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Sukocheva OA, Lukina E, Friedemann M, Menschikowski M, Hagelgans A, Aliev G. The crucial role of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance: Current findings and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 82:35-59. [PMID: 33301860 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) cell de-sensitization to Tamoxifen (TAM) or other selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERM) is a complex process associated with BC heterogeneity and the transformation of ER signalling. The most influential resistance-related mechanisms include modifications in ER expression and gene regulation patterns. During TAM/SERM treatment, epigenetic mechanisms can effectively silence ER expression and facilitate the development of endocrine resistance. ER status is efficiently regulated by specific epigenetic tools including hypermethylation of CpG islands within ER promoters, increased histone deacetylase activity in the ER promoter, and/or translational repression by miRNAs. Over-methylation of the ER α gene (ESR1) promoter by DNA methyltransferases was associated with poor prognosis and indicated the development of resistance. Moreover, BC progression and spreading were marked by transformed chromatin remodelling, post-translational histone modifications, and expression of specific miRNAs and/or long non-coding RNAs. Therefore, targeted inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (e.g. MYST3), deacetylases (e.g. HDAC1), and/or demethylases (e.g. lysine-specific demethylase LSD1) was shown to recover and increase BC sensitivity to anti-estrogens. Indicated as a powerful molecular instrument, the administration of epigenetic drugs can regain ER expression along with the activation of tumour suppressor genes, which can in turn prevent selection of resistant cells and cancer stem cell survival. This review examines recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of endocrine drug resistance and evaluates novel anti-resistance strategies. Underlying molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation will be discussed, emphasising the utilization of epigenetic enzymes and their inhibitors to re-program irresponsive BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia.
| | - Elena Lukina
- Discipline of Biology, College of Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Markus Friedemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Albert Hagelgans
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia; Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia; Federal State Budgetary Institution «Research Institute of Human Morphology», 3, Tsyurupy Str., Moscow, 117418, Russian Federation; GALLY International Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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Androgen Receptor as an Emerging Feasible Biomarker for Breast Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010072. [PMID: 35053220 PMCID: PMC8774219 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction in targeted therapy. The estrogen receptor α (ERα) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are standard biomarkers used in breast cancer for guiding disease treatment. The androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear hormone receptor, contributes to the development and progression of prostate tumors and other cancers. With increasing evidence to support that AR plays an essential role in breast cancer, AR has been considered a useful biomarker in breast cancer, depending on the context of breast cancer sub-types. The existing survival analyses suggest that AR acts as a tumor suppressor in ER + ve breast cancers, serving as a favorable prognostic marker. However, AR functions as a tumor promoter in ER-ve breast cancers, including HER2 + ve and triple-negative (TNBC) breast cancers, serving as a poor prognostic factor. AR has also been shown to be predictive of the potential of response to adjuvant hormonal therapy in ER + ve breast cancers and to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC. However, conflicting results do exist due to intrinsic molecular differences between tumors and the scoring method for AR positivity. Applying AR expression status to guide treatment in different breast cancer sub-types has been suggested. In the future, AR will be a feasible biomarker for breast cancer. Clinical trials using AR antagonists in breast cancer are active. Targeting AR alone or other therapeutic agents provides alternatives to existing therapy for breast cancer. Therefore, AR expression will be necessary if AR-targeted treatment is to be used.
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Bergen ES, Berghoff AS, Steindl A, Rajky O, Mercea PA, Kiesel B, Tendl-Schulz K, Bago-Horvath Z, Exner R, Fitzal F, Dieckmann K, Widhalm G, Steger GG, Preusser M, Bartsch R. Androgen Receptor is Expressed in Breast Cancer Brain Metastases. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2021; 29:728-733. [PMID: 34121071 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen receptor (AR) expression is a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer (BC) as it is frequently expressed in the luminal A and B subtypes and in approximately one third of basal-like cancers. As AR-positive BC displays a distinct biological behavior, we aimed to analyze AR expression in the particular context of BC brain metastases (BM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed BC BM treated with neurosurgical resection were identified from the Vienna Brain Metastasis Registry and clinical data including patient characteristics, biological tumor subtypes and overall survival were obtained by retrospective chart review. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimen containing BM tissue were retrieved from the Neuro-Biobank. Immunohistochemical staining of AR was performed and AR expression in the tumor-cell nucleus was evaluated. RESULTS Fifty-seven BM samples from 57 individual patients with BC were available for this analysis. AR expression of ≥1% tumor cells was evident in 20/57 (35.1%) BM specimens; the median AR-expression rate was 10% (range: 1% to 60%). AR expression was observed in 11/21 (52.4%) BM of the luminal/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative subtype, 3/13 (23.1%) of the luminal/HER2-positive subtype, 2/7 (28.6%) of the HER2-positive subtype and 4/16 (25.0%) of the triple-negative subtype (P=0.247). Median survival from diagnosis of BM was 10 months (range: 0 to 104 mo) in the entire cohort. No significant association of overall survival and AR expression ≥1% was observed (15 vs. 13 mo; P>0.05). CONCLUSION AR is expressed in more than one third of BC BM with the highest rates among the luminal/HER2-negative BC subtype and may therefore be a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker in this particular BC population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karin Dieckmann
- Radiooncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Seachrist DD, Anstine LJ, Keri RA. FOXA1: A Pioneer of Nuclear Receptor Action in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205205. [PMID: 34680352 PMCID: PMC8533709 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The pioneering function of FOXA1 establishes estrogen-responsive transcriptomes in luminal breast cancer. Dysregulated FOXA1 chromatin occupancy through focal amplification, mutation, or cofactor recruitment modulates estrogen receptor (ER) transcriptional programs and drives endocrine-resistant disease. However, ER is not the sole nuclear receptor (NR) expressed in breast cancers, nor is it the only NR for which FOXA1 serves as a licensing factor. Receptors for androgens, glucocorticoids, and progesterone are also found in the majority of breast cancers, and their functions are also impacted by FOXA1. These NRs interface with ER transcriptional programs and, depending on their activation level, can reprogram FOXA1-ER cistromes. Thus, NR interplay contributes to endocrine therapy response and resistance and may provide a vulnerability for future therapeutic benefit in patients. Herein, we review what is known regarding FOXA1 regulation of NR function in breast cancer in the context of cell identity, endocrine resistance, and NR crosstalk in breast cancer progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcie D. Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Lindsey J. Anstine
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ruth A. Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence:
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Bianchi VE, Bresciani E, Meanti R, Rizzi L, Omeljaniuk RJ, Torsello A. The role of androgens in women's health and wellbeing. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105758. [PMID: 34242799 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Androgens in women, as well as in men, are intrinsic to maintenance of (i) reproductive competency, (ii) cardiac health, (iii) appropriate bone remodeling and mass retention, (iii) muscle tone and mass, and (iv) brain function, in part, through their mitigation of neurodegenerative disease effects. In recognition of the pluripotency of endogenous androgens, exogenous androgens, and selected congeners, have been prescribed off-label for several decades to treat low libido and sexual dysfunction in menopausal women, as well as, to improve physical performance. However, long-term safety and efficacy of androgen administration has yet to be fully elucidated. Side effects often observed include (i) hirsutism, (ii) acne, (iii) deepening of the voice, and (iv) weight gain but are associated most frequently with supra-physiological doses. By contrast, short-term clinical trials suggest that the use of low-dose testosterone therapy in women appears to be effective, safe and economical. There are, however, few clinical studies, which have focused on effects of androgen therapy on pre- and post-menopausal women; moreover, androgen mechanisms of action have not yet been thoroughly explained in these subjects. This review considers clinical effects of androgens on women's health in order to prevent chronic diseases and reduce cancer risk in gynecological tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio E Bianchi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Center Stella Maris, Strada Rovereta 42, Falciano 47891, San Marino.
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Robert J Omeljaniuk
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1, Canada.
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza 20900, Italy.
