Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a cytotoxic insulin-like growth factor-I receptor/HER2 inhibitor in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer

Role of Molecular Targeted Therapeutic Drugs in Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Review Article

Breast cancer is a multifactor, multistage, and heterogeneous disease. Systemic treatment of breast cancer has changed significantly over the last decade. With a better knowledge of the pathogenesis, researchers and scientists have discovered numerous signaling pathways and synonymous therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Because of the molecular nature of breast cancer, which makes it difficult to understand, previous attempts to treat or prevent it have failed. However, recent decades have provided effective therapeutic targets for treatment. In this review, literature or information on various targeted therapy for breast cancer is discussed. English language articles were explored in numerous directory or databases like PubMed, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. The important keywords used for searching databases are "Breast cancer," "Targeted therapy in breast cancer," "Therapeutic drugs in breast cancer," and "Molecular targets in breast cancer."

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits glyoxalase I, and causes the accumulation of methylglyoxal followed by cell-growth inhibition

BACKGROUND

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a known toxic byproduct of glycolysis, with MGO-induced cytotoxicity believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of several diseases. Glyoxalase I (GLO1) is a key enzyme for eliminating MGO in mammalian cells, therefore, compounds affecting GLO1 activity are potential therapeutic agents for MGO-induced disorders. Previously, we found nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) as a potent GLO1 inhibitor.

METHODS

The inhibitory characteristics of NDGA were determined spectrophotometrically with recombinant GLO1. NDGA-induced growth-inhibition and accumulation of MGO-derived advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were examined in EA.hy926 cells.

RESULTS

NDGA showed significant inhibition of GLO1 enzymatic activity in a dose-dependent manner. Its K_i value was estimated to be 146-fold lower than that of myricetin, a known GLO1 inhibitor. The co-addition of MGO with NDGA to the cells resulted in significant growth inhibition, suggesting that MGO accumulation, sufficient to affect cell growth, was caused by NDGA inhibiting GLO1. These findings were supported by the observations that the addition of aminoguanidine, a typical MGO scavenger, significantly reversed cell-growth inhibition by co-addition of MGO with NDGA, and that an increase in intracellular MGO-derived AGEs was observed during incubation with the co-addition of MGO with NDGA.

CONCLUSION

NDGA was found to be a novel and potent inhibitor of GLO1. The co-addition of NDGA with MGO to the cells resulted in increased intracellular MGO accumulation followed by enhanced cell-growth inhibition.

The Polyphenols α-Mangostin and Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Induce Oxidative Stress, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Apoptosis in a Cellular Model of Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a common malignant brain tumor in the pediatric age. The current therapeutics present serious collateral effects. Polyphenols α-mangostin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) exert potent antitumoral activity in different cancer models, although their antitumoral effects have not been described in medulloblastoma cells yet. This study aimed to examine the proapoptotic effects of these polyphenols on human medulloblastoma cells. Medulloblastoma cell line Daoy was incubated with increasing concentrations of α-mangostin or NDGA for 24 h. The cell viability was analyzed using crystal violet and trypan blue dyes. Determination of the glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio and levels of carbonylated proteins was performed to evaluate the oxidative stress. Cell cycle progression and induction of cell death by fluorochrome-couple and TUNEL assays were evaluated using flow cytometry assays. Individual treatments with α-mangostin or NDGA decreased the viability of Daoy cells in a dose-dependent manner, inducing G2/M and S-G2/M cell cycle arrest, respectively. Both polyphenols induced cell death and increased oxidative stress. Very interestingly, α-mangostin showed more potent effects than NDGA. Our results indicate that α-mangostin and NDGA exert important cytostatic and cytotoxic effects in the Daoy cell line. These data highlight the potential usefulness of these compounds as an alternative strategy in medulloblastoma treatment.

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid in Therapeutics: Beneficial to Toxicity Profiles and the Search for its Analogs

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a plant lignan obtained from creosote bush, Larrea tridentata and is known to possess antioxidant, anticancer activities and is used in traditional medicine in North America and Mexico. However, its prolonged consumption leads to liver damage and kidney dysfunction. Despite its toxicity and side effects, there is little awareness to forbid its consumption and its use in the treatment of medical ailments has continued over the years. Several reports discuss its therapeutic efficiency and its medical applications have tremendously been on the rise to date. There has been a recent surge of interest in the chemical synthesis of NDGA derivatives for therapeutic applications. NDGA derivatives have been developed as better alternatives to NDGA. Although several NDGA derivatives have been chemically synthesized as evidenced by recent literature, there is a paucity of information on their therapeutic efficacies. This review is to highlight the medicinal applications of NDGA, its toxicity evaluations and discuss the chemical derivatives of NDGA synthesized and studied so far and suggest to continue research interests in the development of NDGA analogs for therapeutic applications. We suggest that NDGA derivatives should be investigated more in terms of chemical synthesis with preferred conformational structures and exploit their biological potentials with future insights to explore in this direction to design and develop structurally modified NDGA derivatives for potential pharmacological properties.

