; P = .003), muscle (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.36; P < .001), and proliferation (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.71 to 3.64; P < .001) pathways vs other groups (older African American females and all White females). Alterations in regulators of these molecular features in TNBCs of younger African American females were identified involving hormone modulation (downregulation of androgen receptor: fold change [FC] = -2.93; 95% CI, -4.76 to -2.11; P < .001) and upregulation of estrogen-related receptor α (FC = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.38; P = .002), muscle metabolism (upregulation of FOXC1: FC = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.62 to 2.03; P < .001), and proliferation mediators (upregulation of NOTCH1: FC = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.19; P = .004 and MYC (FC = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.18 to 1.45; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that TNBC of younger African American females may represent a distinct epigenetic entity and offer novel insight into molecular alterations associated with TNBCs of this population. Understanding these epigenetic differences may lead to the development of more effective therapies for younger African American females, who have the highest incidence and worst outcomes from TNBC of any patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Ensenyat-Mendez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Maria Solivellas-Pieras
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Pere Llinàs-Arias
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Sandra Íñiguez-Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Jennifer L. Baker
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University California, Los Angeles
| | - Diego M. Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Maggie L. DiNome
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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18
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Piwarski SA, Salisbury TB. The effects of environmental aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands on signaling and cell metabolism in cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115771. [PMID: 37652105 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are chlorinated organic pollutants formed during the manufacturing of other chemicals. Dioxins are ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), that induce AHR-mediated biochemical and toxic responses and are persistent in the environment. 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo para dioxin (TCDD) is the prototypical AHR ligand and its effects represent dioxins. TCDD induces toxicity, immunosuppression and is a suspected tumor promoter. The role of TCDD in cancer however is debated and context-dependent. Environmental particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, perfluorooctane sulfonamide, endogenous AHR ligands, and cAMP signaling activate AHR through TCDD-independent pathways. The effect of activated AHR in cancer is context-dependent. The ability of FDA-approved drugs to modulate AHR activity has sparked interest in their repurposing for cancer therapy. TCDD by interfering with endogenous pathways, and overstimulating other endogenous pathways influences all stages of cancer. Herein we review signaling mechanisms that activate AHR and mechanisms by which activated AHR modulates signaling in cancer including affected metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Piwarski
- Duke Cancer Institute, Department of GU Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, 905 South Lasalle Street, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Travis B Salisbury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755, USA.
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Zhu S, Wu Y, Song B, Yi M, Yan Y, Mei Q, Wu K. Recent advances in targeted strategies for triple-negative breast cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:100. [PMID: 37641116 PMCID: PMC10464091 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01497-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, negatively expresses estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Although chemotherapy is the main form of treatment for patients with TNBC, the effectiveness of chemotherapy for TNBC is still limited. The search for more effective therapies is urgent. Multiple targeted therapeutic strategies have emerged according to the specific molecules and signaling pathways expressed in TNBC. These include PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, Notch inhibitors, poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates. Moreover, immune checkpoint inhibitors, for example, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab, are widely explored in the clinic. We summarize recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy in TNBC, with the aim of serving as a reference for the development of individualized treatment of patients with TNBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bin Song
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Yuheng Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Mei
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Corsaro L, Gambino VS. Notch, SUMOylation, and ESR-Mediated Signalling Are the Main Molecular Pathways Showing Significantly Different Epimutation Scores between Expressing or Not Oestrogen Receptor Breast Cancer in Three Public EWAS Datasets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4109. [PMID: 37627137 PMCID: PMC10452656 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oestrogen receptor expression in breast cancer (BC) cells is a marker of high cellular differentiation and allows the identification of two BC groups (ER-positive and ER-negative) that, although not completely homogeneous, differ in biological characteristics, clinical behaviour, and therapeutic options. The study, based on three publicly available EWAS (Epigenetic Wide Association Study) datasets, focuses on the comparison between these two groups of breast cancer using an epimutation score. The score is calculated not only based on the presence of the epimutation, but also on the deviation amplitude of the methylation outlier value. For each dataset, we performed a functional analysis based first on the functional gene region of each annotated gene (we aggregated the data per gene region TSS1500, TSS200, first-exon, and body-gene identified by the information from the Illumina Data Sheet), and then, we performed a pathway enrichment analysis through the REACTOME database based on the genes with the highest epimutation score. Thus, we blended our results and found common pathways for all three datasets. We found that a higher and significant epimutation score due to hypermethylation in ER-positive BC is present in the promoter region of the genes belonging to the SUMOylation pathway, the Notch pathway, the IFN-γ signalling pathway, and the deubiquitination protease pathway, while a higher and significant level of epimutation due to hypomethylation in ER-positive BC is present in the promoter region of the genes belonging to the ESR-mediated pathway. The presence of this state of promoter hypomethylation in the ESR-mediated signalling genes is consistent and coherent with an active signalling pathway mediated by oestrogen function in the group of ER-positive BC. The SUMOylation and Notch pathways are associated with BC pathogenesis and have been found to play distinct roles in the two BC subgroups. We speculated that the altered methylation profile may play a role in regulating signalling pathways with specific functions in the two subgroups of ER BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Corsaro
- Centro Diagnostico Italiano, Università di Pavia, 20100 Milan, Italy
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21
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Chen J, Hei R, Chen C, Wu X, Han T, Bian H, Gu J, Lu Y, Zheng Q. CircCRIM1 suppresses osteosarcoma progression via sponging miR146a-5p and targeting NUMB. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:3463-3481. [PMID: 37693139 PMCID: PMC10492126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CircCRIM1 (hsa_circ_0002346) is a circular RNA derived from gene CRIM1 (the cysteine rich transmembrane BMP regulator 1 circRNAs) by back-splicing. Recent studies have suggested the diverse function of CircCRIM1 in the tumorigenesis of multiple malignancies, including osteosarcoma (OS). Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of circCRIM1 during OS progression. Differentially expressed circRNAs (including circCRIM1) in OS and human osteoblast (hFOB1.19) cell lines were selected by searching the circRNA expression microarray dataset of GSE96964. The expression levels of circCRIM1 and its sponging miRNAs and target genes were examined by RT-qPCR. The effects of circCRIM1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells were investigated by in vitro gain of function experiments. The in vivo function of circCRIM1 on OS was evaluated by measuring the subcutaneous and in situ tumor growth in nude mice. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter assay and in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms of circCRIM1 and its sponging miRNAs and target genes in OS. CircCRIM1 is downregulated in human OS cell lines and predominantly presents in the cytoplasm as demonstrated by RT-qPCR and FISH assays. Overexpression of circCRIM1 suppressed the migration, invasion, proliferation of OS cells in vitro and OS tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified miR146a-5p as a sponge miRNA of circCRIM1 through bioinformatic prediction and confirmed their interaction and colocalization via reporter gene assay and FISH analysis. This interaction leads to increase expression of the downstream target gene NUMB, which will cause inhibition of the Notch signal pathway. We further demonstrated that miR146a-5p overexpression could reverse the antitumor effect induced by circCRIM1 in OS cells. Our results support that circCRIM1 acts as a tumor suppressor in OS by sponging miR146a-5p and its downstream target NUMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinnan Chen
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruoxuan Hei
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Clinical Diagnose, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical UniversityXi’an 710000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tiaotiao Han