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Erdogan OS, Tuncer SB, Kilic S, Odemis DA, Turkcan GK, Celik B, Avsar M, Yazici H. Genome-wide methylation profiles in monozygotic twins with discordance for ovarian carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:357. [PMID: 33133257 PMCID: PMC7590432 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a disease that is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, and has poor survival. Monozygotic (MZ) twins are considered to be good research models for investigating the epigenetic changes associated with diseases. In the present study, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in ovarian cancer etiology were evaluated using the MZ twin model. Whole-genome methylation patterns were investigated in a BRCA1 gene mutation-carrying family comprising MZ twins, only one of whom had ovarian cancer, and other healthy siblings. Whole-genome methylation patterns were assessed in peripheral blood DNA using Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChips on an Illumina iScan device. The hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes were detected between cases and controls in four different comparison groups in order to evaluate the differences in methylation levels according to cancer diagnosis and BRCA mutation status. The obtained results showed that the differential methylations in 12 different genes, namely PR/SET domain 6, cytochrome B5 reductase 4, ZNF714, OR52M1, SEMA4D, CHD1L, CAPZB, clustered mitochondria homolog, RB-binding protein 7, chromatin repair factor, ankyrin repeat domain 23, RIB43A domain with coiled-coils 1 and C6orf227, were associated with ovarian cancer. Biological functional analysis of the genes detected in the study using the PANTHER classification system revealed that they have roles in biological processes including ‘biologic adhesion’, ‘regulation’, ‘cellular components organization’, ‘biogenesis’, ‘immune system functioning’, ‘metabolic functioning’ and ‘localization’. Overall, the present study suggested that epigenetic differences, such as methylation status, could be used as a non-invasive biological markers for the early diagnosis and follow-up of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Sukruoglu Erdogan
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Seref Bugra Tuncer
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Seda Kilic
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Demet Akdeniz Odemis
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Gozde Kuru Turkcan
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Betul Celik
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Mukaddes Avsar
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Hulya Yazici
- Department of Basic Oncology, Cancer Genetics Division, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
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7
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Tagliaferri B, Quaquarini E, Palumbo R, Balletti E, Presti D, Malovini A, Agozzino M, Teragni CM, Terzoni A, Bernardo A, Villani L, Sottotetti F. Role of androgen receptor expression in early stage ER+/PgR-/HER2- breast cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920958355. [PMID: 32994808 PMCID: PMC7502860 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920958355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progesterone receptor (PgR) negative breast cancer (BC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis and reduced response to endocrine treatments. Several studies have suggested that androgen receptor (AR) expression is associated with a favorable tumor biology, longer recurrence free survival (RFS), and overall survival. In the literature no data exist regarding the role of AR expression in early stage estrogen receptor (ER)+/PgR- BCs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of AR expression in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a monocentric retrospective study in which 208 patients who underwent surgical intervention for ER+/PgR-/Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)- BC were included. The primary objective was to analyze the relationship between AR expression and RFS. RESULTS At a median follow-up of 77 months, 75 patients (36%) had a disease relapse (all sites included). AR expression was significantly higher in patients who did not relapse compared with those who relapsed with an impact on RFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99, p = 0.025). Patients with AR expression ⩾80% had a lower risk of relapse compared with those with AR <80% (HR = 0.53, p = 0.008). In addition, breast tumors with higher AR expression had good biological features (low ki67 and nuclear grade) compared with BCs with lower AR expression, at least partly explaining the different outcome. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support the potential prognostic role of AR in patients with ER+/PgR- BCs and may contribute to the identification of subgroups of high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica Quaquarini
- Medical Oncology Unit, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, via Maugeri 10, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniele Presti
- Medical Oncology Unit, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alberto Malovini
- Laboratory of Informatics and System Engineering for Clinical Research, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, Pavia, Italy
| | - Manuela Agozzino
- Operative Unit of Anatomic Pathology, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Terzoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Laura Villani
- Operative Unit of Anatomic Pathology, ICS Maugeri-IRCCS SpA SB, Pavia, Italy
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Computational analysis of androgen receptor (AR) variants to decipher the relationship between protein stability and related-diseases. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12101. [PMID: 32694570 PMCID: PMC7374729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although more than 1,000 androgen receptor (AR) mutations have been identified and these mutants are pathologically important, few theoretical studies have investigated the role of AR protein folding stability in disease and its relationship with the phenotype of the patients. Here, we extracted AR variant data from four databases: ARDB, HGMD, Cosmic, and 1,000 genome. 905 androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)-associated loss-of-function mutants and 168 prostate cancer-associated gain-of-function mutants in AR were found. We analyzed the effect of single-residue variation on the folding stability of AR by FoldX and guanidine hydrochloride denaturation experiment, and found that genetic disease-associated mutations tend to have a significantly greater effect on protein stability than gene polymorphisms. Moreover, AR mutants in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) tend to have a greater effect on protein stability than in partial androgen insensitive syndrome (PAIS). This study, by linking disease phenotypes to changes in AR stability, demonstrates the importance of protein stability in the pathogenesis of hereditary disease.
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9
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Venema CM, Bense RD, Steenbruggen TG, Nienhuis HH, Qiu SQ, van Kruchten M, Brown M, Tamimi RM, Hospers GAP, Schröder CP, Fehrmann RSN, de Vries EGE. Consideration of breast cancer subtype in targeting the androgen receptor. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 200:135-147. [PMID: 31077689 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a drug target in breast cancer, and AR-targeted therapies have induced tumor responses in breast cancer patients. In this review, we summarized the role of AR in breast cancer based on preclinical and clinical data. Response to AR-targeted therapies in unselected breast cancer populations is relatively low. Preclinical and clinical data show that AR antagonists might have a role in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative/AR-positive tumors. The prognostic value of AR for patients remains uncertain due to the use of various antibodies and cut-off values for immunohistochemical assessment. To get more insight into the role of AR in breast cancer, we additionally performed a retrospective pooled analysis to determine the prognostic value of the AR using mRNA profiles of 7270 primary breast tumors. Our analysis shows that a higher AR mRNA level is associated with improved disease outcome in patients with ER-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors, but with worse disease outcome in HER2-positive subgroups. In conclusion, next to AR expression, incorporation of additional tumor characteristics will potentially make AR targeting a more valuable therapeutic strategy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clasina M Venema
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rico D Bense
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa G Steenbruggen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde H Nienhuis
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Si-Qi Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Michel van Kruchten
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Myles Brown
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Rulla M Tamimi
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geke A P Hospers
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina P Schröder
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf S N Fehrmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Quadruple Negative Breast Cancers (QNBC) Demonstrate Subtype Consistency among Primary and Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer. Transl Oncol 2018; 12:493-501. [PMID: 30594038 PMCID: PMC6307536 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the availability of current standards of care treatments for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), many patients still die from this disease. Quadruple negative tumors, which are TNBC tumors that lack androgen receptor (AR), represent a more aggressive subtype of TNBC; however, the molecular features are not well understood. METHODS Immunohistochemistry of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and AR was determined in 244 primary and 630 recurrent/metastatic site biopsies. Expression was correlated with a panel of 25 cancer-related genes and proteins by IHC and in situ hybridization (ISH). RESULTS We observed that 80.2% (65 of 81) of primary TNBC tumors and 75.7% (159 of 210) of recurrent/metastatic TNBC tumors are QNBC. Bivariate fit analysis demonstrated that QNBC (n = 224) significantly (P < .03) correlated with younger aged patients at initial biopsy compared to AR positive TNBC patients (n = 51). In paired primary tissue samples and primary to recurrent/metastatic samples, at least 70% Luminal, HER2 enriched, and QNBC subtype did not change molecular profile. But, TNBC seems to be the "unstable" subtype. Within the total cohort, discordance in molecular profiles was identified in both synchronous (20%) and asynchronous (21%) intra-individual analyses. Irrespective of sample type, (Synchronous or Asynchronous), QNBC demonstrated higher concordant than TNBC. IHC and ISH results of the cancer related genes, demonstrated that gene/protein expression differ by molecular profile: TNBC (HR-/HER2-, AR+) and QNBC (HR-/HER2-, AR-). IHC in metastatic tumors, showed that the percentage of tumors positive of EGFR were higher, while PTEN and TLE3 were lower in QNBC compared to TNBC. CONCLUSION Standard treatment of Breast Cancer (BC) relies on reliable assessment by IHC analysis of ER, PR, and HER2. Our analyses suggest that the heterogeneity of TNBC is at least partially associated with the presence or absence of AR expression, suggesting that QNBC should be considered as a clinically relevant BC subtype. IHC analysis of AR appears to be a practical assay to determine the most aggressive TNBC subtypes and identifies tumors that could benefit from available targeted therapies.
