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Majumder A. HER3: Toward the Prognostic Significance, Therapeutic Potential, Current Challenges, and Future Therapeutics in Different Types of Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2517. [PMID: 37947595 PMCID: PMC10648638 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is the only family member of the EGRF/HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases that lacks an active kinase domain (KD), which makes it an obligate binding partner with other receptors for its oncogenic role. When HER3 is activated in a ligand-dependent (NRG1/HRG) or independent manner, it can bind to other receptors (the most potent binding partner is HER2) to regulate many biological functions (growth, survival, nutrient sensing, metabolic regulation, etc.) through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. HER3 has been found to promote tumorigenesis, tumor growth, and drug resistance in different cancer types, especially breast and non-small cell lung cancer. Given its ubiquitous expression across different solid tumors and role in oncogenesis and drug resistance, there has been a long effort to target HER3. As HER3 cannot be targeted through its KD with small-molecule kinase inhibitors via the conventional method, pharmaceutical companies have used various other approaches, including blocking either the ligand-binding domain or extracellular domain for dimerization with other receptors. The development of treatment options with anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and different combination therapies showed limited clinical efficiency for various reasons. Recent reports showed that the extracellular domain of HER3 is not required for its binding with other receptors, which raises doubt about the efforts and applicability of the development of the HER3-antibodies for treatment. Whereas HER3-directed antibody-drug conjugates showed potentiality for treatment, these drugs are still under clinical trial. The currently understood model for dimerization-induced signaling remains incomplete due to the absence of the crystal structure of HER3 signaling complexes, and many lines of evidence suggest that HER family signaling involves more than the interaction of two members. This review article will significantly expand our knowledge of HER3 signaling and shed light on developing a new generation of drugs that have fewer side effects than the current treatment regimen for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Majumder
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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2
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Shteinman ER, Vergara IA, Rawson RV, Lo SN, Maeda N, Koyama K, da Silva IP, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Wilmott JS, Menzies AM. Molecular and clinical correlates of HER3 expression highlights its potential role as a therapeutic target in melanoma. Pathology 2023:S0031-3025(23)00121-6. [PMID: 37286471 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor family member HER3 (erbB3) has been implicated in several types of cancer and recently drugs targeting HER3 have shown promising clinical activity. In melanoma, HER3 overexpression has been linked to both metastasis formation and resistance to drug therapy in cell culture models. Here, we sought to characterise the expression of HER3 in 187 melanoma biopsies (149 cutaneous, 38 mucosal) using immunohistochemistry, as well as to analyse the association between HER3 expression and molecular, clinical and pathological variables. A subset of the cutaneous melanoma specimens was taken prior to treatment with immune checkpoint blockade therapy (pre-ICB) (n=79). HER3 expression (≥1+) was observed in 136 of 187 samples (∼73%). HER3 expression was found to be markedly lower in the mucosal melanomas, with 17 of the 38 tumours (∼45%) demonstrating no HER3 expression. In cutaneous melanomas, there was a negative association between HER3 expression and mutational load, a positive association with NRAS mutational status, and a trend of negative association with PD-L1 expression. In the pre-ICB cohort, an association was found between high HER3 expression (≥2+) and overall survival after anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy. Overall, our results indicate that HER3 is a promising therapeutic avenue in cutaneous melanoma worthy of further clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva R Shteinman
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ismael A Vergara
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert V Rawson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Serigne N Lo
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Inês Pires da Silva
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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3
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Tamimi A, Tamimi A, Sorkheh F, Asl SM, Ghafari A, Karimi AG, Erabi G, Pourmontaseri H, Deravi N. Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma: A literature review. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1802. [PMID: 37042307 PMCID: PMC10172176 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a relatively common and heterogenous malignancy of different organs, such as the skin, esophagus, and lungs. Although most cases experience good survival with surgical methods, management of advanced types of the disease remains challenging. Several modalities, including different chemotherapy regimens and immunotherapies, have been investigated in this matter, among which Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are one of the most promising ones. Since the development of Mabs, they have been widely used to treat different diseases. Mabs have shown significant efficacy with high specificity along with acceptable safety, which makes them a favorable option in cancer therapy. In this article, we aimed to review the different aspects of using Mabs in SCC therapy. RECENT FINDINGS We found that treating with different Mabs has shown excellent efficacy accompanied by acceptable safety in treating SCC of different organs. Therefore, Mabs are considered great options in the treatment of SCC, especially in advanced cases. Overall, two highly potent types of Mabs in SCC therapy are anti-EGFR Mabs and checkpoint inhibitors, especially Cetuximab, Nimotuzumab, and PD-1 inhibitors. Bevacizumab is also a promising option as adjuvant therapy to other modalities. CONCLUSION Although some Mabs have shown promising outcomes in SCC therapy, their application as a part of cancer treatment depends on further investigations regarding cost-effectiveness and predictors of response. FDA has approved several Mabs in SCC therapies, and Mabs may have a crucial role in this era in the near future, especially in treating head and neck and esophageal SCC and metastatic lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Tamimi