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiqin Bian
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junxia Gu
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaojuan Lu
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
- Shenzhen Walgenron Bio-Pharm Co., Ltd.Shenzhen 518118, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiping Zheng
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
- Shenzhen Walgenron Bio-Pharm Co., Ltd.Shenzhen 518118, Guangdong, China
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22
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Vigolo M, Urech C, Lamy S, Monticone G, Zabaleta J, Hossain F, Wyczechowska D, Del Valle L, O’Regan RM, Miele L, Lehal R, Majumder S. The Efficacy of CB-103, a First-in-Class Transcriptional Notch Inhibitor, in Preclinical Models of Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3957. [PMID: 37568775 PMCID: PMC10416998 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153957] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of CB-103 was evaluated in preclinical models of both ER+ and TNBC. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of combining CB-103 with fulvestrant in ER+ BC and paclitaxel in TNBC was determined. METHODS CB-103 was screened in combination with a panel of anti-neoplastic drugs. We evaluated the anti-tumor activity of CB-103 with fulvestrant in ESR1-mutant (Y537S), endocrine-resistant BC xenografts. In the same model, we examined anti-CSC activity in mammosphere formation assays for CB-103 alone or in combination with fulvestrant or palbociclib. We also evaluated the effect of CB-103 plus paclitaxel on primary tumors and CSC in a GSI-resistant TNBC model HCC1187. Comparisons between groups were performed with a two-sided unpaired Students' t-test. A one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-analysis was performed to analyze the in vivo efficacy study results. THE RESULTS CB-103 showed synergism with fulvestrant in ER+ cells and paclitaxel in TNBC cells. CB-103 combined with fulvestrant or paclitaxel potently inhibited mammosphere formation in both models. Combination of CB-103 and fulvestrant significantly reduced tumor volume in an ESR1-mutant, the endocrine-resistant BC model. In a GSI-resistant TNBC model, CB-103 plus paclitaxel significantly delayed tumor growth compared to paclitaxel alone. CONCLUSION our data indicate that CB-103 is an attractive candidate for clinical investigation in endocrine-resistant, recurrent breast cancers with biomarker-confirmed Notch activity in combination with SERDs and/or CDKis and in TNBCs with biomarker-confirmed Notch activity in combination with taxane-containing chemotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Vigolo
- Cellestia Biotech AG, 4057 Basel, Switzerland; (M.V.); (C.U.); (S.L.)
| | - Charlotte Urech
- Cellestia Biotech AG, 4057 Basel, Switzerland; (M.V.); (C.U.); (S.L.)
| | - Sebastien Lamy
- Cellestia Biotech AG, 4057 Basel, Switzerland; (M.V.); (C.U.); (S.L.)
| | - Giulia Monticone
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (G.M.); (F.H.); (L.M.)
| | - Jovanny Zabaleta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Fokhrul Hossain
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (G.M.); (F.H.); (L.M.)
| | - Dorota Wyczechowska
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Luis Del Valle
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Ruth M. O’Regan
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (G.M.); (F.H.); (L.M.)
| | - Rajwinder Lehal
- Cellestia Biotech AG, 4057 Basel, Switzerland; (M.V.); (C.U.); (S.L.)
| | - Samarpan Majumder
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (G.M.); (F.H.); (L.M.)
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23
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Rodina A, Xu C, Digwal CS, Joshi S, Patel Y, Santhaseela AR, Bay S, Merugu S, Alam A, Yan P, Yang C, Roychowdhury T, Panchal P, Shrestha L, Kang Y, Sharma S, Almodovar J, Corben A, Alpaugh ML, Modi S, Guzman ML, Fei T, Taldone T, Ginsberg SD, Erdjument-Bromage H, Neubert TA, Manova-Todorova K, Tsou MFB, Young JC, Wang T, Chiosis G. Systems-level analyses of protein-protein interaction network dysfunctions via epichaperomics identify cancer-specific mechanisms of stress adaptation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3742. [PMID: 37353488 PMCID: PMC10290137 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39241-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Systems-level assessments of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network dysfunctions are currently out-of-reach because approaches enabling proteome-wide identification, analysis, and modulation of context-specific PPI changes in native (unengineered) cells and tissues are lacking. Herein, we take advantage of chemical binders of maladaptive scaffolding structures termed epichaperomes and develop an epichaperome-based 'omics platform, epichaperomics, to identify PPI alterations in disease. We provide multiple lines of evidence, at both biochemical and functional levels, demonstrating the importance of these probes to identify and study PPI network dysfunctions and provide mechanistically and therapeutically relevant proteome-wide insights. As proof-of-principle, we derive systems-level insight into PPI dysfunctions of cancer cells which enabled the discovery of a context-dependent mechanism by which cancer cells enhance the fitness of mitotic protein networks. Importantly, our systems levels analyses support the use of epichaperome chemical binders as therapeutic strategies aimed at normalizing PPI networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rodina
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Chao Xu
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Chander S Digwal
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Suhasini Joshi
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yogita Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, Groupe de Recherche Axé sur la Structure des Protéines, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Anand R Santhaseela
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sadik Bay
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Swathi Merugu
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Aftab Alam
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Pengrong Yan
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Chenghua Yang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Palak Panchal
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Liza Shrestha
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yanlong Kang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sahil Sharma
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Justina Almodovar
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Adriana Corben
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Mary L Alpaugh
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | - Shanu Modi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Solid Tumors, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Monica L Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Teng Fei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Tony Taldone
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Physiology & the NYU Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Thomas A Neubert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Katia Manova-Todorova
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Meng-Fu Bryan Tsou
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jason C Young
- Department of Biochemistry, Groupe de Recherche Axé sur la Structure des Protéines, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Tai Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Gabriela Chiosis
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Solid Tumors, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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24
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Villemin JP, Bassaganyas L, Pourquier D, Boissière F, Cabello-Aguilar S, Crapez E, Tanos R, Cornillot E, Turtoi A, Colinge J. Inferring ligand-receptor cellular networks from bulk and spatial transcriptomic datasets with BulkSignalR. Nucleic Acids Res 2023:7152875. [PMID: 37144485 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of cellular networks mediated by ligand-receptor interactions has attracted much attention recently owing to single-cell omics. However, rich collections of bulk data accompanied with clinical information exists and continue to be generated with no equivalent in single-cell so far. In parallel, spatial transcriptomic (ST) analyses represent a revolutionary tool in biology. A large number of ST projects rely on multicellular resolution, for instance the Visium™ platform, where several cells are analyzed at each location, thus producing localized bulk data. Here, we describe BulkSignalR, a R package to infer ligand-receptor networks from bulk data. BulkSignalR integrates ligand-receptor interactions with downstream pathways to estimate statistical significance. A range of visualization methods complement the statistics, including functions dedicated to spatial data. We demonstrate BulkSignalR relevance using different datasets, including new Visium liver metastasis ST data, with experimental validation of protein colocalization. A comparison with other ST packages shows the significantly higher quality of BulkSignalR inferences. BulkSignalR can be applied to any species thanks to its built-in generic ortholog mapping functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Villemin
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Laia Bassaganyas
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Pourquier
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | | | - Simon Cabello-Aguilar
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Evelyne Crapez
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Rita Tanos
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Cornillot
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Colinge
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U 1194, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), Montpellier, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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25