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Obeidat FN, Ahram M, Al-Khader A, Mbaideen SA, Hassan H, Altarawneh B, Battah K. Expression of androgen receptor in invasive ductal breast carcinomas: a clinicopathological study from Jordan. Ann Saudi Med 2018; 38:326-335. [PMID: 30284987 PMCID: PMC6180220 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2018.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical relevance of androgen receptors (ARs) expressed in breast cancer cells and the suggested prognostic impact has been an area of active research. The prevalence rate of AR expression in breast cancer has never been reported among Jordanian patients. OBJECTIVE Determine the expression rate of ARs among invasive ductal breast cancer cases of different stages and molecular subtypes. Also, analyze the relationship between AR expression and clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical criteria, and assess the impact of AR expression on survival. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review. SETTING Tertiary care hospital in Amman, Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our study comprised only of cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma of no special type among females from records during a 10-year period between 2006 and 2015. Immunohistochemical staining was considered positive if more than 10% of tumor nuclei showed positive staining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The expression rate of ARs and the association of the expression rate with the clinicopathologic features of invasive breast cancer. SAMPLE SIZE 293. RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining for AR revealed positive stain.ing in 180 (61.4%) cases, including approximately 50% of triple-negative breast cancer cases. AR positivity correlated with estrogen receptor (ER) status (P=.007) and smaller T size (P=.014). However, no significant association was found with any of the other variables. AR expression was positively associated with overall survival (P=.022) in general and in ER-positive cases (P=.012). However, in the multivariate Cox regression model, AR was not independently associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS These results were consistent with international reports showing a significant relationship of AR expression with ER status. In addition, AR expression was significantly associated with smaller tumor size. Although AR status was not independently associated with survival, our data suggest AR is a good prognostic factor. LIMITATIONS Some clinical data were missing. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Nouri Obeidat
- Dr. Fatima Nouri Obeidat, Department of Pathology and Microbiology and Forensic Medicine,, School of Medicine,, University of Jordan,, Amman 11942, Jordan, T: +962-797737300, , ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8836-919X
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12
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Hunter I, Hay CW, Esswein B, Watt K, McEwan IJ. Tissue control of androgen action: The ups and downs of androgen receptor expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 465:27-35. [PMID: 28789969 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The hormone testosterone plays crucial roles during male development and puberty and throughout life, as an anabolic regulator of muscle and bone structure and function. The actions of testosterone are mediated, primarily, through the androgen receptor, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The androgen receptor gene is located on the X-chromosome and receptor levels are tightly controlled both at the level of transcription of the gene and post-translationally at the protein level. Sp1 has emerged as the major driver of expression of the androgen receptor gene, while auto-regulation by androgens is associated with both positive and negative regulation in a possible cell-selective manner. Research into the networks of positive and negative regulators of the androgen receptor gene are vital in order to understand the temporal and spatial control of receptor levels and the consequences for healthy aging and disease. A clear understanding of the multiple transcription factors participating in regulation of the androgen receptor gene will likely aid in the development and application of hormone therapies to boast or curb receptor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Hunter
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Colin W Hay
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Bianca Esswein
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK; Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat, Jena, Germany
| | - Kate Watt
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Iain J McEwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK.
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13
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Rizzolo P, Silvestri V, Valentini V, Zelli V, Zanna I, Masala G, Bianchi S, Palli D, Ottini L. Gene-specific methylation profiles in BRCA-mutation positive and BRCA-mutation negative male breast cancers. Oncotarget 2018; 9:19783-19792. [PMID: 29731982 PMCID: PMC5929425 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease. Due to its rarity, MBC research and clinical approach are mostly based upon data derived from female breast cancer (FBC). Increasing evidence indicate that on molecular level MBC may be an heterogeneous disease different from FBC. In order to investigate whether epigenetic signatures could define molecular subgroups of MBCs, we performed promoter methylation analysis of genes involved in signal transduction and hormone signalling in BRCA1/2 mutation-positive and -negative MBCs. We examined 69 MBCs, paired blood samples, and 15 normal tissues for promoter methylation of hTERT, ESR1, RASSF1, AR, MYC and WNT1 genes. MBCs showed higher gene promoter methylation levels compared to paired blood and normal breast samples. Significantly higher RASSF1 methylation levels were observed in association with BRCA1/2 mutations, HER2 expression and high tumor grade. Significantly higher AR methylation levels were observed in BRCA1/2 wild-type cases and higher WNT1 methylation levels in PR negative cases. Overall, our results indicate that alterations in gene methylation profiles are common in MBC and that methylation pattern of tumor-associated genes may allow for the identification of MBC molecular subgroups, that could have implications in clinical management of MBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piera Rizzolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Virginia Valentini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Zelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ines Zanna
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Research and Prevention Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Research and Prevention Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Simonetta Bianchi
- Division of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Care, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Palli
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Research and Prevention Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Ottini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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14
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Ricciardelli C, Bianco-Miotto T, Jindal S, Butler LM, Leung S, McNeil CM, O'Toole SA, Ebrahimie E, Millar EKA, Sakko AJ, Ruiz AI, Vowler SL, Huntsman DG, Birrell SN, Sutherland RL, Palmieri C, Hickey TE, Tilley WD. The Magnitude of Androgen Receptor Positivity in Breast Cancer Is Critical for Reliable Prediction of Disease Outcome. Clin Cancer Res 2018. [PMID: 29514843 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Consensus is lacking regarding the androgen receptor (AR) as a prognostic marker in breast cancer. The objectives of this study were to comprehensively review the literature on AR prognostication and determine optimal criteria for AR as an independent predictor of breast cancer survival.Experimental Design: AR positivity was assessed by immunostaining in two clinically validated primary breast cancer cohorts [training cohort, n = 219; validation cohort, n = 418; 77% and 79% estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positive, respectively]. The optimal AR cut-point was determined by ROC analysis in the training cohort and applied to both cohorts.Results: AR was an independent prognostic marker of breast cancer outcome in 22 of 46 (48%) previous studies that performed multivariate analyses. Most studies used cut-points of 1% or 10% nuclear positivity. Herein, neither 1% nor 10% cut-points were robustly prognostic. ROC analysis revealed that a higher AR cut-point (78% positivity) provided optimal sensitivity and specificity to predict breast cancer survival in the training (HR, 0.41; P = 0.015) and validation (HR, 0.50; P = 0.014) cohorts. Tenfold cross-validation confirmed the robustness of this AR cut-point. Patients with ERα-positive tumors and AR positivity ≥78% had the best survival in both cohorts (P < 0.0001). Among the combined ERα-positive cases, those with comparable or higher levels of AR (AR:ERα-positivity ratio >0.87) had the best outcomes (P < 0.0001).Conclusions: This study defines an optimal AR cut-point to reliably predict breast cancer survival. Testing this cut-point in prospective cohorts is warranted for implementation of AR as a prognostic factor in the clinical management of breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2328-41. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Ricciardelli
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tina Bianco-Miotto
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Shalini Jindal
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lisa M Butler
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Samuel Leung
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catriona M McNeil
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandra A O'Toole
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ewan K A Millar
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Sakko
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alexandra I Ruiz
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah L Vowler
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephen N Birrell
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert L Sutherland
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carlo Palmieri
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Academic Department of Medical Oncology, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, United Kingdom
| | - Theresa E Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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15
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Zhao RL, He YM. Network pharmacology analysis of the anti-cancer pharmacological mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum extract with experimental support using Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:287-295. [PMID: 28882624 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is an oriental medical fungus, which was used to prevent and treat many diseases. Previously, the effective compounds of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) were extracted from two kinds of GL, [Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. Ex Fr.) Karst.] and [Ganoderma sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang], which have been used for adjuvant anti-cancer clinical therapy for more than 20 years. However, its concrete active compounds and its regulation mechanisms on tumor are unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we aimed to identify the main active compounds from GLE and to investigate its anti-cancer mechanisms via drug-target biological network construction and prediction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The main active compounds of GLE were identified by HPLC, EI-MS and NMR, and the compounds related targets were predicted using docking program. To investigate the functions of GL holistically, the active compounds of GL and related targets were predicted based on four public databases. Subsequently, the Identified-Compound-Target network and Predicted-Compound-Target network were constructed respectively, and they were overlapped to detect the hub potential targets in both networks. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR and western-blot assays were used to validate the expression levels of target genes in GLE treated Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mice. RESULTS In our work, 12 active compounds of GLE were identified, including Ganoderic acid A, Ganoderenic acid A, Ganoderic acid B, Ganoderic acid H, Ganoderic acid C2, Ganoderenic acid D, Ganoderic acid D, Ganoderenic acid G, Ganoderic acid Y, Kaemferol, Genistein and Ergosterol. Using the docking program, 20 targets were mapped to 12 compounds of GLE. Furthermore, 122 effective active compounds of GL and 116 targets were holistically predicted using public databases. Compare with the Identified-Compound-Target network and Predicted-Compound-Target network, 6 hub targets were screened, including AR, CHRM2, ESR1, NR3C1, NR3C2 and PGR, which was considered as potential markers and might play important roles in the process of GLE treatment. GLE effectively inhibited tumor growth in Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mice. Finally, consistent with the results of qRT-PCR data, the results of western-blot assay demonstrated the expression levels of PGR and ESR1 were up-regulated, as well as the expression levels of NR3C2 and AR were down-regulated, while the change of NR3C1 and CHRM2 had no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that these 4 hub target genes, including NR3C2, AR, ESR1 and PGR, might act as potential markers to evaluate the curative effect of GLE treatment in tumor. And, the combined data provide preliminary study of the pharmacological mechanisms of GLE, which may be a promising potential therapeutic and chemopreventative candidate for anti-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Lin Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yu-Min He
- School of Basic Medicine College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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16
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Zhang W, Liu X, Liu S, Qin Y, Tian X, Niu F, Liu H, Liu N, Niu Y. Androgen receptor/let-7a signaling regulates breast tumor-initiating cells. Oncotarget 2017; 9:3690-3703. [PMID: 29423076 PMCID: PMC5790493 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is an important transcriptional factor, which is frequently expressed in invasive breast cancer and correlates patients’ prognosis. Our previous results indicate AR activation may increase let-7a expression in breast cancer cells, while let-7, a tumor suppressor, is reported to inhibit breast tumor-initiating cells (T-IC). The study aims to explore the effects of AR/let-7a signaling on breast T-IC and its regulatory mechanism. The results revealed that the expression of AR was significantly associated with let-7a and CD44+/24-/low especially in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer tissues. The expression of AR and let-7a indicated better outcome, while patients with CD44+/24-/low phenotype had worse prognosis. AR activation induced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) prevented cells proliferation, migration, invasion and self-renewal capacities in ER+ breast cancer cells, via transcriptional up-regulation of let-7a. In addition, AR could inhibit tumorigenesis and metastasis of ER+ breast cancer cells in the serial xenotranplanted animal models. Our data suggested that AR/let-7a signaling could inhibit the biological behavior of tumor-initiating cells (T-IC) in ER+AR+ breast cancers, which might become a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Laboratory of Epigenetics and Tumorigenesis, Tianjin Research Center of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaozhen Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Qin
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Tian
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengting Niu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Pathology, Baodi Clinical Institute of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yun Niu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research, National Clinical Cancer Research Center, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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17
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Targeting Androgen Receptor in Treating HER2 Positive Breast Cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14584. [PMID: 29109513 PMCID: PMC5674043 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14607-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is widely expressed in different subtypes of breast cancer (BC). However, it is unclear how AR functions in HER2 positive (+) BC. Knockdown of AR with shRNAs and a new generation anti-androgen drug, Enzalutamide, were used to explore the involvement of AR on the growth of HER2 + BC cells (HCC1954 and SKBR3). AR shRNA or Enzalutamide inhibited the growth of SKBR3 cells at a similar extend compared to trastuzumab, an approved HER2 targeted drug. Combining Enzalutamide with trastuzumab further decreased the growth of HCC1954 and SKBR3 cells compared with single agent alone in vitro. Biochemical analysis revealed that inhibiting AR resulted in decreased HER2 phosphorylation and activation of Erk and Akt, without affecting the HER2 and HER3 expression. The in vivo efficacy of Enzalutamide was further tested using the HCC1954 xenograft model. Enzalutamide impaired the growth of HCC1954 tumor at a level comparable to that by trastuzumab. Enzalutamide decreased Ki67 staining and increased activated caspase3 staining compared with vehicle control in HCC1954 tumors. Our results indicate AR plays an important role in promoting the growth of HER2 + BC by cross-talking with the HER2 signaling. AR drug may be used as an alternative second line therapy for treating HER2 + BC.