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineGuilan University of Medical SciencesRashtIran
| | - Atena Tamimi
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Fatemeh Sorkheh
- Student Research CommitteeBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Saba Mardekatani Asl
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Arezoo Ghafari
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Gisou Erabi
- Student Research CommitteeUrmia University of Medical SciencesUrmiaIran
| | - Hossein Pourmontaseri
- Student Research CommitteeFasa University of Medical SciencesFasaIran
- Bitab knowledge EnterpriseFasa University of Medical SciencesFasaIran
| | - Niloofar Deravi
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Palumbo C, Benvenuto M, Focaccetti C, Albonici L, Cifaldi L, Rufini A, Nardozi D, Angiolini V, Bei A, Masuelli L, Bei R. Recent findings on the impact of ErbB receptors status on prognosis and therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1066021. [PMID: 36817764 PMCID: PMC9932042 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1066021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type, has often an aggressive course and is poorly responsive to current therapeutic approaches, so that 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with advanced disease is lower than 50%. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has emerged as an established oncogene in HNSCC. Indeed, although HNSCCs are a heterogeneous group of cancers which differ for histological, molecular and clinical features, EGFR is overexpressed or mutated in a percentage of cases up to about 90%. Moreover, aberrant expression of the other members of the ErbB receptor family, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4, has also been reported in variable proportions of HNSCCs. Therefore, an increased expression/activity of one or multiple ErbB receptors is found in the vast majority of patients with HNSCC. While aberrant ErbB signaling has long been known to play a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastatization and resistance to therapy, more recent evidence has revealed its impact on other features of cancer cells' biology, such as the ability to evade antitumor immunity. In this paper we will review recent findings on how ErbB receptors expression and activity, including that associated with non-canonical signaling mechanisms, impacts on prognosis and therapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Palumbo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Albonici
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufini
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Nardozi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Angiolini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Bei
- Medical School, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Roberto Bei,
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Bredel M, Kim H, Bonner JA. An ErbB Lineage Co-Regulon Harbors Potentially Co-Druggable Targets for Multimodal Precision Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113497. [PMID: 36362284 PMCID: PMC9658814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ErbB lineage of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A common co-regulon triggered by the ErbB proteins; involving shared signaling circuitries; may harbor co-druggable targets or response biomarkers for potential future multimodal precision therapy in ErbB-driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We here present a cohort-based; genome-wide analysis of 488 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas curated as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project to characterize genes that are significantly positively co-regulated with the four ErbB proteins and those that are shared among all ErbBs denoting a common ErbB co-regulon. Significant positive gene correlations involved hundreds of genes that were co-expressed with the four ErbB family members (q < 0.05). A common; overlapping co-regulon consisted of a core set of 268 genes that were uniformly co-regulated with all four ErbB genes and highly enriched for functions in chromatin organization and histone modifications. This high-priority set of genes contained ten putative antineoplastic drug-gene interactions. The nature and directionality of these ten drug-gene associations was an inhibiting interaction for seven (PIK3CB; PIK3C2B; HDAC4; FRK; PRKCE; EPHA4; and DYRK1A) of them in which the drug decreases the biological activity or expression of the gene target. For three (CHD4; ARID1A; and PBRM1) of the associations; the directionality of the interaction was such that the gene predicted sensitivit y to the drug suggesting utility as potential response biomarkers. Drug-gene interactions that predicted the gene product to be reduced by the drug included a variety of potential targeted molecular agent classes. This unbiased genome-wide analysis identified a target-rich environment for multimodal therapeutic approaches in tumors that are putatively ErbB-driven. The results of this study require preclinical validation before ultimately devising lines of combinatorial treatment strategies for ErbB-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas that incorporate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Bredel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (J.A.B.)
| | - Hyunsoo Kim
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Northern Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James A. Bonner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (J.A.B.)