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid: From Herbal Medicine to Clinical Development for Cancer and Chronic Diseases

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a phenolic lignan obtained from Larrea tridentata, the creosote bush found in Mexico and USA deserts, that has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases such as cancer, renal, cardiovascular, immunological, and neurological disorders, and even aging. NDGA presents two catechol rings that confer a very potent antioxidant activity by scavenging oxygen free radicals and this may explain part of its therapeutic action. Additional effects include inhibition of lipoxygenases (LOXs) and activation of signaling pathways that impinge on the transcription factor Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor (NRF2). On the other hand, the oxidation of the catechols to the corresponding quinones my elicit alterations in proteins and DNA that raise safety concerns. This review describes the current knowledge on NDGA, its targets and side effects, and its synthetic analogs as promising therapeutic agents, highlighting their mechanism of action and clinical projection towards therapy of neurodegenerative, liver, and kidney disease, as well as cancer.

Acquired resistance mechanisms to afatinib in HER2-amplified gastric cancer cells

Cancer treatment, especially that for breast and lung cancer, has entered a new era and continues to evolve, with the development of genome analysis technology and the advent of molecular targeted drugs including tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Nevertheless, acquired drug resistance to molecular targeted drugs is unavoidable, creating a clinically challenging problem. We recently reported the antitumor effect of a pan-HER inhibitor, afatinib, against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-amplified gastric cancer cells. The purpose of the present study was to identify the mechanisms of acquired afatinib resistance and to investigate the treatment strategies for HER2-amplified gastric cancer cells. Two afatinib-resistant gastric cancer cell lines were established from 2 HER2-amplified cell lines, N87 and SNU216. Subsequently, we investigated the molecular profiles of resistant cells. The activation of the HER2 pathway was downregulated in N87-derived resistant cells, whereas it was upregulated in SNU216-derived resistant cells. In the N87-derived cell line, both MET and AXL were activated, and combination treatment with afatinib and cabozantinib, a multikinase inhibitor that inhibits MET and AXL, suppressed the cell growth of cells with acquired resistance both in vitro and in vivo. In the SNU216-derived cell line, YES1, which is a member of the Src family, was remarkably activated, and dasatinib, a Src inhibitor, exerted a strong antitumor effect in these cells. In conclusion, we identified MET and AXL activation in addition to YES1 activation as novel mechanisms of afatinib resistance in HER2-driven gastric cancer. Our results also indicated that treatment strategies targeting individual mechanisms of resistance are key to overcoming such resistance.

Modelling the role of dual specificity phosphatases in herceptin resistant breast cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer remains the most lethal type of cancer for women. A significant proportion of breast cancer cases are characterised by overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2). These cancers are commonly treated by Herceptin (Trastuzumab), but resistance to drug treatment frequently develops in tumour cells. Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are thought to play a role in the mechanism of resistance, since some of them were reported to be overexpressed in tumours resistant to Herceptin.

RESULTS

We used a systems biology approach to investigate how DUSP overexpression could favour cell proliferation and to predict how this mechanism could be reversed by targeted inhibition of selected DUSPs. We measured the expression of 20 DUSP genes in two breast cancer cell lines following long-term (6 months) exposure to Herceptin, after confirming that these cells had become resistant to the drug. We constructed several Boolean models including specific substrates of each DUSP, and showed that our models correctly account for resistance when overexpressed DUSPs were kept activated. We then simulated inhibition of both individual and combinations of DUSPs, and determined conditions under which the resistance could be reversed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show how a combination of experimental analysis and modelling help to understand cell survival mechanisms in breast cancer tumours, and crucially enable us to generate testable predictions potentially leading to new treatments of resistant tumours.

Antitumor Effects of Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (NDGA) in Bladder T24 Cancer Cells are Related to Increase in ROS Production and Mitochondrial Leak Respiration

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on tumor bladder T24 cells. Bladder cancer T24 cells were cultured on Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium in presence of NDGA. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 h by using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and Alexa fluor 488 annexin-V/propidium iodide solution, respectively. To determine the mitochondrial effects of NDGA (0-24 h), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by dihydroethidium fluorescence, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by 5,5’,6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1’,3,3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) dual fluorescence and cellular respiration states by high resolution respirometry were evaluated. It was found that NDGA reduced T24 cell viability after 72 h of incubation in a concentration-dependent manner and apoptosis increased at 48 h. Furthermore, 20 μM NDGA increased ROS levels, decreased ΔΨm and promoted leak of respiration from mitochondrial respiratory chain in T24 cells which was associated to the death of tumor cells. Taken together these results suggested that antitumor effects of NDGA in T24 cells are related to its ability to induce mitochondrial alteration.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid impairs prostate cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis by suppressing neuropilin 1

Tumor metastasis is a major cause leading to the deaths of cancer patients. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a natural product that has been demonstrated to show therapeutic values in multiple diseases. In this study, we report that NDGA can inhibit cell migration and tumor metastasis via a novel mechanism. NDGA suppresses NRP1 function by downregulating its expression, which leads to attenuated cell motility, cell adhesion to ECM and FAK signaling in cancer cells. Moreover, due to its cross-cell type activity on NRP1 suppression, NDGA also impairs angiogenesis function of endothelial cells and fibronectin assembly by fibroblasts, both of which are critical to promote metastasis. Based on these comprehensive effects, NDGA effectively suppresses tumor metastasis in nude mice model. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying the anti-metastasis function of NDGA and indicate the potential value of NDGA in NRP1 targeting therapy for selected subtypes of cancer.