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18
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Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the implications of androgen receptor (AR) expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive subset of invasive breast carcinoma patients. Patients and Methods: We assessed the AR expression in a subset of 96 predominantly ER-positive invasive breast carcinomas and correlated this expression pattern with several clinical and pathologic parameters: histologic type and grade, tumor size, lymph node status, progesterone receptor (PgR) status, and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) overexpression and evaluated the association of these parameters with 10-year survival using univariate and multivariate analyses. Data used for analysis were derived from medical records. Immunohistochemical analysis for AR, ER, PgR, and HER2 were carried out and semiquantitative evaluation of stainings was performed. Results: AR expression was demonstrated in 43.7% of patients. AR was significantly related to well-differentiated tumors and positive PgR/HER2 status. No statistical difference was demonstrated in AR expression in relation to tumor size, lymph node status, menopausal status, and tumor histologic type. AR expression was not an independent prognostic factor related to 10-year survival in ER-positive cancers. In multivariate analyses, older age at diagnosis, larger tumor size, and positive lymph node status were significantly associated with poorer 10-year survival. Conclusions: AR expression is significantly associated with ER/PgR/HER2 status and positively related to well-differentiated tumors. Although AR status in ER-positive cancers is not an independent prognostic factor, it might provide important additional information on prognosis and become a promising object for targeted therapy.
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19
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Roubaud G, Liaw BC, Oh WK, Mulholland DJ. Strategies to avoid treatment-induced lineage crisis in advanced prostate cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2017; 14:269-283. [PMID: 27874061 PMCID: PMC5567685 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The increasing potency of therapies that target the androgen receptor (AR) signalling axis has correlated with a rise in the proportion of patients with prostate cancer harbouring an adaptive phenotype, termed treatment-induced lineage crisis. This phenotype is characterized by features that include soft-tissue metastasis and/or resistance to standard anticancer therapies. Potent anticancer treatments might force cancer cells to evolve and develop alternative cell lineages that are resistant to primary therapies, a mechanism similar to the generation of multidrug- resistant microorganisms after continued antibiotic use. Herein, we assess the hypothesis that treatment-adapted phenotypes harbour reduced AR expression and/or activity, and acquire compensatory strategies for cell survival. We highlight the striking similarities between castration-resistant prostate cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, another poorly differentiated endocrine malignancy. Alternative treatment paradigms are needed to avoid therapy-induced resistance. Herein, we present a new clinical trial strategy designed to evaluate the potential of rapid drug cycling as an approach to delay the onset of resistance and treatment-induced lineage crisis in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem Roubaud
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, 229 Cours de l'Argonne, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Bobby C Liaw
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - William K Oh
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - David J Mulholland
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, USA
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20
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Liao Y, Sassi S, Halvorsen S, Feng Y, Shen J, Gao Y, Cote G, Choy E, Harmon D, Mankin H, Hornicek F, Duan Z. Androgen receptor is a potential novel prognostic marker and oncogenic target in osteosarcoma with dependence on CDK11. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43941. [PMID: 28262798 PMCID: PMC5338289 DOI: 10.1038/srep43941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children and adolescents. Previously, we have found that cyclin-dependent kinase 11 (CDK11) signaling was essential for osteosarcoma cell growth and survival. Subsequently, CDK11 siRNA gene targeting, expression profiling, and network reconstruction of differentially expressed genes were performed between CDK11 knock down and wild type osteosarcoma cells. Reconstructed network of the differentially expressed genes pointed to the AR as key to CDK11 signaling in osteosarcoma. CDK11 increased transcriptional activation of AR gene in osteosarcoma cell lines. AR protein was highly expressed in various osteosarcoma cell lines and patient tumor tissues. Tissue microarray analysis showed that the disease-free survival rate for patients with high-expression of AR was significantly shorter than for patients with low-expression of AR. In addition, AR gene expression knockdown via siRNA greatly inhibited cell growth and viability. Similar results were found in osteosarcoma cells treated with AR inhibitor. These findings suggest that CDK11 is involved in the regulation of AR pathway and AR can be a potential novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Liao
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jie Fang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Slim Sassi
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02139USA
| | - Stefan Halvorsen
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02139USA
| | - Yong Feng
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jie Fang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jacson Shen
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
| | - Yan Gao
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
| | - Gregory Cote
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Edwin Choy
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - David Harmon
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Henry Mankin
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
| | - Francis Hornicek
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, Massachusetts 02114USA
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21
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Pakula H, Xiang D, Li Z. A Tale of Two Signals: AR and WNT in Development and Tumorigenesis of Prostate and Mammary Gland. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:E14. [PMID: 28134791 PMCID: PMC5332937 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers and among the leading causes of cancer deaths for men in industrialized countries. It has long been recognized that the prostate is an androgen-dependent organ and PCa is an androgen-dependent disease. Androgen action is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for metastatic PCa. However, almost all advanced PCa cases progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after a period of ADT. A variety of mechanisms of progression from androgen-dependent PCa to CRPC under ADT have been postulated, but it remains largely unclear as to when and how castration resistance arises within prostate tumors. In addition, AR signaling may be modulated by extracellular factors among which are the cysteine-rich glycoproteins WNTs. The WNTs are capable of signaling through several pathways, the best-characterized being the canonical WNT/β-catenin/TCF-mediated canonical pathway. Recent studies from sequencing PCa genomes revealed that CRPC cells frequently harbor mutations in major components of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, the finding of an interaction between β-catenin and AR suggests a possible mechanism of cross talk between WNT and androgen/AR signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of both AR and WNT pathways in prostate development and tumorigenesis, and their interaction during development of CRPC. We also review the possible therapeutic application of drugs that target both AR and WNT/β-catenin pathways. Finally, we extend our review of AR and WNT signaling to the mammary gland system and breast cancer. We highlight that the role of AR signaling and its interaction with WNT signaling in these two hormone-related cancer types are highly context-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Pakula
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Room 466, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Room 466, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Room 466, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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22
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Lee E, Moon A. Identification of Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Using Databases. J Cancer Prev 2016; 21:235-242. [PMID: 28053957 PMCID: PMC5207607 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2016.21.4.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the major causes of cancer death in women. Many studies have sought to identify specific molecules involved in breast cancer and understand their characteristics. Many biomarkers which are easily measurable, dependable, and inexpensive, with a high sensitivity and specificity have been identified. The rapidly increasing technology development and availability of epigenetic informations play critical roles in cancer. The accumulated data have been collected, stored, and analyzed in various types of databases. It is important to acknowledge useful and available data and retrieve them from databases. Nowadays, many researches utilize the databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER), and Embase, to find useful informations on biomarkers for breast cancer. This review summarizes the current databases which have been utilized for identification of biomarkers for breast cancer. The information provided by this review would be beneficial to seeking appropriate strategies for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhye Lee
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Aree Moon
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
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23
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Feng J, Li L, Zhang N, Liu J, Zhang L, Gao H, Wang G, Li Y, Zhang Y, Li X, Liu D, Lu J, Huang B. Androgen and AR contribute to breast cancer development and metastasis: an insight of mechanisms. Oncogene 2016; 36:2775-2790. [PMID: 27893717 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The role of androgen and androgen receptor (AR) in breast carcinogenesis has long been a disputed issue. This report provides a mechanistic insight into how androgen and AR contributes to invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. We find that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is able to induce the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells in an AR-dependent/estrogen receptor-independent manner. This process is dependent on the demethylation activity of lysine-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1) by epigenetically regulating the target genes E-cadherin and vimentin. In vivo, DHT promotes metastasis in a nude mouse model, and AR and LSD1 are indispensable in this process. We establish that higher expression of nucleus AR to cytoplasm AR associated with worse prognostic outcomes in breast cancer patient samples. This study maps an 'androgen-AR/LSD1-target genes' pathway in breast carcinogenesis, implicating the importance of hormonal balance in women, and the potential clinical significance of serum androgen and AR in prediction of breast cancer and selection of breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - L Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - N Zhang