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Wu Q, Sharma D. Autophagy and Breast Cancer: Connected in Growth, Progression, and Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081156. [PMID: 37190065 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite an increase in the incidence of breast cancer worldwide, overall prognosis has been consistently improving owing to the development of multiple targeted therapies and novel combination regimens including endocrine therapies, aromatase inhibitors, Her2-targeted therapies, and cdk4/6 inhibitors. Immunotherapy is also being actively examined for some breast cancer subtypes. This overall positive outlook is marred by the development of resistance or reduced efficacy of the drug combinations, but the underlying mechanisms are somewhat unclear. It is interesting to note that cancer cells quickly adapt and evade most therapies by activating autophagy, a catabolic process designed to recycle damaged cellular components and provide energy. In this review, we discuss the role of autophagy and autophagy-associated proteins in breast cancer growth, drug sensitivity, tumor dormancy, stemness, and recurrence. We further explore how autophagy intersects and reduces the efficacy of endocrine therapies, targeted therapies, radiotherapy, chemotherapies as well as immunotherapy via modulating various intermediate proteins, miRs, and lncRNAs. Lastly, the potential application of autophagy inhibitors and bioactive molecules to improve the anticancer effects of drugs by circumventing the cytoprotective autophagy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qitong Wu
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA
| | - Dipali Sharma
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA
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26
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Loric S, Denis JA, Desbene C, Sabbah M, Conti M. Extracellular Vesicles in Breast Cancer: From Biology and Function to Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7208. [PMID: 37108371 PMCID: PMC10139222 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the first worldwide most frequent cancer in both sexes and the most commonly diagnosed in females. Although BC mortality has been thoroughly declining over the past decades, there are still considerable differences between women diagnosed with early BC and when metastatic BC is diagnosed. BC treatment choice is widely dependent on precise histological and molecular characterization. However, recurrence or distant metastasis still occurs even with the most recent efficient therapies. Thus, a better understanding of the different factors underlying tumor escape is mainly mandatory. Among the leading candidates is the continuous interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment, where extracellular vesicles play a significant role. Among extracellular vesicles, smaller ones, also called exosomes, can carry biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and generate signal transmission through an intercellular transfer of their content. This mechanism allows tumor cells to recruit and modify the adjacent and systemic microenvironment to support further invasion and dissemination. By reciprocity, stromal cells can also use exosomes to profoundly modify tumor cell behavior. This review intends to cover the most recent literature on the role of extracellular vesicle production in normal and cancerous breast tissues. Specific attention is paid to the use of extracellular vesicles for early BC diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis because exosomes are actually under the spotlight of researchers as a high-potential source of liquid biopsies. Extracellular vesicles in BC treatment as new targets for therapy or efficient nanovectors to drive drug delivery are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Loric
- INSERM U538, CRSA, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, 75012 Paris, France; (J.A.D.)
| | | | - Cédric Desbene
- INSERM U538, CRSA, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, 75012 Paris, France; (J.A.D.)
| | - Michèle Sabbah
- INSERM U538, CRSA, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, 75012 Paris, France; (J.A.D.)
| | - Marc Conti
- INSERM U538, CRSA, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, 75012 Paris, France; (J.A.D.)
- INTEGRACELL SAS, 91160 Longjumeau, France
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27
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Subhan MA, Parveen F, Shah H, Yalamarty SSK, Ataide JA, Torchilin VP. Recent Advances with Precision Medicine Treatment for Breast Cancer including Triple-Negative Sub-Type. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082204. [PMID: 37190133 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different molecular subtypes. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in woman due to rapid metastasis and disease recurrence. Precision medicine remains an essential source to lower the off-target toxicities of chemotherapeutic agents and maximize the patient benefits. This is a crucial approach for a more effective treatment and prevention of disease. Precision-medicine methods are based on the selection of suitable biomarkers to envision the effectiveness of targeted therapy in a specific group of patients. Several druggable mutations have been identified in breast cancer patients. Current improvements in omics technologies have focused on more precise strategies for precision therapy. The development of next-generation sequencing technologies has raised hopes for precision-medicine treatment strategies in breast cancer (BC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Targeted therapies utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi), poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oncolytic viruses (OVs), glucose transporter-1 inhibitor (GLUT1i), and targeting signaling pathways are potential treatment approaches for BC and TNBC. This review emphasizes the recent progress made with the precision-medicine therapy of metastatic breast cancer and TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdus Subhan
- Department of Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Parveen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
- Department of Pharmacy Services, DHQ Hospital Jhang 35200, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Hassan Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Janaína Artem Ataide
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-871, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdimir P Torchilin
- CPBN, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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28
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Gholami M, Klashami ZN, Ebrahimi P, Mahboobipour AA, Farid AS, Vahidi A, Zoughi M, Asadi M, Amoli MM. Metformin and long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:155. [PMID: 36849958 PMCID: PMC9969691 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer and cause of death in women. In recent years many studies investigated the association of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as novel genetic factors, on BC risk, survival, clinical and pathological features. Recent studies also investigated the roles of metformin treatment as the firstline treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D) played in lncRNAs expression/regulation or BC incidence, outcome, mortality and survival, separately. This comprehensive study aimed to review lncRNAs associated with BC features and identify metformin-regulated lncRNAs and their mechanisms of action on BC or other types of cancers. Finally, metformin affects BC by regulating five BC-associated lncRNAs including GAS5, HOTAIR, MALAT1, and H19, by several molecular mechanisms have been described in this review. In addition, metformin action on other types of cancers by regulating ten lncRNAs including AC006160.1, Loc100506691, lncRNA-AF085935, SNHG7, HULC, UCA1, H19, MALAT1, AFAP1-AS1, AC026904.1 is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Gholami
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeynab Nickhah Klashami
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pirooz Ebrahimi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata, Italy
| | | | - Amir Salehi Farid
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aida Vahidi
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Zoughi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Asadi
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa M Amoli
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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29
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FBXL2 promotes E47 protein instability to inhibit breast cancer stemness and paclitaxel resistance. Oncogene 2023; 42:339-350. [PMID: 36460773 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02559-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a high risk of metastasis and recurrence. Although chemotherapy has greatly improved the clinical outcome of TNBC patients, acquired drug resistance remains a huge challenge for TNBC treatment. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a critical role in breast cancer development, metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance. Thus, it is of great importance to decipher the underlying molecular mechanism of BCSCs regulation for TNBC drug resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that the F-box protein FBXL2 is a critical negative regulator of BCSCs stemness and that downregulation of FBXL2 plays a causal role in TNBC drug resistance. We show that expression levels of FBXL2 significantly influence CD44high/CD24low subpopulation and the mammosphere formation ability of TNBC cells. Ectopic expression of FBXL2 inhibits initiation of TNBC and overcomes paclitaxel resistance in vivo. In addition, activation of FBXL2 by nebivolol, a clinically used small-molecule inhibitor of the beta-1 receptor, markedly overcomes BCSCs-induced paclitaxel resistance. Mechanistically, we show that FBXL2 targets transcriptional factor E47 for polyubiquitin- and proteasome-mediated degradation, resulting in inhibition of BCSC stemness. Clinical analyses indicate that low expression of FBXL2 correlates with high expression of E47 as well as with high stemness features, and is associated with poor clinical outcomes of breast cancer patients. Taken together, these results highlight that the FBXL2-E47 axis plays a critical role in the regulation of BCSC stemness and paclitaxel resistance. Thus, targeting FBXL2 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for drug-resistant TNBC.