Aiming for the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 system in breast cancer therapeutics

Despite the major discoveries occurred in oncology the recent years, breast malignancies remain one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths for women in developed countries. Development of HER2-targeting drugs has been considered a breakthrough in anti-cancer approaches and alluded to the potential of targeting growth factors in breast cancer (BrCa) therapeutics. More than twenty-five years have passed since the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) system was initially recognized as a potential target candidate in BrCa therapy. To date, a growing body of studies have implicated the IGF-1 signaling with the BrCa biology. Despite the promising experimental evidence, the impression from clinical trials is rather disappointing. Several reasons may account for this and the last word regarding the efficacy of this system as a target candidate in BrCa therapeutics is probably not written yet. Herein, we provide the theoretical basis, as well as, a comprehensive overview of the current literature, regarding the different strategies targeting the various components of the IGF-1/IGF-1R axis in several pathophysiological aspects of BrCa, including the tumor micro-environment and cancer stemness. In addition, we review the rationale for targeting the IGF-1 system in the different BrCa molecular subtypes and in treatment resistant breast tumors with a focus on both the molecular mechanisms and on the clinical perspectives of such approaches in specific population subgroups. We also discuss the future challenges, as well as, the development of novel molecules and strategies targeting the system and suggest potential improvements in the field.

Clinical studies in humans targeting the various components of the IGF system show lack of efficacy in the treatment of cancer

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) system regulates cell growth, differentiation and energy metabolism and plays crucial role in the regulation of key aspects of tumor biology, such as cancer cell growth, survival, transformation and invasion. The current focus for cancer therapeutic approaches have shifted from the conventional treatments towards the targeted therapies and the IGF system has gained a great interest as anti-cancer therapy. The proliferative, anti-apoptotic and transformation effects of IGFs are mainly triggered by the ligation of the type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR). Thus, aiming at developing novel and effective cancer therapies, different strategies have been employed to target IGF system in human malignancies, including but not limited to ligand or receptor neutralizing antibodies and IGF-IR signaling inhibitors. In this review, we have focused on the clinical studies that have been conducted targeting the various components of the IGF system for the treatment of different types of cancer, providing a description and the challenges of each targeting strategy and the degree of success.

Ring substitution influences oxidative cyclisation and reactive metabolite formation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid analogues

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a natural polyphenol with a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. However, its usefulness is hindered by the lack of understanding of its pharmacological and toxicological pathways. Previously we showed that oxidative cyclisation of NDGA at physiological pH forms a dibenzocyclooctadiene that may have therapeutic benefits whilst oxidation to an ortho-quinone likely mediates toxicological properties. NDGA analogues with higher propensity to cyclise under physiologically relevant conditions might have pharmacological implications, which motivated this study. We synthesized a series of NDGA analogues which were designed to investigate the structural features which influence the intramolecular cyclisation process and help to understand the mechanism of NDGA's autoxidative conversion to a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan. We determined the ability of the NDGA analogues investigated to form dibenzocyclooctadienes and evaluated the oxidative stability at pH 7.4 of the analogues and the stability of any dibenzocyclooctadienes formed from the NDGA analogues. We found among our group of analogues the catechols were less stable than phenols, a single catechol-substituted ring is insufficient to form a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, and only compounds possessing a di-catechol could form dibenzocyclooctadienes. This suggests that quinone formation may not be necessary for cyclisation to occur and the intramolecular cyclisation likely involves a radical-mediated rather than an electrophilic substitution process. We also determined that the catechol dibenzocyclooctadienes autoxidised at comparable rates to the parent catechol. This suggests that assigning in vitro biological activity to the NDGA dibenzocyclooctadiene is premature and requires additional study.

Lapatinib sensitivities of two novel trastuzumab-resistant HER2 gene-amplified gastric cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab (Tmab) resistance is a major clinical problem to be resolved in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancers. However, in contrast to the situation for HER2-positive breast cancer lines, the Tmab-resistant gastric cancer preclinical models that are needed to develop a new therapy to overcome this problem are not yet available.

METHODS

We developed three new cell lines from HER2 gene-amplified gastric cancer cell lines (GLM-1, GLM-4, NCI N-87) by a new in vivo selection method consisting of the repeated culture of small residual peritoneal metastasis but not subcutaneous tumor after Tmab treatment. We then evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of lapatinib for these Tmab-resistant cells.

RESULTS

We successfully isolated two Tmab-resistant cell lines (GLM1-HerR2(3), GLM4-HerR2) among the three tested cell lines. These resistant cells differed from the parental cells in their flat morphology and rapid growth in vitro, but HER2, P95HER2 expression, and Tmab binding were essentially the same for the parental and resistant cells. MUC4 expression was up- or downregulated depending on the cell line. These resistant cells were still sensitive to lapatinib, similar to the parental cells, in vitro. This growth inhibition of the Tmab-resistant cells by lapatinib was due to both G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis induction via effective blockade of the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways. A preclinical study confirmed that the Tmab-resistant tumors are significantly susceptible to lapatinib.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that lapatinib has antitumor activity against the Tmab-resistant gastric cancer cell lines, and that these cell lines are useful for understanding the mechanism of Tmab resistance and for developing a new molecular therapy for Tmab-resistant HER2-positive gastric cancers.

Insulin-like growth factors, insulin, and growth hormone signaling in breast cancer: implications for targeted therapy

OBJECTIVE

In recent decades, multiple therapeutics targeting the estrogen and human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER2) receptors have been approved for the treatment of breast cancer.