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - J Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - L Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - H Gao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - G Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Y Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Y Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - X Li
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - D Liu
- School of Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J Lu
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - B Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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24
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Bozovic-Spasojevic I, Zardavas D, Brohée S, Ameye L, Fumagalli D, Ades F, de Azambuja E, Bareche Y, Piccart M, Paesmans M, Sotiriou C. The Prognostic Role of Androgen Receptor in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Clinical and Gene Expression Data. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2702-2712. [PMID: 28151718 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Androgen receptor (AR) expression has been observed in about 70% of patients with breast cancer, but its prognostic role remains uncertain.Experimental Design: To assess the prognostic role of AR expression in early-stage breast cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the impact of AR at the protein and gene expression level on disease-free survival (DFS) and/or overall survival (OS). Eligible studies were identified by systematic review of electronic databases using the MeSH-terms "breast neoplasm" and "androgen receptor" and were selected after a qualitative assessment based on the REMARK criteria. A pooled gene expression analysis of 35 publicly available microarray data sets was also performed from patients with early-stage breast cancer with available gene expression and clinical outcome data.Results: Twenty-two of 33 eligible studies for the clinical meta-analysis, including 10,004 patients, were considered as evaluable for the current study after the qualitative assessment. AR positivity defined by IHC was associated with improved DFS in all patients with breast cancer [multivariate (M) analysis, HR 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.58, P < 0.001] and better OS [M-HR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.73, P < 0.001]. Thirty-five datasets including 7,220 patients were eligible for the pooled gene expression analysis. High AR mRNA levels were found to confer positive prognosis overall in terms of DFS (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.72-0.92;P = 0.0007) and OS (HR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94; P = 0.02) only in univariate analysis.Conclusions: Our analysis, conducted among more than 17,000 women with early-stage breast cancer included in clinical and gene expression analysis, demonstrates that AR positivity is associated with favorable clinical outcome. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2702-12. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bozovic-Spasojevic
- Breast Data Centre, Medical Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium.,Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, National Cancer Research Centre, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | | | - Sylvain Brohée
- Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium
| | - Lieveke Ameye
- Data Centre, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Felipe Ades
- Breast Data Centre, Medical Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium.,Hospital Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Evandro de Azambuja
- Breast Data Centre, Medical Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium
| | - Yacine Bareche
- Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium
| | - Martine Piccart
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marianne Paesmans
- Data Centre, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christos Sotiriou
- Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brusells, Belgium.
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25
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Judes G, Dagdemir A, Karsli-Ceppioglu S, Lebert A, Dauplat MM, Rifaï K, Daures M, Dubois L, Bignon YJ, Penault-Llorca F, Bernard-Gallon D. Molecular and Epigenetic Biomarkers in Luminal Androgen Receptor: A Triple Negative Breast Cancer Subtype. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2016; 20:610-613. [DOI: 10.1089/omi.2016.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Judes
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Aslihan Dagdemir
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Seher Karsli-Ceppioglu
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - André Lebert
- University Blaise Pascal, Pascal Institute UMR 6602 CNRS/UBP, Aubière, France
| | - Marie-Mélanie Dauplat
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Laboratory of Biopathology, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Khaldoun Rifaï
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marine Daures
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Lucas Dubois
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Yves-Jean Bignon
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Frédérique Penault-Llorca
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Laboratory of Biopathology, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Dominique Bernard-Gallon
- Department of Oncogenetics, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- EA 4677 “ERTICA,” University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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26
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Hornig NC, de Beaufort C, Denzer F, Cools M, Wabitsch M, Ukat M, Kulle AE, Schweikert HU, Werner R, Hiort O, Audi L, Siebert R, Ammerpohl O, Holterhus PM. A Recurrent Germline Mutation in the 5'UTR of the Androgen Receptor Causes Complete Androgen Insensitivity by Activating Aberrant uORF Translation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154158. [PMID: 27110943 PMCID: PMC4844194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of patients with monogenic disorders lacks disease causing mutations in the protein coding region of the corresponding gene. Here we describe a recurrent germline mutation found in two unrelated patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) generating an upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the 5’ untranslated region (5’-UTR) of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. We show in patient derived primary genital skin fibroblasts as well as in cell-based reporter assays that this mutation severely impacts AR function by reducing AR protein levels without affecting AR mRNA levels. Importantly, the newly generated uORF translates into a polypeptide and the expression level of this polypeptide inversely correlates with protein translation from the primary ORF of the AR thereby providing a model for AR-5′UTR mediated translational repression. Our findings not only add a hitherto unrecognized genetic cause to complete androgen insensitivity but also underline the importance of 5′UTR mutations affecting uORFs for the pathogenesis of monogenic disorders in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine C. Hornig
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail: (PMH); (NH)
| | | | - Friederike Denzer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martine Cools
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Ukat
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexandra E. Kulle
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Werner
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Olaf Hiort
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Laura Audi
- Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) & Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ole Ammerpohl
- Institute of Human Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Paul-Martin Holterhus
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail: (PMH); (NH)
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27
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Guerini-Rocco E, Piscuoglio S, Ng CKY, Geyer FC, De Filippo MR, Eberle CA, Akram M, Fusco N, Ichihara S, Sakr RA, Yatabe Y, Vincent-Salomon A, Rakha EA, Ellis IO, Wen YH, Weigelt B, Schnitt SJ, Reis-Filho JS. Microglandular adenosis associated with triple-negative breast cancer is a neoplastic lesion of triple-negative phenotype harbouring TP53 somatic mutations. J Pathol 2016; 238:677-88. [PMID: 26806567 PMCID: PMC4962789 DOI: 10.1002/path.4691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Microglandular adenosis (MGA) is a rare proliferative lesion of the breast composed of small glands lacking myoepithelial cells and lined by S100-positive, oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative, and HER2-negative epithelial cells. There is evidence to suggest that MGA may constitute a non-obligate precursor of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We sought to define the genomic landscape of pure MGA and of MGA, atypical MGA (AMGA) and associated TNBCs, and to determine whether synchronous MGA, AMGA, and TNBCs would be clonally related. Two pure MGAs and eight cases of MGA and/or AMGA associated with in situ or invasive TNBC were collected, microdissected, and subjected to massively parallel sequencing targeting all coding regions of 236 genes recurrently mutated in breast cancer or related to DNA repair. Pure MGAs lacked clonal non-synonymous somatic mutations and displayed limited copy number alterations (CNAs); conversely, all MGAs (n = 7) and AMGAs (n = 3) associated with TNBC harboured at least one somatic non-synonymous mutation (range 3-14 and 1-10, respectively). In all cases where TNBCs were analyzed, identical TP53 mutations and similar patterns of gene CNAs were found in the MGA and/or AMGA and in the associated TNBC. In the MGA/AMGA associated with TNBC lacking TP53 mutations, somatic mutations affecting PI3K pathway-related genes (eg PTEN, PIK3CA, and INPP4B) and tyrosine kinase receptor signalling-related genes (eg ERBB3 and FGFR2) were identified. At diagnosis, MGAs associated with TNBC were found to display subclonal populations, and clonal shifts in the progression from MGA to AMGA and/or to TNBC were observed. Our results demonstrate the heterogeneity of MGAs, and that MGAs associated with TNBC, but not necessarily pure MGAs, are genetically advanced, clonal, and neoplastic lesions harbouring recurrent mutations in TP53 and/or other cancer genes, supporting the notion that a subset of MGAs and AMGAs may constitute non-obligate precursors of TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Guerini-Rocco
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte K Y Ng
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Felipe C Geyer
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria R De Filippo
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carey A Eberle
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Muzaffar Akram
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Pathology - Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Shu Ichihara
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Rita A Sakr
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yasushi Yatabe
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Emad A Rakha
- Department of Pathology, Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian O Ellis
- Department of Pathology, Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Y Hannah Wen
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Britta Weigelt
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuart J Schnitt
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge S Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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28