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6
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Affolter A, Kern J, Bieback K, Scherl C, Rotter N, Lammert A. Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:88. [PMID: 35642667 PMCID: PMC9183766 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14-32% in second-line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify subgroups of patients most likely to respond to CPI and ii) to define new combinatorial treatment regimens. Particularly in a heterogeneous disease such as HNSCC, thoroughly studying the interactions and crosstalking between tumor and TME cells is one of the biggest challenges. Sophisticated 3D models are therefore urgently needed to be able to validate such basic science hypotheses and to test novel immuno-oncologic treatment regimens in consideration of the individual biology of each tumor. The present review will first summarize recent findings on immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, the role of the TME and signaling cascades eliciting during CPI. Second, it will highlight the significance of current promising approaches to establish HNSCC 3D models for new immunotherapies. The results are encouraging and indicate that data obtained from patient-specific tumors in a dish might be finally translated into personalized immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden‑Württemberg‑Hessen, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
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7
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Chang CS, Shim JI, Byeon SJ, Lee EJ, Lee YY, Kim TJ, Lee JW, Kim BG, Choi CH. Prognostic Significance of HER3 Expression in Patients with Cervical Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092139. [PMID: 35565268 PMCID: PMC9104480 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
HER3 has been recognized to have an oncogenic role in various types of cancer. However, its prognostic significance has not been elucidated in cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of HER3 expression in cervical cancer using immunohistochemistry (IHC). HER3 immunohistochemical staining was performed on the tumor tissue samples of 336 cervical cancer patients. The association between the clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival analysis was assessed according to HER3 expression. HER3 IHC staining was positive in 31.0% (104/336) of the cervical cancer patients. A higher proportion of adeno-/adenosquamous carcinoma was observed in the HER3-positive group (34.6%) than in the HER3-negative group (18.8%). In survival analysis, HER3 expression was significantly associated with poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate analysis also indicated that HER3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42−4.67, p = 0.002) and OS (HR = 3.21, 95% CI, 1.26−8.14, p = 0.014). HER3 protein expression was a poor prognostic factor of survival in patients with cervical cancer. This finding could help to provide individualized management for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Son Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Jung In Shim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Sun-Ju Byeon
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwasung 18450, Korea;
| | - Eun Jin Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Yoo-Young Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Tae-Joong Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Jeong-Won Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Byoung-Gie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
| | - Chel Hun Choi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea; (C.-S.C.); (J.I.S.); (E.J.L.); (Y.-Y.L.); (T.-J.K.); (J.-W.L.); (B.-G.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-3410-3545; Fax: +82-2-3410-0630
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8
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Iida M, McDaniel NK, Kostecki KL, Welke NB, Kranjac CA, Liu P, Longhurst C, Bruce JY, Hong S, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. AXL regulates neuregulin1 expression leading to cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:447. [PMID: 35461210 PMCID: PMC9035247 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and an important therapeutic target in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeting agent approved by the FDA for treatment of HNC; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab is a major problem in the clinic. Our lab previously reported that AXL leads to cetuximab resistance via activation of HER3. In this study, we investigate the connection between AXL, HER3, and neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene expression with a focus on understanding how their interdependent signaling promotes resistance to cetuximab in HNC. METHODS Plasmid or siRNA transfections and cell-based assays were conducted to test cetuximab sensitivity. Quantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to analyze gene and protein expression levels. Seven HNC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were evaluated for protein expression levels. RESULTS We found that HER3 expression was necessary but not sufficient for cetuximab resistance without AXL expression. Our results demonstrated that addition of the HER3 ligand NRG1 to cetuximab-sensitive HNC cells leads to cetuximab resistance. Further, AXL-overexpressing cells regulate NRG1 at the level of transcription, thereby promoting cetuximab resistance. Immunoblot analysis revealed that NRG1 expression was relatively high in cetuximab-resistant HNC PDXs compared to cetuximab-sensitive HNC PDXs. Finally, genetic inhibition of NRG1 resensitized AXL-overexpressing cells to cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that AXL may signal through HER3 via NRG1 to promote cetuximab resistance and that targeting of NRG1 could have significant clinical implications for HNC therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nellie K McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Noah B Welke
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Carlene A Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Colin Longhurst
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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9