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Zekri ARN, Bahnassy A, Mourad M, Malash I, Ahmed O, Abdellateif MS. Genetic profiling of different phenotypic subsets of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in breast cancer patients. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:423. [PMID: 36585652 PMCID: PMC9805169 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02841-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have a crucial role in breast carcinogenesis, development, and progression. The aim of the current study is to characterize the BCSCs through the genetic profiling of different BCSCs phenotypic subsets to determine their related genetic pathways. METHODS Fresh tumor tissue samples were obtained from 31 breast cancer (BC) patients for (1) Mammosphere culture. (2) Magnetic separation of the BCSCs subsets using CD24, CD44, and CD326 Microbeads. (3) Flow cytometry (FCM) assay using CD44, CD24, and EpCAM. (4) RT-PCR profiler Arrays using stem cell (SC) panel of 84 genes for four group of cells (1) CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM- BCSCs, (2) CD44+/CD24- /EpCAM+ BCSCs, (3) mammospheres, and (4) normal breast tissues. RESULTS The BCSCs (CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM-) showed significant downregulation in 13 genes and upregulation in 15, where the CD44, GJB1 and GDF3 showed the maximal expression (P = 0.001, P = 0.003 and P = 0.007); respectively). The CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+ BCSCs showed significant upregulation in 28 genes, where the CD44, GDF3, and GJB1 showed maximal expression (P < 0.001, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003; respectively). The mammospheres showed significant downregulation in 9 genes and a significant upregulation in 35 genes. The maximal overexpression was observed in GJB1 and FGF2 (P = 0.001, P = 0.001; respectively). The genes which achieved significant overexpression in all SC subsets were CD44, COL9A1, FGF1, FGF2, GDF3, GJA1, GJB1, GJB2, HSPA9, and KRT15. While significant downregulation in BMP2, BMP3, EP300, and KAT8. The genes which were differentially expressed by the mammospheres compared to the other BCSC subsets were CCND2, FGF3, CD4, WNT1, KAT2A, NUMB, ACAN, COL2A1, TUBB3, ASCL2, FOXA2, ISL1, DTX1, and DVL1. CONCLUSION BCSCs have specific molecular profiles that differ according to their phenotypes which could affect patients' prognosis and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel-Rahman N. Zekri
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer Bahnassy
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Magda Mourad
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Malash
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ola Ahmed
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona S. Abdellateif
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Nguyen Hoang VA, Nguyen ST, Nguyen TV, Pham TH, Doan PL, Nguyen Thi NT, Nguyen ML, Dinh TC, Pham DH, Nguyen NM, Nguyen DS, Nguyen DQ, Lu YT, Do TTT, Truong DK, Phan MD, Nguyen HN, Giang H, Tu LN. Genetic landscape and personalized tracking of tumor mutations in Vietnamese women with breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2022; 17:598-610. [PMID: 36495126 PMCID: PMC10061293 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13356] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Vietnamese women, but its mutational landscape and actionable alterations for targeted therapies remain unknown. After treatment, a sensitive biomarker to complement conventional imaging to monitor patients is also lacking. In this prospective multi-center study, 134 early-stage breast cancer patients eligible for curative-intent surgery were recruited. Genomic DNA from tumor tissues and paired white blood cells were sequenced to profile all tumor-derived mutations in 95 cancer-associated genes. Our bioinformatic algorithm was then utilized to identify top mutations for individual patients. Serial plasma samples were collected before surgery and at scheduled visits after surgery. Personalized assay tracking the selected mutations were performed to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the plasma. We found that the mutational landscape of the Vietnamese was largely similar to other Asian cohorts, showing higher TP53 mutation frequency than in Caucasians. Alterations in PIK3CA and PI3K signaling were dominant, particularly in our triple-negative subgroup. Using top-ranked mutations, we detected ctDNA in pre-operative plasma in 24.6-43.5% of the hormone-receptor-positive groups and 76.9-80.8% of the hormone-receptor-negative groups. The detection rate was associated with breast cancer subtypes and clinicopathological features that increased the risk of relapse. Interim analysis after a 15-month follow-up revealed post-operative detection of ctDNA in all three patients that had recurrence, with a lead time of 7-13 months ahead of clinical diagnosis. Our personalized assay is streamlined and affordable with promising clinical utility in residual cancer surveillance. We also generated the first somatic variant dataset for Vietnamese breast cancer women that could lay the foundation for precision cancer medicine in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van-Anh Nguyen Hoang
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | | | | | - Phuoc Loc Doan
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Thanh Nguyen Thi
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Minh Long Nguyen
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thi Cuc Dinh
- Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Ngoc Mai Nguyen
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duy Sinh Nguyen
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Du Quyen Nguyen
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Y-Thanh Lu
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Minh-Duy Phan
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Hoa Giang
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Lan N Tu
- Medical Genetics Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Gene Solutions, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Luo J, Cao D, Hu C, Liang Z, Zhang Y, Lai J. Lymphatic metastasis-associated circRNA‒miRNA‒mRNA network for exploring the pathogenesis and therapeutic target of triple negative breast cancer based on whole-transcriptome sequencing analysis: an experimental verification study. J Transl Med 2022; 20:508. [PMID: 36335337 PMCID: PMC9636725 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03728-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The metastatic mechanisms of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain unclear. We aimed to identify the potential circRNA regulatory network in ALN metastasis. METHODS We performed whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) to determine the expression profiles of RNAs and screen out differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEMs), microRNAs (DEMis), and circRNAs (DECs) between ALN-positive and ALN-negative TNBC patients. Functional enrichment analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were utilized to unearth the potential regulatory mechanisms of the DEMs. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed using computational biology. The expression levels of DECs in cell lines were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT‒PCR). RESULTS Following WTS and differential expression analysis, 739 DEMs, 110 DEMis, and 206 DECs were identified between ALN-positive and ALN-negative TNBC patients. Functional analysis indicated that the DEMs mainly functioned in carcinogenesis and tumor progression-related pathways. ceRNA networks containing eight circRNAs, six miRNAs, and eighteen mRNAs were developed. In the ceRNA network, two mRNAs (RAB3D and EDARADD) that were significantly associated with better overall survival and one mRNA (GSR) that predicted favorable recurrence-free survival in TNBC patients were chosen for further analysis. Then, a survival-related ceRNA network containing two DECs (hsa_circ_0061260 and hsa_circ_0060876), two DEMis (hsa-miR-5000-3p and hsa-miR-4792), and three mRNAs (GSR, RAB3D, and EDARADD) was identified. Then, two candidate DECs were validated by real-time PCR. CONCLUSION Our research constructed a ceRNA network that provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of ALN metastasis and potential therapeutic targets in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuwen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanping Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianguo Lai