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Kandil S, Westwell AD, McGuigan C. 7-Substituted umbelliferone derivatives as androgen receptor antagonists for the potential treatment of prostate and breast cancer. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:2000-4. [PMID: 26965862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.02.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinically used androgen receptor (AR) antagonists (bicalutamide, flutamide and nilutamide) bind with low affinity to AR and can induce escape mechanisms. Furthermore, under AR gene amplification or mutation conditions they demonstrate agonist activity and fail to inhibit AR, causing relapse into castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Discovery of new scaffolds distinct from the 4-cyano/nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group common to currently used antiandrogens is urgently needed to avoid cross-resistance with these compounds. In this study, a series of twenty-nine 7-substituted umbelliferone derivatives was prepared and their antiproliferative activities were evaluated. The most active compound 7a demonstrated submicromolar inhibitory activity in the human prostate cancer cell line (22Rv1); IC50=0.93 μM which represents a 50 fold improvement over the clinical antiandrogen bicalutamide (IC50=46 μM) and a more than 30 fold improvement over enzalutamide (IC50=32 μM). Interestingly, this compound showed even better activity against the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7); IC50=0.47 μM. Molecular modelling studies provided a plausible theoretical explanation for our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Kandil
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, Wales, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew D Westwell
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher McGuigan
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, Wales, United Kingdom
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29
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McNamara KM, Sasano H. Beyond the C18 frontier: Androgen and glucocorticoid metabolism in breast cancer tissues: The role of non-typical steroid hormones in breast cancer development and progression. Steroids 2015; 103:115-22. [PMID: 26057662 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer's hormonal dependence is well known and has been so for a long time. However in the last two decades great advances have been made in understanding the local metabolism of steroids within tissue. In the form of aromatase inhibition this is already one of the mainstays of breast cancer therapy. This review aims to summarise briefly what is known in terms of the metabolism of C18 steroids but perhaps more importantly to touch on the new developments regarding the importance of the metabolism of androgens and glucocorticoids in breast tissue. It is our hope that this review should provide the reader with a "birds eye view" of the current state of knowledge regarding localised steroid metabolism in the breast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keely May McNamara
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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30
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Kim Y, Jae E, Yoon M. Influence of Androgen Receptor Expression on the Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. J Breast Cancer 2015; 18:134-42. [PMID: 26155289 PMCID: PMC4490262 DOI: 10.4048/jbc.2015.18.2.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the fact that the androgen receptor (AR) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, its prognostic effect remains controversial. In this meta-analysis, we explored AR expression and its impact on survival outcomes in breast cancer. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Ovid databases and references of articles to identify studies reporting data until December 2013. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by extracting the number of patients with recurrence and survival according to AR expression. RESULTS There were 16 articles that met the criteria for inclusion in our meta-analysis. DFS and OS were significantly longer in patients with AR expression compared with patients without AR expression (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.90; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.73, respectively). In addition, hormone receptor (HR) positive patients had a longer DFS when AR was also expressed (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98). For patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), AR expression was also associated with longer DFS and OS (OR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.26-0.75; OR, 0.26, 95% CI, 0.12-0.55, respectively). Furthermore, AR expression was associated with a longer DFS and OS in women (OR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.27-0.64; OR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.38-0.59, respectively). However, in men, AR expression was associated with a worse DFS (OR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.46-24.73). CONCLUSION Expression of AR in breast cancer might be associated with better survival outcomes, especially in patients with HR-positive tumors and TNBC, and women. Based on this meta-analysis, we propose that AR expression might be related to prognostic features and contribute to clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonseok Kim
- Department of Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Eunae Jae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mirae Woman's Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Myunghee Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea
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31
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Proverbs-Singh T, Feldman JL, Morris MJ, Autio KA, Traina TA. Targeting the androgen receptor in prostate and breast cancer: several new agents in development. Endocr Relat Cancer 2015; 22:R87-R106. [PMID: 25722318 PMCID: PMC4714354 DOI: 10.1530/erc-14-0543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) and breast cancer (BCa) share similarities as hormone-sensitive cancers with a wide heterogeneity of both phenotype and biology. The androgen receptor (AR) is a hormone receptor involved in both benign and malignant processes. Targeting androgen synthesis and the AR pathway has been and remains central to PCa therapy. Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the AR in BCa development and growth, with results indicating AR co-expression with estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors, across all intrinsic subtypes of BCa. Targeting the AR axis is an evolving field with novel therapies in development which may ultimately be applicable to both tumor types. In this review, we offer an overview of available agents which target the AR axis in both PCa and BCa and provide insights into the novel drugs in development for targeting this signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Proverbs-Singh
- Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Jarett L Feldman
- Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Michael J Morris
- Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Karen A Autio
- Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Tiffany A Traina
- Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA Breast Medicine ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, New York 10065, USAGenitourinary Oncology ServiceDepartment of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USAWeill Cornell Medical College1300 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Barton VN, D'Amato NC, Gordon MA, Lind HT, Spoelstra NS, Babbs BL, Heinz RE, Elias A, Jedlicka P, Jacobsen BM, Richer JK. Multiple molecular subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer critically rely on androgen receptor and respond to enzalutamide in vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:769-78. [PMID: 25713333 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the lowest 5-year survival rate of invasive breast carcinomas, and currently there are no approved targeted therapies for this aggressive form of the disease. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in up to one third of TNBC and we find that all AR(+) TNBC primary tumors tested display nuclear localization of AR, indicative of transcriptionally active receptors. While AR is most abundant in the "luminal AR (LAR)" molecular subtype of TNBC, here, for the first time, we use both the new-generation anti-androgen enzalutamide and AR knockdown to demonstrate that the other non-LAR molecular subtypes of TNBC are critically dependent on AR protein. Indeed, AR inhibition significantly reduces baseline proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasion and increases apoptosis in four TNBC lines (SUM159PT, HCC1806, BT549, and MDA-MB-231), representing three non-LAR TNBC molecular subtypes (mesenchymal-like, mesenchymal stem-like, and basal-like 2). In vivo, enzalutamide significantly decreases viability of SUM159PT and HCC1806 xenografts. Furthermore, mechanistic analysis reveals that AR activation upregulates secretion of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin (AREG), an effect abrogated by enzalutamide in vitro and in vivo. Exogenous AREG partially rescues the effects of AR knockdown on proliferation, migration, and invasion, demonstrating that upregulation of AREG is one mechanism by which AR influences tumorigenicity. Together, our findings indicate that non-LAR subtypes of TNBC are AR dependent and, moreover, that enzalutamide is a promising targeted therapy for multiple molecular subtypes of AR(+) TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie N Barton
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nicholas C D'Amato
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michael A Gordon
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hanne T Lind
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Beatrice L Babbs
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Richard E Heinz
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Anthony Elias
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Britta M Jacobsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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Androgen receptor, EGFR, and BRCA1 as biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:357485. [PMID: 25695063 PMCID: PMC4324735 DOI: 10.1155/2015/357485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE More and more evidences demonstrate that androgen receptor (AR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) have unique clinical implications for targeted therapy or prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the possible associations. METHODS We retrieved published articles about AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 in TNBC from PubMed and EMBASE. The analysis was performed with Rev-Man 5.2 software. RESULTS A total of 38 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. Our study showed that the expression level of EGFR (OR = 6.88, P < 0.00001) and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation (RR = 5.26, P < 0.00001) were higher in TNBC than non-TNBC. In contrast, the expression level of AR was lower in TNBC than non-TNBC (OR = 0.07, P < 0.00001). In the subgroup related to EGFR expression, the level of EGFR expression was significantly increased in Asians (OR = 9.60) compared with Caucasians (OR = 5.53) for TNBC patients. Additionally, the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation in Asians (RR = 5.43, P < 0.00001) was higher than that in Caucasians (RR = 5.16, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS The distinct expression of AR and EGFR and the prevalence of BRCA1 mutation indicated that AR, EGFR, and BRCA1 might be unique biomarkers for targeted therapy and prognosis in TNBC.