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Almadori G, Coli A, De Corso E, Mele DA, Settimi S, Di Cintio G, Brigato F, Scannone D, Carey TE, Paludetti G, Lauriola L, Ranelletti FO. Nuclear HER3 expression improves the prognostic stratification of patients with HER1 positive advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2021; 19:408. [PMID: 34579737 PMCID: PMC8477517 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compared to the other members of human epidermal growth factor family receptors (HER), the role of HER3 has not been well defined in laryngeal cancer. The predictive and prognostic role of HER3 has been the focus of clinical attention but the research findings are contradictory, especially in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The variable localization of HER3 within cancer cells and the role of HER3 in primary and acquired resistance to HER1-targeted therapies remain unclear. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of two cohorts of 66 homogeneous consecutive untreated primary advanced LSCC patients, in which co-expression of HER1, HER2 and HER3 receptors was investigated by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. The association of their pattern of expression with survival was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox’s proportional hazard analyses. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were developed to predict median 2- and 3-year RFS and 2.5- and 5-year OS. The Akaike information criterion technique and backwards stepwise procedure were used for model selections. The performance of the final Cox models was assessed with respect to calibration and discrimination. Results Immunohistochemical labeling for HER1 and HER2 was localized both in the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, while HER3 labeling was observed both in the cell cytoplasm and in the nucleus. HER3 expression was inversely correlated with HER1 positivity. The expression patterns of HERs were associated with tumor differentiation. In both cohorts of patients, HER1 expression was associated with reduced relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In HER1 positive tumors, the co-expression with nuclear HER3 was associated with better RFS and OS, compared with HER3 negative tumors or tumors expressing HER3 at cytoplasmic level. HER3 expressing tumors had a higher Geminin/MCM7 ratio than HER3 negative ones, regardless of HER1 co-expression. Multivariable analyses identified age at diagnosis, tumor site, HER1, HER3 and age at diagnosis, tumor stage, HER1, HER3, as covariates significantly associated with RFS and OS, respectively. Bootstrapping verified the good fitness of these models for predicting survivals and the optimism-corrected C-indices were 0.76 and 0.77 for RFS and OS, respectively. Conclusions Nuclear HER3 expression was strongly associated with favourable prognosis and allows to improve the prognostic stratification of patients with HER1 positive advanced LSCC carcinoma. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03081-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Almadori
- Unit of Head and Neck Oncology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS-Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. .,Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy. .,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
| | - Antonella Coli
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Unit of Anatomic Pathology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Eugenio De Corso
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Dario Antonio Mele
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Settimi
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Cintio
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Brigato
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Domenico Scannone
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Thomas E Carey
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gaetano Paludetti
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Libero Lauriola
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Unit of Anatomic Pathology, "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Roma, Italy
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10
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Xu M, Zhan J, Xie J, Zhu L, Chen L, Luo X, Sheng X, Liu T, Zhang S, Lu Z. MiR-125a-5p inhibits cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration while promoting apoptosis in head and neck cancers by targeting ERBB3. Auris Nasus Larynx 2021; 48:477-486. [PMID: 33077307 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Head and neck cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide. MicroRNAs play a vital regulatory role in the occurrence and development of cancer. The objective of this study is to explore the mechanism of miR-125a-5p in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells and define its target genes. METHODS The effects of miR-125a-5p on head and neck cancer cells proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and migration were evaluated by colony formation, BrdU assay, flow cytometry and transwell assays. The potential target gene of miR-125a-5p was determined by luciferase activity assay and western blot analysis. RESULTS In this study, overexpression of miR-125a-5p significantly inhibited the proliferation of head and neck cancer cells, whereas inhibition of miR-125a-5p enhanced their proliferation. BrdU assay and flow cytometry revealed that miR-125a-5p might inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells by causing cell cycle arrest. Cell apoptosis assay and Transwell assay indicated that miR-125a-5p induced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration of cancer cells. Other experiments confirmed that miR-125a-5p could significantly downregulate its expression by binding to ERBB3 to inhibit proliferation and ERBB3 could at least partially mediate the inhibition of miR-125a-5p on the proliferation of head and neck cancer cells. CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggested that the miR-125a-5p/ERBB3 axis might play a role in the proliferation, regulation of cell cycle, migration and apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells, potentially offering a new target for treatments of head and neck cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University
| | - Jiandong Zhan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jiaxuan Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lijun Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Liangsi Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiaoning Luo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiaoli Sheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Siyi Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University.