METHODS

This review discusses a number of growth factor pathways that have been implicated in resistance to both anti-estrogen and HER2-targeted therapies. The association between growth factors and breast cancer is well established. Over decades, numerous laboratories have studied the link between insulin-like growth factor (IGF), insulin, and growth hormone (GH) to the development and progression of breast cancer.

RESULTS

Although preclinical data demonstrates that blockade of these receptors inhibits breast cancer growth, progression, and drug resistance, therapies targeting the IGF, insulin, and GH receptors (GHRs) have not been successful in producing significant increases in progression-free, disease-free, or overall survival for patients with breast cancer. The failure to demonstrate a benefit of growth factor blockade in clinical trials can be attributed to redundancy in IGF, insulin, and GHR signaling pathways. All 3 receptors are able to activate oncogenic phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, multitargeted blockade of growth factor receptors and their common downstream kinases will be necessary for the successful treatment of breast cancer.

P38 MAPK contributes to resistance and invasiveness of HER2- overexpressing breast cancer

Intrinsic or acquired resistance to the HER2-targeted therapy trastuzumab is a clinical concern in the treatment of patients with HER2-over-expressing metastatic breast cancers. We demonstrate here that multiple models of intrinsic and acquired resistance exhibit increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Kinase inhibition of p38 rescued trastuzumab sensitivity in cells with acquired resistance. In addition, knockdown of p38 increased sensitivity to trastuzumab in an intrinsically resistant cell line. We previously reported that expression of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is increased in trastuzumab-resistant HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. In this study, we found that exogenous GDF15 or stable overexpression of GDF15 stimulated p38 phosphorylation in HER2-positive cells, suggesting a possible mechanism by which p38 is activated in resistant cells.GDF15 stable clones showed significantly increased invasiveness, which was rescued by p38 kinase inhibition, suggesting that p38 plays a role in the pro-invasive phenotype conferred by GDF15. Importantly, immunohistochemical analysis of a breast tumor tissue array indicated a significant (p=0.0053) correlation between HER2 and phosphorylated p38 specifically in GDF15-positive tissues. Our results suggest that p38 signaling drives trastuzumab resistance and invasiveness in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Upstream growth factor signals that have previously been implicated in trastuzumab resistance, such as GDF15, may contribute to the increased phosphorylation of p38 found in resistant cells.

Anti-cancer IAP antagonists promote bone metastasis: a cautionary tale

The bone microenvironment is complex, containing bone-forming osteoblasts, bone-resorbing osteoclasts, bone-maintaining osteocytes, hematopoietic lineage cells, as well as blood vessels, nerves, and stromal cells. Release of embedded growth factors from the bone matrix via osteoclast resorption has been shown to participate in the alteration of bone microenvironment to facilitate tumor metastasis to this organ. Many types of malignancies including solid tumors and leukemias are associated with elevated levels of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, and IAP antagonists represent an important emerging class of anti-cancer agents. IAPs exert anti-apoptotic roles by inhibiting caspases and upregulating pro-survival proteins, at least in part by activating classical NF-κB signaling. In addition, IAPs act as negative regulators in the alternative NF-κB pathway, so that IAP antagonists stimulate this pathway. The role of the classical NF-κB pathway in IAP antagonist-induced apoptosis has been extensively studied, whereas much less attention has been paid to the role of these agents in the alternative pathway. Thus far, several IAP antagonists have been tested in preclinical and early stage clinical trials, and have shown promise in sensitizing tumor cells to apoptosis without significant side effects. However, recent preclinical evidence suggests an increased risk of bone metastasis caused by IAP antagonists, along with potential for promoting osteoporosis. In this review, the connection between IAP antagonists, the alternative NF-κB pathway, osteoclasts, and bone metastasis are discussed. In light of these effects of IAP antagonists on the bone microenvironment, more attention should be paid to this and other host tissues as these drugs are developed further.

Targeting insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling in breast cancer

The insulin and insulin like growth factor (IGF) signaling systems are implicated in breast cancer biology. Thus, disrupting IGF/insulin signaling has been shown to have promise in a number of preclinical models. However, human clinical trials have been less promising. Despite evidence of some activity in early phase trials, randomized phase III studies have thus far been unable to show a benefit of blocking IGF signaling in combination with conventional strategies. In breast cancer, combination anti IGF/insulin signaling agents with hormone therapy has not yet proven to have benefit. This inability to translate the preclinical findings into useful clinical strategies calls attention to the need for a deeper understanding of this complex pathway. Development of predictive biomarkers and optimal inhibitory strategies of the IGF/insulin system should yield better clinical strategies. Furthermore, unraveling the interaction between the IGF/insulin pathway and other critical signaling pathways in breast cancer biology, namely estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways, provides additional new concepts in designing combination therapies. In this review, we will briefly summarize the current strategies targeting the IGF/insulin system, discuss the possible reasons of success or failure of the existing therapies, and provide potential future directions for research and clinical trials.

Molecular Mechanisms of Trastuzumab-Based Treatment in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer

The past decade of research into HER2-overexpressing breast cancer has provided significant insight into the mechanisms by which HER2 signaling drives tumor progression, as well as potential mechanisms by which cancer cells escape the anticancer activity of HER2-targeted therapy. Many of these preclinical findings have been translated into clinical development, resulting in novel combinations of HER2-targeted therapies and combinations of trastuzumab plus inhibitors of resistance pathways. In this paper, we will discuss proposed mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance, including epitope masking, cross signaling from other cell surface receptors, hyperactive downstream signaling, and failure to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In addition, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms of action of dual HER2 inhibition, specifically the combination of trastuzumab plus lapatinib or trastuzumab with pertuzumab. We will also discuss data supporting therapeutic combinations of trastuzumab with agents targeted against molecules implicated in trastuzumab resistance. The roles of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor and the estrogen receptor are discussed in the context of resistance to HER2-targeted therapies. Finally, we will examine the major issues that need to be addressed in order to translate these combinations from the bench to the clinic, including the need to establish relevant biomarkers to select for those patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular drug combination.