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Dietary lignan intake and androgen receptor expression in breast tumors. Cancer Causes Control 2014; 26:311-317. [PMID: 25471060 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-014-0504-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lignans, a class of phytoestrogen commonly found in the Western diet, have been linked to decreased breast cancer risks in epidemiologic studies. Similar to estrogen receptors, the androgen receptor (AR), a prognostic factor in breast tumors, may be affected by lignans. However, few studies have investigated this link in the context of breast cancer etiology. We evaluated the relationship between dietary lignan intake and AR expression in incident breast tumors. METHODS Tumor tissue, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected from 216 women with incident, primary, histologically confirmed breast cancer enrolled in the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) Data Bank and BioRepository (DBBR). On average, three tumor cores from each participant were assembled into a tissue micro array. After immunohistochemical staining, a trained RPCI pathologist determined AR status of each core. Lignan intake was calculated from a food frequency questionnaire collected upon enrollment into the DBBR. RESULTS We observed a weak positive association between dietary lignans and AR expression [β (SE) 27.6 (17.0), p 0.10], and there was no significant difference in lignan intake across categories of AR expression (p = 0.09, R (2) = 0.35). CONCLUSION Our results do not support a clear relationship between dietary lignan intake and AR expression. This investigation is the first, to our knowledge, to examine dietary lignan intake and AR expression in breast tumors. Further research is needed within a larger, more representative sample to determine whether lignan intake is truly associated with AR expression.
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McNamara KM, Moore NL, Hickey TE, Sasano H, Tilley WD. Complexities of androgen receptor signalling in breast cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:T161-81. [PMID: 24951107 DOI: 10.1530/erc-14-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
While the clinical benefit of androgen-based therapeutics in breast cancer has been known since the 1940s, we have only recently begun to fully understand the mechanisms of androgen action in breast cancer. Androgen signalling pathways can have either beneficial or deleterious effects in breast cancer depending on the breast cancer subtype and intracellular context. This review discusses our current knowledge of androgen signalling in breast cancer, including the relationship between serum androgens and breast cancer risk, the prognostic significance of androgen receptor (AR) expression in different breast cancer subtypes and the downstream molecular pathways mediating androgen action in breast cancer cells. Intracrine androgen metabolism has also been discussed and proposed as a potential mechanism that may explain some of the reported differences regarding dichotomous androgen actions in breast cancers. A better understanding of AR signalling in this disease is critical given the current resurgence in interest in utilising contemporary AR-directed therapies for breast cancer and the need for biomarkers that will accurately predict clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keely M McNamara
- Department of PathologyTohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Sendai, JapanDame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research LaboratoriesDiscipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide and Hanson Institute, DX 650801, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Nicole L Moore
- Department of PathologyTohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Sendai, JapanDame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research LaboratoriesDiscipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide and Hanson Institute, DX 650801, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Theresa E Hickey
- Department of PathologyTohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Sendai, JapanDame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research LaboratoriesDiscipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide and Hanson Institute, DX 650801, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of PathologyTohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Sendai, JapanDame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research LaboratoriesDiscipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide and Hanson Institute, DX 650801, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Department of PathologyTohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, Sendai, JapanDame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research LaboratoriesDiscipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide and Hanson Institute, DX 650801, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
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Narayanan R, Ahn S, Cheney MD, Yepuru M, Miller DD, Steiner MS, Dalton JT. Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) negatively regulate triple-negative breast cancer growth and epithelial:mesenchymal stem cell signaling. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103202. [PMID: 25072326 PMCID: PMC4114483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The androgen receptor (AR) is the most highly expressed steroid receptor in breast cancer with 75-95% of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and 40-70% of ER-negative breast cancers expressing AR. Though historically breast cancers were treated with steroidal androgens, their use fell from favor because of their virilizing side effects and the emergence of tamoxifen. Nonsteroidal, tissue selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) may provide a novel targeted approach to exploit the therapeutic benefits of androgen therapy in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Since MDA-MB-453 triple-negative breast cancer cells express mutated AR, PTEN, and p53, MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells stably expressing wildtype AR (MDA-MB-231-AR) were used to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative effects of SARMs. Microarray analysis and epithelial:mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) co-culture signaling studies were performed to understand the mechanisms of action. RESULTS Dihydrotestosterone and SARMs, but not bicalutamide, inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231-AR. The SARMs reduced the MDA-MB-231-AR tumor growth and tumor weight by greater than 90%, compared to vehicle-treated tumors. SARM treatment inhibited the intratumoral expression of genes and pathways that promote breast cancer development through its actions on the AR. SARM treatment also inhibited the metastasis-promoting paracrine factors, IL6 and MMP13, and subsequent migration and invasion of epithelial:MSC co-cultures. CONCLUSION 1. AR stimulation inhibits paracrine factors that are important for MSC interactions and breast cancer invasion and metastasis. 2. SARMs may provide promise as novel targeted therapies to treat AR-positive triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Narayanan
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sunjoo Ahn
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Misty D. Cheney
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Muralimohan Yepuru
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Duane D. Miller
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mitchell S. Steiner
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - James T. Dalton
- Preclinical Research and Development, GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
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Gao C, Bourke E, Scobie M, Famme MA, Koolmeister T, Helleday T, Eriksson LA, Lowndes NF, Brown JAL. Rational design and validation of a Tip60 histone acetyltransferase inhibitor. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5372. [PMID: 24947938 PMCID: PMC4064327 DOI: 10.1038/srep05372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is required for many aspects of gene regulation, genome maintenance and metabolism and dysfunctional acetylation is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer. Acetylation is regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases and currently, few general HAT inhibitors have been described. We identified the HAT Tip60 as an excellent candidate for targeted drug development, as Tip60 is a key mediator of the DNA damage response and transcriptional co-activator. Our modeling of Tip60 indicated that the active binding pocket possesses opposite charges at each end, with the positive charges attributed to two specific side chains. We used structure based drug design to develop a novel Tip60 inhibitor, TH1834, to fit this specific pocket. We demonstrate that TH1834 significantly inhibits Tip60 activity in vitro and treating cells with TH1834 results in apoptosis and increased unrepaired DNA damage (following ionizing radiation treatment) in breast cancer but not control cell lines. Furthermore, TH1834 did not affect the activity of related HAT MOF, as indicated by H4K16Ac, demonstrating specificity. The modeling and validation of the small molecule inhibitor TH1834 represents a first step towards developing additional specific, targeted inhibitors of Tip60 that may lead to further improvements in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxia Gao
- 1] School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland [2] Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden [3]
| | - Emer Bourke
- 1] Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, Clinical Science Institute, Costello Road, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland [2]
| | - Martin Scobie
- 1] Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden [2]
| | - Melina Arcos Famme
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Koolmeister
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leif A Eriksson
- 1] School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland [2] Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden [3]
| | - Noel F Lowndes
- Genome Stability Laboratory, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - James A L Brown
- 1] Genome Stability Laboratory, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland [2] [3]
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Pillai MM, Gillen AE, Yamamoto TM, Kline E, Brown J, Flory K, Hesselberth JR, Kabos P. HITS-CLIP reveals key regulators of nuclear receptor signaling in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2014; 146:85-97. [PMID: 24906430 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-014-3004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
miRNAs regulate the expression of genes in both normal physiology and disease. While miRNAs have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in aspects of cancer biology, these reports have generally focused on the regulation of single genes. Such single-gene approaches have significant limitations, relying on miRNA expression levels and heuristic predictions of mRNA-binding sites. This results in only circumstantial evidence of miRNA-target interaction and typically leads to large numbers of false positive predictions. Here, we used a genome-wide approach (high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation, HITS-CLIP) to define direct miRNA-mRNA interactions in three breast cancer subtypes (estrogen receptor positive, Her2 amplified, and triple negative). Focusing on steroid receptor signaling, we identified two novel regulators of the ER pathway (miR-9-5p and miR-193a/b-3p), which together target multiple genes involved in ER signaling. Moreover, this approach enabled the definition of miR-9-5p as a global regulator of steroid receptor signaling in breast cancer. We show that miRNA targets and networks defined by HITS-CLIP under physiologic conditions are predictive of patient outcomes and provide global insight into miRNA regulation in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj M Pillai
- Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
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Rizza P, Barone I, Zito D, Giordano F, Lanzino M, De Amicis F, Mauro L, Sisci D, Catalano S, Dahlman Wright K, Gustafsson JA, Andò S. Estrogen receptor beta as a novel target of androgen receptor action in breast cancer cell lines. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R21. [PMID: 24552459 PMCID: PMC3978907 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The two isoforms of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta play opposite roles in regulating proliferation and differentiation of breast cancers, with ER-alpha mediating mitogenic effects and ER-beta acting as a tumor suppressor. Emerging data have reported that androgen receptor (AR) activation inhibits ER-positive breast cancer progression mainly by antagonizing ER-alpha signaling. However, to date no studies have specifically evaluated a potential involvement of ER-beta in the inhibitory effects of androgens. METHODS ER-beta expression was examined in human breast cancer cell lines using real-time PCR, Western blotting and small interfering RNA (siRNA) assays. Mutagenesis studies, electromobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis were performed to assess the effects of mibolerone/AR on ER-beta promoter activity and binding. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrate that mibolerone, a synthetic androgen ligand, up-regulates ER-beta mRNA and protein levels in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Transient transfection experiments, using a vector containing the human ER-beta promoter region, show that mibolerone increases basal ER-beta promoter activity. Site-directed mutagenesis and deletion analysis reveal that an androgen response element (ARE), TGTTCT motif located at positions -383 and -377, is critical for mibolerone-induced ER-beta up-regulation in breast cancer cells. This occurs through an increased recruitment of AR to the ARE site within the ER-beta promoter region, along with an enhanced occupancy of RNA polymerase II. Finally, silencing of ER-beta gene expression by RNA interference is able to partially reverse the effects of mibolerone on cell proliferation, p21 and cyclin D1 expression. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data provide evidence for a novel mechanism by which activated AR, through an up-regulation of ER-beta gene expression, inhibits breast cancer cell growth.