| | - Zhongming Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University.
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11
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Yang X, Miao Y, Wang J, Mi D. A pan-cancer analysis of the HER family gene and their association with prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic targets. Life Sci 2021; 273:119307. [PMID: 33691171 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family gene is involved in a wide range of biological functions in human cancers. Nevertheless, there is little research that comprehensively analysis the correlation between HER family members and prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME) in different cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on updated public databases and integrated several bioinformatics analysis methods, we evaluated expression level, prognostic values of HER family gene and explore the association between expression of HER family gene and TME, Stemness score, immune subtype, drug sensitivity in pan-cancer. KEY FINDINGS EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, and ERBB4 were higher expressed in four cancers, five cancers, ten cancers, and two cancers, respectively. HER family gene expression is related to the prognosis in several cancers from TCGA and has a significant correlation with stromal and immune scores in pan-cancer also has a significant correlation with RNA stemness score and DNA stemness score in pan-cancer. Expression level of HER family gene is associated with immune subtype in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. EGFR expression was negatively associated with drug sensitivity of Pipamperone, Tamoxifen, Bafetinib and positively related to drug sensitivity of Dasatinib and Staurosporine. ERBB2 expression was negatively related to drug sensitivity of Ifosfamide, Imexon, and Oxaliplatin. ERBB4 expression was positively related to drug sensitivity of E-7820. SIGNIFICANCE These findings may elucidate the roles played by HER family gene in cancer progression and providing insights for further investigation of the HER family gene as potential targets in pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Yandong Miao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, PR China.
| | - Jiangtao Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Denghai Mi
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, PR China; Gansu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, PR China.
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12
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Deuss E, Gößwein D, Gül D, Zimmer S, Foersch S, Eger CS, Limburg I, Stauber RH, Künzel J. Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Cancer: Her1-4 and c-Met in Conjunction with the Clinical Features and Human Papillomavirus (p16) Status. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113358. [PMID: 33202816 PMCID: PMC7697064 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113358] [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: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Growth factor expression is a negative prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Targeted therapy has a limited effect on the treatment of advanced stages due to evolving resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of growth factor receptors in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) and evaluate their role in the context of the human papillomavirus status, prognosis and possible relevance for targeted therapy. Tissue microarrays of 78 primary OPSCC, 35 related lymph node metastasis, 6 distant metastasis and 9 recurrent tumors were manufactured to evaluate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/erbB/Her)1–4 and c-Met by immunohistochemistry. EGFR and c-Met are relevant negative prognostic factors especially in noxae-induced OPSCC. Thus, dual targeting of EGFR and c-Met could be a promising prospective target in OPSCC treatment. Frequent coexpression of assessed receptors represents a possible intrinsic resistance mechanism in targeted therapy. Abstract This study aimed to assess the distribution of growth factor receptors in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) and evaluate their role in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, prognosis and potential relevance for targeted therapy. The protein expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her)1–4 and c-Met were retrospectively assessed using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays and analyzed for correlations as well as differences in the clinicopathological criteria. Her1–4 and c-met were overexpressed compared to normal mucosa in 46%, 4%, 17%, 27% and 23%, respectively. Interestingly, most receptors were coexpressed. Her1 and c-Met were inversely correlated with p16 (p = 0.04; p = 0.02). Her2 and c-Met were associated with high tobacco consumption (p = 0.016; p = 0.04). High EGFR, Her3, Her4 and c-Met expression were associated with worse overall and disease-free survival (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, EGFR and c-Met expression showed raised hazard ratios of 2.53 (p = 0.02; 95% CI 1.24–5.18) and 2.45 (p = 0.02; 95% CI 1.13–5.35), respectively. Her4 was expressed less in distant metastases than in corresponding primary tumors and was correlated to a higher T category. EGFR and c-Met are relevant negative prognostic factors in OPSCC, independent of known clinicopathological parameters. We suggest dual targeting of EGFR and c-Met as a promising strategy for OPSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Deuss
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0-177-8482208
| | - Dorothee Gößwein
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Désirée Gül
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Stefanie Zimmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.Z.); (S.F.)