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Xu Q, Kaur J, Wylie D, Mittal K, Li H, Kolachina R, Aleskandarany M, Toss MS, Green AR, Yang J, Yankeelov TE, Bhattarai S, Janssen EAM, Kong J, Rakha EA, Kowalski J, Aneja R. A Case Series Exploration of Multi-Regional Expression Heterogeneity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13322. [PMID: 36362107 PMCID: PMC9655720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is believed to contribute to therapeutic failure and tumor recurrence, as treatment-resistant cell clones can survive and expand. However, little is known about ITH in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) because of the limited number of single-cell sequencing studies on TNBC. In this study, we explored ITH in TNBC by evaluating gene expression-derived and imaging-derived multi-region differences within the same tumor. We obtained tissue specimens from 10 TNBC patients and conducted RNA sequencing analysis of 2-4 regions per tumor. We developed a novel analysis framework to dissect and characterize different types of variability: between-patients (inter-tumoral heterogeneity), between-patients across regions (inter-tumoral and region heterogeneity), and within-patient, between-regions (regional intratumoral heterogeneity). We performed a Bayesian changepoint analysis to assess and classify regional variability as low (convergent) versus high (divergent) within each patient feature (TNBC and PAM50 subtypes, immune, stroma, tumor counts and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes). Gene expression signatures were categorized into three types of variability: between-patients (108 genes), between-patients across regions (183 genes), and within-patients, between-regions (778 genes). Based on the between-patient gene signature, we identified two distinct patient clusters that differed in menopausal status. Significant intratumoral divergence was observed for PAM50 classification, tumor cell counts, and tumor-infiltrating T cell abundance. Other features examined showed a representation of both divergent and convergent results. Lymph node stage was significantly associated with divergent tumors. Our results show extensive intertumoral heterogeneity and regional ITH in gene expression and image-derived features in TNBC. Our findings also raise concerns regarding gene expression based TNBC subtyping. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the role of regional heterogeneity in TNBC as a driver of treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Dennis Wylie
- Center for Biomedical Research Support, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| | - Karuna Mittal
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Hongxiao Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Rishab Kolachina
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | | | - Michael S. Toss
- University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Andrew R. Green
- University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jianchen Yang
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, and Oncology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| | - Thomas E. Yankeelov
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, and Oncology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| | - Shristi Bhattarai
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Emiel A. M. Janssen
- Department of Pathology, Stavanger University Hospital, 4011 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Jun Kong
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Emad A. Rakha
- University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jeanne Kowalski
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ritu Aneja
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Ingthorsson S, Traustadottir GA, Gudjonsson T. Cellular Plasticity and Heterotypic Interactions during Breast Morphogenesis and Cancer Initiation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215209. [PMID: 36358627 PMCID: PMC9654604 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review aims to discuss the structure, function and dynamics of the breast gland and how changes to the function of the breast’s cells can lead to different types of cancer. Abstract The human breast gland is a unique organ as most of its development occurs postnatally between menarche and menopause, a period ranging from 30 to 40 years. During this period, the monthly menstruation cycle drives the mammary gland through phases of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, facilitated via a closely choreographed interaction between the epithelial cells and the surrounding stroma preparing the gland for pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, maximal differentiation is reached to prepare for lactation. After lactation, the mammary gland involutes to a pre-pregnant state. These cycles of proliferation, differentiation, and involution necessitate the presence of epithelial stem cells that give rise to progenitor cells which differentiate further into the luminal and myoepithelial lineages that constitute the epithelial compartment and are responsible for the branching structure of the gland. Maintaining homeostasis and the stem cell niche depends strongly on signaling between the stem and progenitor cells and the surrounding stroma. Breast cancer is a slowly progressing disease whose initiation can take decades to progress into an invasive form. Accumulating evidence indicates that stem cells and/or progenitor cells at different stages, rather than terminally differentiated cells are the main cells of origin for most breast cancer subgroups. Stem cells and cancer cells share several similarities such as increased survival and cellular plasticity which is reflected in their ability to switch fate by receiving intrinsic and extrinsic signals. In this review, we discuss the concept of cellular plasticity in normal breast morphogenesis and cancer, and how the stromal environment plays a vital role in cancer initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saevar Ingthorsson
- Stem Cell Research Unit, Biomedical Center, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Faculty of nursing and midwifery, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gunnhildur Asta Traustadottir
- Stem Cell Research Unit, Biomedical Center, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Pathology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thorarinn Gudjonsson
- Stem Cell Research Unit, Biomedical Center, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Correspondence:
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Advances in Biomarkers and Endogenous Regulation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192941. [PMID: 36230903 PMCID: PMC9562239 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Even if breast cancer patients initially respond to treatment, developed resistance can lead to a poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a group of undifferentiated cells with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation characteristics. Existing evidence has shown that CSCs are one of the determinants that contribute to the heterogeneity of primary tumors. The emergence of CSCs causes tumor recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Previous studies indicated that different stemness-associated surface markers can identify other breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) subpopulations. Deciphering the critical signaling networks that are involved in the induction and maintenance of stemness is essential to develop novel BCSC-targeting strategies. In this review, we reviewed the biomarkers of BCSCs, critical regulators of BCSCs, and the signaling networks that regulate the stemness of BCSCs.