Selective inhibition of HER2-positive breast cancer cells by the HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir

BACKGROUND

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is highly aggressive and has higher risk of recurrence than HER2-negative cancer. With few treatment options available, new drug targets specific for HER2-positive breast cancer are needed.

METHODS

We conducted a pharmacological profiling of seven genotypically distinct breast cancer cell lines using a subset of inhibitors of breast cancer cells from a screen of the Johns Hopkins Drug Library. To identify molecular targets of nelfinavir, identified in the screen as a selective inhibitor of HER2-positive cells, we conducted a genome-wide screen of a haploinsufficiency yeast mutant collection. We evaluated antitumor activity of nelfinavir with xenografts in athymic nude mouse models (n = 4-6 per group) of human breast cancer and repeated mixed-effects regression analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Pharmacological profiling showed that nelfinavir, an anti-HIV drug, selectively inhibited the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells in vitro. A genome-wide screening of haploinsufficiency yeast mutants revealed that nelfinavir inhibited heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) function. Further characterization using proteolytic footprinting experiments indicated that nelfinavir inhibited HSP90 in breast cancer cells through a novel mechanism. In vivo, nelfinavir selectively inhibited the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells (tumor volume index of HCC1954 cells on day 29, vehicle vs nelfinavir, mean = 14.42 vs 5.16, difference = 9.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.93 to 12.56, P < .001; tumor volume index of BT474 cells on day 26, vehicle vs nelfinavir, mean = 2.21 vs 0.90, difference = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.83 to 1.78, P < .001). Moreover, nelfinavir inhibited the growth of trastuzumab- and/or lapatinib-resistant, HER2-positive breast cancer cells in vitro at clinically achievable concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Nelfinavir was found to be a new class of HSP90 inhibitor and can be brought to HER2-breast cancer treatment trials with the same dosage regimen as that used among HIV patients.

mTORC1 is a target of nordihydroguaiaretic acid to prevent breast tumor growth in vitro and in vivo

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a natural phenolic compound isolated from the creosote bush Larrea divaricata, which has anti-tumor activities both in vitro and in vivo. Its analogs are in clinical development for use in refractory solid tumors. But the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of NDGA are not fully understood. In this study, we identified mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) as a target of NDGA both in cultured breast cancer cells and in xenograft models. NDGA effectively inhibited basal level of mTORC1 but not mTORC2 activity in breast cancer cell lines. NDGA also suppressed mTORC1 downstream signaling such as expression of cyclin D1, hypoxia-inducible factor-α and VEGF, and prevented proliferation in breast cancer cells. Although NDGA stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) signaling, which negatively regulates mTORC1, AMPK and TSC2 deletion could not diminish the inhibition of mTORC1 by NDGA. Subsequent studies revealed that NDGA may also direct target mTORC1 complex because NDGA suppressed amino acids- and insulin-stimulated mTORC1 and acted like rapamycin to disrupt mTOR-Raptor interaction. Most importantly, NDGA repressed breast tumor growth and targeted mTORC1 and its downstream signaling in xenograft models. Together our data provide a novel mechanism for NDGA activity which could help explain its anti-cancer activity. Disruption of mTOR-Raptor complex and activation of AMPK/TSC signaling may contribute to inhibitory effects of NDGA against mTORC1. Our data also raise the possibility that NDGA, as an mTORC1 inhibitor, may have a broad spectrum of action on breast cancers.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor: current therapy and future directions

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare central nervous system tumors that comprise approximately 1-2% of all pediatric brain tumors; however, in patients less than 3 years of age this tumor accounts for up to 20% of cases. ATRT is characterized by loss of the long arm of chromosome 22 which results in loss of the hSNF5/INI-1 gene. INI1, a member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is important in maintenance of the mitotic spindle and cell cycle control. Overall survival in ATRT is poor with median survival around 17 months. Radiation is an effective component of therapy but is avoided in patients younger than 3 years of age due to long term neurocognitive sequelae. Most long term survivors undergo radiation therapy as a part of their upfront or salvage therapy, and there is a suggestion that sequencing the radiation earlier in therapy may improve outcome. There is no standard curative chemotherapeutic regimen, but anecdotal reports advocate the use of intensive therapy with alkylating agents, high-dose methotrexate, or therapy that includes high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. Due to the rarity of this tumor and the lack of randomized controlled trials it has been challenging to define optimal therapy and advance treatment. Recent laboratory investigations have identified aberrant function and/or regulation of cyclin D1, aurora kinase, and insulin-like growth factor pathways in ATRT. There has been significant interest in identifying and testing therapeutic agents that target these pathways.