| | - Sebastian Foersch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.Z.); (S.F.)
| | - Claudia S. Eger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Ivonne Limburg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Roland H. Stauber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Institute for Biotechnology, Shanxi University, No. 92 Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Julian Künzel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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13
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Hafeez U, Parslow AC, Gan HK, Scott AM. New insights into ErbB3 function and therapeutic targeting in cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:1057-1074. [PMID: 32981377 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1829485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The importance of ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase in cancer progression, primary and acquired drug resistance, has become steadily evident since its discovery in 1989. ErbB3 overexpression in various solid organ malignancies is associated with shorter survival of patients. However, initial strategies to therapeutically target ErbB3 have not been rewarding. AREAS COVERED Here, we provide an overview of ErbB3 biology in carcinogenesis. We outline the role of ErbB3 as a critical pathway for resistance to other anti-cancer drugs. We focus on emerging clinical data, which will steer the potential future development of ErbB3 directed therapies. EXPERT OPINION Initial approaches to ErbB3 targeting have been challenging. However, the lack of success of anti-ErbB3 therapies in ongoing clinical trials may relate more to the complex biology of the receptor and challenges with the biomarkers used to date. Furthermore, it seems certain that the expression of the receptor per se is necessary but not sufficient for the response to ErbB3 therapies. Emerging data suggest that more sophisticated biomarkers are needed. Nonetheless, it is also likely that ErbB3 therapies may have the most efficacy in combination therapy, and their favorable toxicity profile makes this feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umbreen Hafeez
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health , Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam C Parslow
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hui K Gan
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health , Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University , Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health , Melbourne, Australia
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14
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Development of a five-protein signature for predicting the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:19740-19755. [PMID: 33049713 PMCID: PMC7732293 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104036] [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: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Currently no reliable indicators are available for predicting the clinical outcome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to develop a protein-based model to improve the prognosis prediction of HNSCC. The proteome data of HNSCC cohort was downloaded from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) portal. The TCPA HNSCC cohort was randomly divided into the discovery and validation cohort. A protein-based risk signature was developed with the discovery cohort, and then verified with the validation cohort. The prognostic value of HER3_pY1289 was further determined. We have constructed a five-protein risk signature which was strongly associated with the overall survival (OS) in the discovery cohort. Similar findings were observed in the validation cohort. The protein-based risk signature was identified as an independent prognostic factor for HNSCC. A nomogram model built on the protein-based risk signature exhibited good performance for predicting OS. Our immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis showed that higher HER3_pY1289 staining intensity was closely associated with unfavorable prognosis of HNSCC. HER3 suppression inhibited the proliferation and invasion capacity of HNSCC cells. Collectively, we have developed a protein-based risk signature for accurately predicting the prognosis of HNSCC, which might provide valuable information for optimal individualized treatment regimens.