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Jiang N, Hu Y, Wang M, Zhao Z, Li M. The Notch Signaling Pathway Contributes to Angiogenesis and Tumor Immunity in Breast Cancer. BREAST CANCER: TARGETS AND THERAPY 2022; 14:291-309. [PMID: 36193236 PMCID: PMC9526507 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s376873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer in women is the first leading tumor in terms of incidence worldwide. Some subtypes of BC lack distinct molecular targets and exhibit therapeutic resistance; these patients have a poor prognosis. Thus, the search for new molecular targets is an ongoing challenge for BC therapy. The Notch signaling pathway is found in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and it is a highly conserved in the evolution of the species, controlling cellular fates such as death, proliferation, and differentiation. Numerous studies have shown that improper activation of Notch signaling may lead to excessive cell proliferation and cancer, with tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effects in various carcinomas. Thus, inhibitors of Notch signaling are actively being investigated for the treatment of various tumors. The role of Notch signaling in BC has been widely studied in recent years. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Notch signaling has a pro-oncogenic role in BC, and the tumor-promoting effect is largely a result of the diverse nature of tumor immunity. Immunological abnormality is also a factor involved in the pathogenesis of BC, suggesting that Notch signaling could be a target for BC immunotherapies. Furthermore, angiogenesis is essential for BC growth and metastasis, and the Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in angiogenesis, so studying the role of Notch signaling in BC angiogenesis will provide new prospects for the treatment of BC. We summarize the potential roles of the current Notch signaling pathway and its inhibitors in BC angiogenesis and the immune response in this review and describe the pharmacological targets of Notch signaling in BC, which may serve as a theoretical foundation for future research into exploring this pathway for novel BC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Jiang
- Department of Oncology, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye Hu
- Department of Oncology, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiling Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zuowei Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zuowei Zhao, Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0411-84671291, Fax +86-0411-84671230, Email
| | - Man Li
- Department of Oncology, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
- Man Li, Department of Oncology, the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0411-84671291, Fax +86-0411-84671230, Email
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37
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Herbal Ingredients in the Prevention of Breast Cancer: Comprehensive Review of Potential Molecular Targets and Role of Natural Products. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:6044640. [PMID: 36017236 PMCID: PMC9398845 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6044640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among various cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent type in women throughout the world. Breast cancer treatment is challenging due to complex nature of the etiology of disease. Cell division cycle alterations are often encountered in a variety of cancer types including breast cancer. Common treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy; however, adverse effects and multidrug resistance lead to complications and noncompliance. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for natural products from medicinal plants and foods. This review summarizes molecular mechanisms of signaling pathways in breast cancer and identifies mechanisms by which natural compounds may exert their efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Routh ED, Van Swearingen AED, Sambade MJ, Vensko S, McClure MB, Woodcock MG, Chai S, Cuaboy LA, Wheless A, Garrett A, Carey LA, Hoyle AP, Parker JS, Vincent BG, Anders CK. Comprehensive Analysis of the Immunogenomics of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases From LCCC1419. Front Oncol 2022; 12:818693. [PMID: 35992833 PMCID: PMC9387304 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.818693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive variant of breast cancer that lacks the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) and HER2. Nearly 50% of patients with advanced TNBC will develop brain metastases (BrM), commonly with progressive extracranial disease. Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of advanced TNBC; however, the immune contexture of BrM remains largely unknown. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of TNBC BrM and matched primary tumors to characterize the genomic and immune landscape of TNBC BrM to inform the development of immunotherapy strategies in this aggressive disease. Methods Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing were conducted on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of BrM and primary tumors of patients with clinical TNBC (n = 25, n = 9 matched pairs) from the LCCC1419 biobank at UNC—Chapel Hill. Matched blood was analyzed by DNA sequencing as a comparison for tumor WES for the identification of somatic variants. A comprehensive genomics assessment, including mutational and copy number alteration analyses, neoantigen prediction, and transcriptomic analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment were performed. Results Primary and BrM tissues were confirmed as TNBC (23/25 primaries, 16/17 BrM) by immunohistochemistry and of the basal intrinsic subtype (13/15 primaries and 16/19 BrM) by PAM50. Compared to primary tumors, BrM demonstrated a higher tumor mutational burden. TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene and was altered in 50% of the samples. Neoantigen prediction showed elevated cancer testis antigen- and endogenous retrovirus-derived MHC class I-binding peptides in both primary tumors and BrM and predicted that single-nucleotide variant (SNV)-derived peptides were significantly higher in BrM. BrM demonstrated a reduced immune gene signature expression, although a signature associated with fibroblast-associated wound healing was elevated in BrM. Metrics of T and B cell receptor diversity were also reduced in BrM. Conclusions BrM harbored higher mutational burden and SNV-derived neoantigen expression along with reduced immune gene signature expression relative to primary TNBC. Immune signatures correlated with improved survival, including T cell signatures. Further research will expand these findings to other breast cancer subtypes in the same biobank. Exploration of immunomodulatory approaches including vaccine applications and immune checkpoint inhibition to enhance anti-tumor immunity in TNBC BrM is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Routh
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amanda E. D. Van Swearingen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Maria J. Sambade
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Steven Vensko
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Marni B. McClure
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mark G. Woodcock
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Shengjie Chai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Luz A. Cuaboy
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amy Wheless
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amy Garrett
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lisa A. Carey
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Alan P. Hoyle
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joel S. Parker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin G. Vincent
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Hematology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Carey K. Anders
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Carey K. Anders,
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Chimento A, D’Amico M, Pezzi V, De Amicis F. Notch Signaling in Breast Tumor Microenvironment as Mediator of Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116296. [PMID: 35682974 PMCID: PMC9181656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling dysregulation encourages breast cancer progression through different mechanisms such as stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation and migration/invasion. Furthermore, Notch is a crucial driver regulating juxtracrine and paracrine communications between tumor and stroma. The complex interplay between the abnormal Notch pathway orchestrating the activation of other signals and cellular heterogeneity contribute towards remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. These changes, together with tumor evolution and treatment pressure, drive breast cancer drug resistance. Preclinical studies have shown that targeting the Notch pathway can prevent or reverse resistance, reducing or eliminating breast cancer stem cells. In the present review, we will summarize the current scientific evidence that highlights the involvement of Notch activation within the breast tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tumor/stroma/immune system interplay and its involvement in mechanisms of therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Chimento
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
| | - Maria D’Amico
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Health Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pezzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984-493148
| | - Francesca De Amicis
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Health Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
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Yao L, Tian F. GRWD1 affects the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of triple negative breast cancer through the Notch signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:473. [PMID: 35761807 PMCID: PMC9214606 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous tumor, among which triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most invasive and prone to recurrence and metastasis. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of glutamate-rich WD-repeat-containing protein 1 (GRWD1) in TNBC cells. The expression of GRWD1 in the normal human breast epithelial cells and human breast cancer cells was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis. The transfection effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-GRWD1 and overexpression (Ov)-Notch1 were also confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blotting. The proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of transfected cells were in turn analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, Matrigel and wound healing assays. The expression of proteins related to proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the Notch signaling pathway was detected by western blotting. As a result, GRWD1 expression was upregulated in breast cancer cells and was revealed to be highest in MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937 cells. GRWD1 knockdown suppressed TNBC cell proliferation, invasion and migration and promoted TNBC cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of Notch1 and Notch4 was inhibited by GRWD1 knockdown. The expression of downstream genes of the Notch signaling pathway Hes1, Hes5, Hey1, Hey2, p21, c-Myc, cyclin D1, human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor and NF-κB were all suppressed after siRNA-GRWD1 transfection. However, Notch1 overexpression reversed the effect of GRWD1 knockdown on biological behaviors of TNBC cells. In conclusion, GRWD1 knockdown could suppress the proliferation, invasion and migration and promoted apoptosis of TNBC cells through inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, P.R. China