Pharmacological strategies to overcome HER2 cross-talk and Trastuzumab resistance

Approximately 20-30% of breast cancers show increased expression of the HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a clinically approved anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody. Many patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer respond to trastuzumab; however, a subset display primary drug resistance. In addition, many patients who initially respond to trastuzumab ultimately develop disease progression. Multiple molecular mechanisms contributing to trastuzumab resistance have been proposed in the literature. These mechanisms include cross-signaling from related HER/erbB receptors and compensatory signaling from receptors outside of the HER/erbB family, including receptors for insulin-like growth factor-I, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta. The major downstream signaling pathway activated by HER2 cross-talk is PI3K/mTOR, and a potential integrator of receptor cross-talk is Src-focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling. PI3K, Src, and FAK have independently been implicated in trastuzumab resistance. In this review, we will discuss pharmacological inhibition of HER2 cross-talk as a strategy to treat trastuzumab-refractory HER2-overexpresssing breast cancer.

Deciphering the role of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor in trastuzumab resistance

Resistance to the HER2-targeted antibody trastuzumab is a major clinical concern in the treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Increased expression or signaling of the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) has been reported in a subset of cell lines and clinical samples derived from trastuzumab-resistant breast cancers. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of IGF-IR signaling has been shown to improve response to trastuzumab in trastuzumab-naïve and trastuzumab-resistant models. In this paper, we will discuss the role of IGF-IR signaling in trastuzumab resistance. Further, we will discuss cotargeting IGF-IR and HER2 as a potential therapeutic strategy for HER2-over-expressing breast cancers that have progressed on trastuzumab treatment.

New developments in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer

Approximately 20%-30% of metastatic breast cancers show increased expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) tyrosine kinase. Two HER2-specific therapies are currently approved for clinical treatment of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody against HER2 and is approved for first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Lapatinib is a small molecule dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2 tyrosine kinases, and is approved for trastuzumab-refractory disease. Although trastuzumab is a highly effective therapy for patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer, a significant number of patients in the initial clinical trials of trastuzumab monotherapy showed resistance to trastuzumab-based therapy. Further, among those who did respond, the initial trials indicated that the median time to progression was less than 1 year. Similarly, lapatinib is effective in a subset of trastuzumab-refractory cases, but the majority of patients display resistance. This review discusses the multiple molecular mechanisms of resistance that have been proposed in the literature. In addition, novel agents that are being tested for efficacy against HER2-positive breast cancer, including the antibodies pertuzumab and trastuzumab-DM1 and the immunotoxin affitoxin, are reviewed. The introduction of trastuzumab has revolutionized the clinical care of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and has resulted in dramatic reductions in recurrences of early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The development and implementation of gene- and protein-based assays that measure potential molecular predictors of trastuzumab resistance will allow individualization of HER2-targeted therapeutic approaches, and may ultimately improve treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Signaling pathways activated by the phytochemical nordihydroguaiaretic acid contribute to a Keap1-independent regulation of Nrf2 stability: Role of glycogen synthase kinase-3

Defense against oxidative stress is executed by an antioxidant program that is tightly controlled by the transcription factor Nrf2. The stability of Nrf2 involves the interaction of two degradation domains, designated Neh2 and Neh6, with the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptors, Keap1 and β-TrCP, respectively. The regulation of Nrf2 through the Neh6 degron remains largely unexplored but requires GSK-3 to form a phosphodegron. In this study, the cancer-chemopreventive agent nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) increased the level of Nrf2 protein and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in kidney-derived LLC-PK1 and HEK293T cells and in wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). However, NDGA did not induce HO-1 in Nrf2(-/-) MEFs, indicating that Nrf2 is required for induction. The relevance of the Nrf2/HO-1 axis to antioxidant protection was further demonstrated by the finding that the HO-1 inhibitor stannous-mesoporphyrin abolished protection against hydrogen peroxide conferred by NDGA. NDGA increased Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels in Keap1(-/-) MEFs, implying that Keap1-independent mechanisms regulate Nrf2 stability. Mutants of the Neh2 or Nrh6 domain and chimeric proteins comprising cyan fluorescent protein fused to Neh2 and green fluorescent protein fused to Neh6 exhibited longer half-lives in the presence of NDGA, demonstrating that NDGA targets both the Neh2 and the Neh6 degrons. In common with other chemopreventive agents, NDGA activated the ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and PI3K pathways. By using selective kinase inhibitors we found that PI3K, JNK, and p38 were responsible for the stabilization of Nrf2 and induction of HO-1 by NDGA. To explain how NDGA might up-regulate Nrf2 in a Keap1-independent manner we explored the participation of GSK-3β because it controls the Neh6 phosphodegron. Importantly, NDGA caused inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 and at Thr390, and this was associated with a substantial reduction in Neh6 phosphorylation. Our study demonstrates that NDGA activates Nrf2 through multiple signaling cascades and identifies GSK-3β as an integrator of these signaling pathways and a gatekeeper of Nrf2 stability at the level of the Neh6 phosphodegron.