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Gasparini P, Fassan M, Cascione L, Guler G, Balci S, Irkkan C, Paisie C, Lovat F, Morrison C, Zhang J, Scarpa A, Croce CM, Shapiro CL, Huebner K. Androgen receptor status is a prognostic marker in non-basal triple negative breast cancers and determines novel therapeutic options. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88525. [PMID: 24505496 PMCID: PMC3914993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancers are a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by poor patient survival and lack of targeted therapeutics. Androgen receptor has been associated with triple negative breast cancer pathogenesis, but its role in the different subtypes has not been clearly defined. We examined androgen receptor protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis in 678 breast cancers, including 396 triple negative cancers. Fifty matched lymph node metastases were also examined. Association of expression status with clinical (race, survival) and pathological (basal, non-basal subtype, stage, grade) features was also evaluated. In 160 triple negative breast cancers, mRNA microarray expression profiling was performed, and differences according to androgen receptor status were analyzed. In triple negative cancers the percentage of androgen receptor positive cases was lower (24.8% vs 81.6% of non-triple negative cases), especially in African American women (16.7% vs 25.5% of cancers of white women). No significant difference in androgen receptor expression was observed in primary tumors vs matched metastatic lesions. Positive androgen receptor immunoreactivity was inversely correlated with tumor grade (p<0.01) and associated with better overall patient survival (p = 0.032) in the non-basal triple negative cancer group. In the microarray study, expression of three genes (HER4, TNFSF10, CDK6) showed significant deregulation in association with androgen receptor status; eg CDK6, a novel therapeutic target in triple negative cancers, showed significantly higher expression level in androgen receptor negative cases (p<0.01). These findings confirm the prognostic impact of androgen receptor expression in non-basal triple negative breast cancers, and suggest targeting of new androgen receptor-related molecular pathways in patients with these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Gasparini
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- ARC-NET Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Gulnur Guler
- Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University, Ankara Turkey
| | - Serdar Balci
- Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University, Ankara Turkey
| | - Cigdem Irkkan
- Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University, Ankara Turkey
| | - Carolyn Paisie
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Francesca Lovat
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Carl Morrison
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona Italy
| | - Carlo M. Croce
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Charles L. Shapiro
- Division of Medical Oncology and the Breast Program, James Cancer Hospital and Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kay Huebner
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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The impact of androgen receptor expression on breast cancer survival: a retrospective study and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82650. [PMID: 24324816 PMCID: PMC3853592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the role of androgen receptor (AR) as a prognostic biomarker of breast cancer. However, its predictive role in disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) still remains inconclusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively investigate the association between AR and survival outcomes in breast cancer and also identify this association by a meta-analysis of published researches. Clinical data from 109 patients with breast cancer, who underwent surgery at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, were retrospectively analyzed for immunohistochemical AR expression measured by tissue microarray. For meta-analysis, articles available in Pubmed on the relationship between AR and breast cancer outcomes were included. Data obtained from both were combined and analyzed. Women with AR positive tumors in the retrospective study had a significantly better DFS (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.88) and OS (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.85) than women with AR negative ones. Meta-analysis showed that AR expression in breast tumors was an indicator of better DFS (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.43-0.64). In subgroup analysis, AR could predict DFS outcome in estrogen receptor (ER) positive (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.59), ER negative (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.67), and triple negative breast cancer (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23-0.69). Moreover, in ER positive breast cancer patients, the expression of AR could predict better OS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.82). The present analysis indicated that AR expression was associated with lower risk of recurrence in patients with all breast cancer types and better OS in cases with ER positive.
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Shibahara Y, Miki Y, Sakurada C, Uchida K, Hata S, McNamara K, Yoda T, Takagi K, Nakamura Y, Suzuki T, Ishida T, Ohuchi N, Sasano H. Androgen and androgen-metabolizing enzymes in metastasized lymph nodes of breast cancer. Hum Pathol 2013; 44:2338-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Chang C, Lee SO, Yeh S, Chang TM. Androgen receptor (AR) differential roles in hormone-related tumors including prostate, bladder, kidney, lung, breast and liver. Oncogene 2013; 33:3225-34. [PMID: 23873027 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in many cell types and the androgen/AR signaling has been found to have important roles in modulating tumorigenesis and metastasis in several cancers including prostate, bladder, kidney, lung, breast and liver. However, whether AR has differential roles in the individual cells within these tumors that contain a variety of cell types remains unclear. Generation of AR knockout (ARKO) mouse models with deletion of AR in selective cells within tumors indeed have uncovered many unique AR roles in the individual cell types during cancer development and progression. This review will discuss the results obtained from various ARKO mice and different human cell lines with special attention to the cell type- and tissue-specific ARKO models. The understanding of various results showing the AR indeed has distinct and contrasting roles in each cell type within many hormone-related tumors (as stimulator in bladder, kidney and lung metastases vs as suppressor in prostate and liver metastases) may eventually help us to develop better therapeutic approaches by targeting the AR or its downstream signaling in individual cell types to better battle these hormone-related tumors in different stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Chang
- 1] George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA [2] Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - S O Lee
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - S Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - T M Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Ren Q, Zhang L, Ruoff R, Ha S, Wang J, Jain S, Reuter V, Gerald W, Giri DD, Melamed J, Garabedian MJ, Lee P, Logan SK. Expression of androgen receptor and its phosphorylated forms in breast cancer progression. Cancer 2013; 119:2532-40. [PMID: 23605249 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Revised: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen receptor (AR) expression in breast cancers may serve as a prognostic and predictive marker. We examined the expression pattern of AR and its phosphorylated forms, Ser-213 (AR-Ser[P]-213) and Ser-650 (AR-Ser[P]-650), in breast cancer and evaluated their association with clinicopathological parameters. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed on primary and distant metastatic breast cancers and benign breast tissue using antibodies against AR, AR-Ser(P)-213, and AR-Ser(P)-650. The levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear expression were scored semiquantitatively using a histoscore. RESULTS Nuclear staining of AR was observed in all benign breast tissue and 67% of cancer cases. Nuclear and cytoplasmic AR-Ser(P)-213 was increased in breast cancers 2-fold (P = .0014) and 1.7-fold (P = .05), respectively, compared with benign controls, whereas nuclear and cytoplasmic AR-Ser(P)-650 expression was decreased in tumors by 1.9-fold and 1.7-fold (both P < .0001), respectively. Increased expression of nuclear or cytoplasmic AR-Ser(P)-213 was observed in metastatic breast cancers (1.3-fold, P = .05), ER-negative (2.6-fold, P = .001), and invasive ductal carcinoma (6.8-fold, P = .04). AR-Ser(P)-650 expression was downregulated in lymph node-positive breast cancers (1.4-fold, P = .02) but was upregulated in invasive ductal carcinomas (3.2-fold, P < .0001) and metastases (1.5-fold, P = .003). Moreover, in ER-negative breast cancers, nuclear AR-Ser(P)-650 was decreased (1.4-fold, P = .005), and cytoplasmic AR-Ser(P)-650 was increased (1.4-fold, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS AR and its phosphorylation at serines 213 and 650 are differentially expressed in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression. Phosphorylation of AR at serines 213 and 650 is increased in ER-negative breast cancers, ductal carcinomas, and metastases and may have predictive value in breast cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghu Ren
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Liying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Rachel Ruoff
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Susan Ha
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Center for Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.,Department of New York University Cancer Institute, New York, NY
| | - Shilpa Jain
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Victor Reuter
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - William Gerald
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Dilip D Giri
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jonathan Melamed
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Michael J Garabedian
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of New York University Cancer Institute, New York, NY
| | - Peng Lee
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY.,Department of New York University Cancer Institute, New York, NY
| | - Susan K Logan
- Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Department of New York University Cancer Institute, New York, NY
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Androgen receptor expression is a predictive marker in chemotherapy-treated patients with endocrine receptor-positive primary breast cancers. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2013; 139:809-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-013-1382-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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