| | - Fuguo Tian
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, P.R. China
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Giuli MV, Mancusi A, Giuliani E, Screpanti I, Checquolo S. Notch signaling in female cancers: a multifaceted node to overcome drug resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 4:805-836. [PMID: 35582386 PMCID: PMC8992449 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is one of the main challenges in cancer therapy, including in the treatment of female-specific malignancies, which account for more than 60% of cancer cases among women. Therefore, elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms is an urgent need in gynecological cancers to foster novel therapeutic approaches. Notably, Notch signaling, including either receptors or ligands, has emerged as a promising candidate given its multifaceted role in almost all of the hallmarks of cancer. Concerning the connection between Notch pathway and drug resistance in the afore-mentioned tumor contexts, several studies focused on the Notch-dependent regulation of the cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation or the induction of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), both features implicated in either intrinsic or acquired resistance. Indeed, the present review provides an up-to-date overview of the published results on Notch signaling and EMT- or CSC-driven drug resistance. Moreover, other drug resistance-related mechanisms are examined such as the involvement of the Notch pathway in drug efflux and tumor microenvironment. Collectively, there is a long way to go before every facet will be fully understood; nevertheless, some small pieces are falling neatly into place. Overall, the main aim of this review is to provide strong evidence in support of Notch signaling inhibition as an effective strategy to evade or reverse resistance in female-specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Giuli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Angelica Mancusi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Eugenia Giuliani
- Scientific Direction, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Saula Checquolo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University, Latina 04100, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome 00161, Italy
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Fultang N, Chakraborty M, Peethambaran B. Regulation of cancer stem cells in triple negative breast cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 4:321-342. [PMID: 35582030 PMCID: PMC9019272 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer. Despite the successes of emerging targeted therapies, relapse, recurrence, and therapy failure rates in TNBC significantly outpace other subtypes of breast cancer. Mounting evidence suggests accumulation of therapy resistant Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) populations within TNBCs contributes to poor clinical outcomes. These CSCs are enriched in TNBC compared to non-TNBC breast cancers. The mechanisms underlying CSC accumulation have been well-characterized and discussed in other reviews. In this review, we focus on TNBC-specific mechanisms that allow the expansion and activity of self-renewing CSCs. We highlight cellular signaling pathways and transcription factors, specifically enriched in TNBC over non-TNBC breast cancer, contributing to stemness. We also analyze publicly available single-cell RNA-seq data from basal breast cancer tumors to highlight the potential of emerging bioinformatic approaches in identifying novel drivers of stemness in TNBC and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Fultang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Madhuparna Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Bela Peethambaran
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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Kałafut J, Czapiński J, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Czerwonka A, Odrzywolski A, Sahlgren C, Rivero-Müller A. Optogenetic control of NOTCH1 signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:67. [PMID: 35585598 PMCID: PMC9118860 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00885-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is a crucial regulator of cell differentiation as well as tissue organization, whose deregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of different diseases. NOTCH1 plays a key role in breast cancer progression by increasing proliferation, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and impairment of cell death. NOTCH1 is a mechanosensitive receptor, where mechanical force is required to activate the proteolytic cleavage and release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). We circumvent this limitation by regulating Notch activity by light. To achieve this, we have engineered an optogenetic NOTCH1 receptor (optoNotch) to control the activation of NOTCH1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) and its downstream transcriptional activities. Using optoNotch we confirm that NOTCH1 activation increases cell proliferation in MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells in 2D and spheroid 3D cultures, although causing distinct cell-type specific migratory phenotypes. Additionally, optoNotch activation induced chemoresistance on the same cell lines. OptoNotch allows the fine-tuning, ligand-independent, regulation of N1ICD activity and thus a better understanding of the spatiotemporal complexity of Notch signaling. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Czapiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Adrian Odrzywolski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biosciences, Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland.
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Xie X, Lee J, Iwase T, Kai M, Ueno NT. Emerging drug targets for triple-negative breast cancer: A guided tour of the preclinical landscape. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:405-425. [PMID: 35574694 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2077188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most fatal molecular subtype of breast cancer because of its aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. FDA-approved therapies for TNBC are limited to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and trophoblast cell surface antigen 2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. Therefore, developing a novel effective targeted therapy for TNBC is an urgent unmet need. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, we discuss emerging targets for TNBC treatment discovered in early translational studies. We focus on cancer cell membrane molecules, hyperactive intracellular signaling pathways, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) based on their druggability, therapeutic potency, specificity to TNBC, and application in immunotherapy. EXPERT OPINION The significant challenges in the identification and validation of TNBC-associated targets are 1) application of appropriate genetic, molecular, and immunological approaches for modulating the target, 2) establishment of a proper mouse model that accurately represents the human immune TME, 3) TNBC molecular heterogeneity, and 4) failure translation of preclinical findings to clinical practice. To overcome those difficulties, future research needs to apply novel technology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase sequencing, and humanized mouse models. Further, combination treatment targeting multiple pathways in both the TNBC tumor and its TME is essential for effective disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Xie
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Toshiaki Iwase
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Megumi Kai
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Liu D, Hofman P. Expression of NOTCH1, NOTCH4, HLA-DMA and HLA-DRA is synergistically associated with T cell exclusion, immune checkpoint blockade efficacy and recurrence risk in ER-negative breast cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:463-477. [PMID: 35543859 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00677-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Reliable biomarkers to predict the outcome and treatment response of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer (BC) are urgently needed. Since immune-related signaling plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of ER-negative BC, we asked whether Notch genes, alone or in combination with other immune genes, can be used to predict the clinical outcome and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for this type of cancer. METHODS We analyzed transcriptome data of 6918 BC samples from five independent cohorts, 81 xenograft triple-negative BC tumors that respond differently to ICB treatment and 754 samples of different cancer types from patients treated with ICB agents. RESULTS We found that among four Notch genes, the expression levels of NOTCH1 and NOTCH4 were positively associated with recurrence of ER-negative BC, and that combined expression of these two genes (named Notch14) further enhanced this association, which was comparable with that of the Notch pathway signature. Analysis of 1182 immune-related genes revealed that the expression levels of most HLA genes, particularly HLA-DMA and -DRA, were reversely associated with recurrence in ER-negative BC with low, but not high Notch14 expression. A combined expression signature of NOTCH1, NOTCH4, HLA-DMA and HLA-DRA was more prognostic for ER-negative and triple-negative BCs than previously reported immune-related signatures. Furthermore, we found that the expression levels of these four genes were also synergistically associated with T cell exclusion score, infiltration of specific T cells and ICB efficacy in ER-negative BC, thereby providing a potential molecular mechanism for the synergistic effect of these genes on BC. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that a gene signature composed of NOTCH1, NOTCH4, HLA-DMA and HLA-DRA may serve as a potential promising biomarker for predicting ICB therapy efficacy and recurrence in ER-negative/triple-negative BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxie Liu
- Bluewater Biotech LLC, PO Box 1010, New Providence, NJ, 07974, USA.
| | - Paul Hofman
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, University Côte d'Azur, 06100, Nice, France.