Targeting Bcl-2 in Herceptin-Resistant Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Acquired resistance to Herceptin is a major clinical problem in the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to resistance will allow identification of novel therapeutic targets and predictors of therapeutic response. To this end, up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins has been associated with resistance to the HER2-targeted drug lapatinib, but has not yet been linked to Herceptin resistance. The aim of the current study was to determine if the Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein is a potential therapeutic target in cells with acquired Herceptin resistance. The BT474 HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line and BT474-derived acquired Herceptin-resistant clones were used as models in this study. Bcl-2 and Bax expression were assessed by Western blotting. Proliferation assays were performed on cells treated with the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 in the absence or presence of Herceptin. Finally, the effect of PI3K inhibition or IKK inhibition on Bcl-2 expression and Herceptin sensitivity was examined by Western blotting and established proliferation assays. We show that cells with acquired resistance to Herceptin have an increased Bcl-2:Bax ratio. Resistant cells have increased sensitivity to ABT-737. Further, pharmacologic inhibition of Bcl-2 improved sensitivity to Herceptin in acquired resistant cells. Finally, PI3K and IKK inhibition down-regulated Bcl-2 expression and increased sensitivity to Herceptin in resistant cells. Taken together, these new observations support further study of Bcl-2-targeted therapies in Herceptin-resistant breast cancers, and importantly, future investigation of Bcl-2 expression as a potential predictor of Herceptin response in patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15)-mediated HER2 phosphorylation reduces trastuzumab sensitivity of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells

Resistance to the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab is a major problem in the treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), which is structurally similar to TGF beta, has been reported to stimulate phosphorylation of HER2. We tested the hypothesis that GDF15-mediated phosphorylation of HER2 reduces the sensitivity of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell lines to trastuzumab. Gene microarray analysis, real-time PCR, and ELISA were used to assess GDF15 expression. Growth inhibition and proliferation assays in response to pharmacologic inhibitors of HER2, TGF beta receptor, or Src were performed on cells stimulated with recombinant human GDF15 or stable GDF15 transfectants. Western blotting was performed to determine effects of GDF15 on HER2 signaling. Cells were infected with lentiviral GDF15 shRNA plasmid to determine effects of GDF15 knockdown on cell survival in response to trastuzumab. Cells with acquired or primary trastuzumab resistance showed increased GDF15 expression. Exposure of trastuzumab-sensitive cells to recombinant human GDF15 or stable transfection of a GDF15 expression plasmid inhibited trastuzumab-mediated growth inhibition. HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibition abrogated GDF15-mediated Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation and blocked GDF15-mediated trastuzumab resistance. Pharmacologic inhibition of TGF beta receptor blocked GDF15-mediated phosphorylation of Src. Further, TGF beta receptor inhibition or Src inhibition blocked GDF15-mediated trastuzumab resistance. Finally, lentiviral GDF15 shRNA increased trastuzumab sensitivity in cells with acquired or primary trastuzumab resistance. These results support GDF15-mediated activation of TGF beta receptor-Src-HER2 signaling crosstalk as a novel mechanism of trastuzumab resistance.

Promising molecular targeted therapies in breast cancer

In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in the understanding of molecular events and critical pathways involved in breast cancer. This has led to the identification of novel targets and development of anticancer therapies referred to as targeted therapy. Targeted therapy has high specificity for the molecules involved in key molecular events that are responsible for cancer phenotype such as cell growth, survival, migration, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, cell-cycle progression, and angiogenesis. Targeted agents that have been approved for breast cancer include trastuzumab and lapatinib, directed against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and bevacizumab, directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Several other targeted agents currently under evaluation in preclinical and clinical trials include inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), dual EGFR and HER2 inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors, and agents that interfere with crucial signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/MEK/ERK; agents against other tyrosine kinases such as Src, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF-receptor (IGFR); agents that promote apoptosis such as Poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors; agents that target invasion and metastasis such as matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors and others. In this review, we highlight the most promising targeted agents and their combination with mainstream chemotherapeutic drugs in clinical trials.

Overcoming trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer by targeting dysregulated glucose metabolism

Trastuzumab shows remarkable efficacy in treatment of ErbB2-positive breast cancers when used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutics. However, acquired resistance develops in most treated patients, necessitating alternate treatment strategies. Increased aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of cancer and inhibition of glycolysis may offer a promising strategy to preferentially kill cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of trastuzumab in combination with glycolysis inhibitors in ErbB2-positive breast cancer. We found that trastuzumab inhibits glycolysis via downregulation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) in ErbB2-positive cancer cells, resulting in tumor growth inhibition. Moreover, increased glycolysis via HSF1 and LDH-A contributes to trastuzumab resistance. Importantly, we found that combining trastuzumab with glycolysis inhibition synergistically inhibited trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant breast cancers in vitro and in vivo, due to more efficient inhibition of glycolysis. Taken together, our findings show how glycolysis inhibition can dramatically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of trastuzumab in ErbB2-positive breast cancers, potentially useful as a strategy to overcome trastuzumab resistance.

The insulin receptor: a new target for cancer therapy

A large body of evidences have shown that both the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and the insulin receptor (IR) play a role in cancer development and progression. In particular, IR overactivation by IGF-II is common in cancer cells, especially in dedifferentiated/stem-like cells. In spite of these findings, until very recently, only IGF-IR but not IR has been considered a target in cancer therapy. Although several preclinical studies have showed a good anti-cancer activity of selective anti-IGF-IR drugs, the results of the clinical first trials have been disappointing. In fact, only a small subset of malignant tumors has shown an objective response to these therapies. Development of resistance to anti-IGF-IR drugs may include upregulation of IR isoform A (IR-A) in cancer cells and its overactivation by increased secretion of autocrine IGF-II. These findings have led to the concept that co-targeting IR together with IGF-IR may increase therapy efficacy and prevent adaptive resistance to selective anti-IGF-IR drugs. IR blockade should be especially considered in tumors with high IR-A:IGF-IR ratio and high levels of autocrine IGF-II. Conversely, insulin sensitizers, which ameliorate insulin resistance associated with metabolic disorders and cancer treatments, may have important implications for cancer prevention and management. Only few drugs co-targeting the IR and IGF-IR are currently available. Ideally, future IR targeting strategies should be able to selectively inhibit the tumor promoting effects of IR without impairing its metabolic effects.