- Team 4, IRCAN, UMR 7284 U10181, FHU OncoAge, Centre Antoine Lacassagne University Côte d'Azur, 06107, Nice, France.
- Hospital-Integrated Biobank (BB-0033-00025), CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, University Côte d'Azur, 06100, Nice, France.
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Identification of Potential RBPJ-Specific Inhibitors for Blocking Notch Signaling in Breast Cancer Using a Drug Repurposing Strategy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050556. [PMID: 35631382 PMCID: PMC9146688 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is a key parameter in regulating cell fate during tissue homeostasis, and an aberrant Notch pathway can result in mammary gland carcinoma and has been associated with poor breast cancer diagnosis. Although inhibiting Notch signaling would be advantageous in the treatment of breast cancer, the currently available Notch inhibitors have a variety of side effects and their clinical trials have been discontinued. Thus, in search of a more effective and safer Notch inhibitor, inhibiting recombinant signal binding protein for immunoglobin kappaJ region (RBPJ) specifically makes sense, as RBPJ forms a transcriptional complex that activates Notch signaling. From our established database of more than 10,527 compounds, a drug repurposing strategy-combined docking study and molecular dynamic simulation were used to identify novel RBPJ-specific inhibitors. The compounds with the best performance were examined using an in vitro cellular assay and an in vivo anticancer investigation. Finally, an FDA-approved antibiotic, fidaxomicin, was identified as a potential RBPJ inhibitor, and its ability to block RBPJ-dependent transcription and thereby inhibit breast cancer growth was experimentally verified. Our study demonstrated that fidaxomicin suppressed Notch signaling and may be repurposed for the treatment of breast cancer.
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48
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Emergence of Nanotechnology as a Powerful Cavalry against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050542. [PMID: 35631368 PMCID: PMC9143332 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050542] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the un-manageable types of breast cancer, involving devoid of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2) receptors. Due to their ability of recurrence and metastasis, the management of TNBC remains a mainstay challenge, despite the advancements in cancer therapies. Conventional chemotherapy remains the only treatment regimen against TNBC and suffers several limitations such as low bioavailability, systemic toxicity, less targetability, and multi-drug resistance. Although various targeted therapies have been introduced to manage the hardship of TNBC, they still experience certain limitations associated with the survival benefits. The current research thus aimed at developing and improving the strategies for effective therapy against TNBC. Such strategies involved the emergence of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are designated as nanocavalries, loaded with various agents (drugs, genes, etc.) to battle the progression and metastasis of TNBC along with overcoming the limitations experienced by conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapy. This article documents the treatment regimens of TNBC along with their efficacy towards different subtypes of TNBC, and the various nanotechnologies employed to increase the therapeutic outcome of FDA-approved drug regimens.
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Li C, Pan J, Jiang Y, Wu Y, Jin Z, Chen X. Characterization of Pyroptosis-Related Subtypes via RNA-Seq and ScRNA-Seq to Predict Chemo-Immunotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:788670. [PMID: 35386285 PMCID: PMC8978671 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.788670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with poor prognosis and invalid therapeutical response to immunotherapy due to biological heterogeneity. There is an urgent need to screen for reliable indices, especially immunotherapy-associated biomarkers that can predict patient outcomes. Pyroptosis, as an inflammation-induced type of programmed cell death, is shown to create a tumor-suppressive environment and improve the chemotherapeutic response in multiple tumors. However, the specific therapeutic effect of pyroptosis in TNBC remains unclear. In this study, we present a consensus clustering by pyroptosis-related signatures of 119 patients with TNBC into two subtypes (clusterA and clusterB) with distinct immunological and prognostic characteristics. First, clusterB, associated with better outcomes, was characterized by a significantly higher pyroptosis-related signature expression, tumor microenvironment prognostic score, and upregulation of immunotherapy checkpoints. A total of 262 differentially expressed genes between the subtypes were further identified and the Ps-score was built using LASSO and COX regression analyses. The external GEO data set demonstrated that cohorts with low Ps-scores consistently had higher expression of pyroptosis-related signatures, immunocyte infiltration levels, and better prognosis. In addition, external immunotherapy and chemotherapy cohorts validated that patients with lower Ps-scores exhibited significant therapeutic response and clinical benefit. Combined with other clinical characteristics, we successfully constructed a nomogram to effectively predict the survival rate of patients with TNBC. Finally, using the scRNA-seq data sets, we validated the landscape of cellular subtypes of TNBC and successfully constructed an miRNA-Ps-score gene interaction network. These findings indicated that the systematic assessment of tumor pyroptosis and identification of Ps-scores has potential clinical implications and facilitates tailoring optimal immunotherapeutic strategies for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Yueqing Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yinyan Jiang
- Department of Hematopathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yanzhi Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhenlin Jin
- Department of Hematopathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xupeng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Yueqing Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Yang R, Li Y, Wang H, Qin T, Yin X, Ma X. Therapeutic progress and challenges for triple negative breast cancer: targeted therapy and immunotherapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:8. [PMID: 35243562 PMCID: PMC8894518 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00071-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer, with estrogen receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and progesterone receptor negative. TNBC is characterized by high heterogeneity, high rates of metastasis, poor prognosis, and lack of therapeutic targets. Now the treatment of TNBC is still based on surgery and chemotherapy, which is effective only in initial stage but almost useless in advanced stage. And due to the lack of hormone target, hormonal therapies have little beneficial effects. In recent years, signaling pathways and receptor-specific targets have been reported to be effective in TNBC patients under specific clinical conditions. Now targeted therapies have been approved for many other cancers and even other subtypes of breast cancer, but treatment options for TNBC are still limited. Most of TNBC patients showed no response, which may be related to the heterogeneity of TNBC, therefore more effective treatments and predictive biomarkers are needed. In the present review, we summarize potential treatment opinions for TNBC based on the dysregulated receptors and signaling pathways, which play a significant role in multiple stages of TNBC development. We also focus on the application of immunotherapy in TNBC, and summarize the preclinical and clinical trials of therapy for patients with TNBC. We hope to accelerate the research and development of new drugs for TNBC by understanding the relevant mechanisms, and to improve survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoning Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center for Breast, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yueyi Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Taolin Qin
- West China Hospital, West China Medical School Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yin
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China.
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