ErbB2 enhances mammary tumorigenesis, oncogene-independent recurrence and metastasis in a model of IGF-IR-mediated mammary tumorigenesis

Background

The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and ErbB2 (Her-2) are receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in human breast cancer. Both proteins are currently the subject of targeted therapeutics that are used in the treatment of breast cancer or which are in clinical trials. The focus of this study was to utilize our inducible model of IGF-IR overexpression to explore the interaction of these two potent oncogenes.

Results

ErbB2 was overexpressed in our RM11A cell line, a murine tumor cell line that overexpresses human IGF-IR in an inducible manner. ErbB2 conferred an accelerated tumor onset and increased tumor incidence after injection of RM11A cells into the mammary glands of syngeneic wild type mice. This was associated with increased proliferation immediately after tumor cell colonization of the mammary gland; however, this effect was lost after tumor establishment. ErbB2 overexpression also impaired the regression of established RM11A tumors following IGF-IR downregulation and enhanced their metastatic potential.

Conclusion

This study has revealed that even in the presence of vast IGF-IR overexpression, a modest increase in ErbB2 can augment tumor establishment in vivo, mediate resistance to IGF-IR downregulation and facilitate metastasis. This supports the growing evidence suggesting a possible advantage of using IGF-IR and ErbB2-directed therapies concurrently in the treatment of breast cancer.

Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives: an update

Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, is known as chaparral or greasewood in the United States and as gobernadora or hediondilla in Mexico. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the main metabolite of the creosote bush, has been shown to have promising applications in the treatment of multiple diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and cancers. Creosote bush is a promising agent of North American herbal medicine, and it has extensive pharmacological effects and specific mechanisms of actions. This review provides an update of recent in vitro and in vivo research about NDGA and describes experimental studies using NDGA as antioxidant. Also, potential medical uses based on the effects of NDGA on the cardiovascular, immune and neurological systems; cancer; tissue engineering; as well as pharmacokinetics and toxicity are discussed.

IGF-IR and its inhibitors in gastrointestinal carcinomas (Review)

The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and its associated signaling system play a significant role in tumorigenesis, tumor survival and progression, and cancer therapeutic resistance, and thus has provoked great interest as a promising target for cancer treatment. In this report we present the role of IGF-IR in gastrointestinal carcinomas whose pathology has been identified as tightly correlated with an abnormal expression and activation of IGF-IR. Reported data from experimental studies suggest the feasibility of targeted IGF-IR therapy in gastrointestinal carcinomas. Many types of inhibitors against IGF-IR have been developed. Inhibitors with anti-IGF-IR monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors currently undergoing preclinical and clinical evolution are also reviewed.

In vitro evaluation of pan-PI3-kinase inhibitor SF1126 in trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant HER2-over-expressing breast cancer cells

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to determine the in vitro cytotoxic effects of the novel pan-PI3-kinase inhibitor SF1126 in HER2-over-expressing breast cancer cells.

Methods

Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were examined by MTS colorimetric assay, FACS analysis, colony formation assay, and immunoblotting. Phosphoinositol-3-kinase signaling was assessed by immunoblotting for phosphorylated Akt. Combination effects of trastuzumab and SF1126 were examined in resistant cells by MTS and soft agar assay.

Results

SF1126 inhibited proliferation, and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis of SKBR3 and BT474 parental and trastuzumab-resistant HER2-over-expressing cells. Colony formation was inhibited by SF1126, caspase 3 and PARP proteins were cleaved, and survivin was down-regulated. Inhibition of PI3-kinase was confirmed by reduced phosphorylation of Akt. Finally, the combination of SF1126 and trastuzumab synergistically inhibited proliferation of resistant cells, with SF1126-treated cells showing reduced anchorage-independent growth.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence that a clinically relevant pan-PI-3 kinase inhibitor can reverse trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer cells, and support further study of PI3-kinase inhibitor SF1126 in HER2-over-expressing breast cancer cells, including those that have progressed on trastuzumab.

Cross-talk between the ErbB/HER family and the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor signaling pathway in breast cancer

Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis and their influence on clinical outcome is providing specific molecular markers for targeted therapy. Activation of tyrosine kinase receptors from the human epidermal growth factor receptor family (EGFR, HER2, HER3, HER4) and the insulin-like growth factor receptor I (IGF-IR) plays a key role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. HER2 overexpression is a validated therapeutic target, as shown by the clinical efficacy of trastuzumab and lapatinib. However, only 25-30% of patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors respond to single-agent trastuzumab or lapatinib, and resistance develops even in responding patients. Therefore, to optimize therapeutic efficacy, it is urgent to elucidate the complex network of signaling pathways that develop in breast cancer cells. Signaling interactions have been reported between ErbB/HER family members and IGF-IR. As increased IGF-IR signaling has been implicated in trastuzumab resistance, agents targeting HER2, and IGF-IR could be potential therapeutic tools in breast cancers that develop resistance to HER2-directed therapy.