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15
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SATB1 as oncogenic driver and potential therapeutic target in head & neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Sci Rep 2020; 10:8615. [PMID: 32451408 PMCID: PMC7248088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65077-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a genome organizer protein that controls gene expression of numerous genes by regulating chromatin architecture and targeting chromatin-remodeling/-modifying enzymes onto specific chromatin regions. SATB1 is overexpressed in various tumors. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), SATB1 upregulation is correlated with TNM classification, metastasis, poor prognosis and reduced overall survival. In this paper, we comprehensively analyze cellular and molecular effects of SATB1 in a large set of primary cell lines from primary HNSCC or metastases, using RNAi-mediated knockdown in vitro and, therapeutically, in tumor xenograft mouse models in vivo. In a series of 15 cell lines, major differences in SATB1 levels are observed. In various 2-D and 3-D assays, growth inhibition upon efficient siRNA-mediated SATB1 knockdown depends on the cell line rather than initial SATB1 levels. Inhibitory effects are found to be based on cell cycle deceleration, apoptosis induction, decreased HER3 and Heregulin A&B expression, and effects on EMT genes. In vivo, systemic treatment of tumor xenograft-bearing mice with siRNAs formulated in polymeric nanoparticles inhibits tumor growth of two HNSCC xenograft models, resulting from therapeutic SATB1 reduction and concomitant decrease of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, SATB1 represents a promising target in HNSCC, affecting crucial cellular processes and molecular pathways.
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16
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Ngan HL, Liu Y, Fong AY, Poon PHY, Yeung CK, Chan SSM, Lau A, Piao W, Li H, Tse JSW, Lo KW, Chan SM, Su YX, Chan JYK, Lau CW, Mills GB, Grandis JR, Lui VWY. MAPK pathway mutations in head and neck cancer affect immune microenvironments and ErbB3 signaling. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/6/e201900545. [PMID: 32381551 PMCID: PMC7219112 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK mutations favor HNSCC survival, revealing the broad clinical utility of MAPK pathway mutations in prognosis and potentially in precision immunotherapy. MAPK pathway mutations affect one-fifth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Unexpectedly, MAPK pathway aberrations are associated with remarkably long patient survival, even among patients with TP53 mutations (median ∼14 yr). We explored underlying outcome-favoring mechanisms with omics followed by preclinical models. Strikingly, multiple hotspot and non-hotspot MAPK mutations (A/BRAF, HRAS, MAPK1, and MAP2K1/2) all abrogated ErbB3 activation, a well-established HNSCC progression signal. Inhibitor studies functionally defined ERK activity negatively regulating phospho-ErbB3 in MAPK-mutants. Furthermore, pan-pathway immunoprofiling investigations identified MAPK-mutant tumors as the only “CD8+ T-cell–inflamed” tumors inherently bearing high-immunoreactive, constitutive cytolytic tumor microenvironments. Immunocompetent MAPK-mutant HNSCC models displayed active cell death and massive CD8+ T-cell recruitment in situ. Consistent with CD8+ T-inflamed phenotypes, MAPK-mutant HNSCC patients, independent of tumor-mutational burden, survived 3.3–4 times longer than WT patients with anti-PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapies. Similar prognosticity was noted in pan-cancers. We uncovered clinical, signaling, and immunological uniqueness of MAPK-mutant HNSCC with potential biomarker utilities predicting favorable patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Lam Ngan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yuchen Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Andrew Yuon Fong
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Peony Hiu Yan Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chun Kit Yeung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | | | - Alexandria Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wenying Piao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Hui Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jessie Sze Wing Tse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sze Man Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yu-Xiong Su
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jason Ying Kuen Chan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chin Wang Lau
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck, Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Cell, Development and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer Rubin Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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17
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the genomic characterization of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) and discusses how these abnormalities could be incorporated into a therapeutic approach. RECENT FINDINGS Tobacco and HPV infection, the two main risk factors of HNSCC, allow the definition of two groups with distinct anatomoclinical and genetic features. As tobacco and HPV infection are not exclusive, exposure to both risk factors is associated with an intermediate prognostic. HPV-positive, nontobacco-related HNSCCs are associated with a better prognosis, a rather more simple genomic profile, frequent activating mutations of genes involved in pi3kinase pathway, and the very low incidence of mutations of tumor suppressor genes. HPV-negative, tobacco-related HNSCC are genetically more complex. HPV-negative HNSCC are characterized by almost mandatory inactivating mutations/deletions of tumor suppressor genes (especially TP53 and CDKN2A) and the occurrence, though less frequent, of activating mutations or amplifications of some oncogenes that encode for cell cycle proteins or receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. Despite many efforts to improve therapeutic targeting in RM HNSCC, Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting REGF, remains the sole approved targeted treatment in RM HNSCC. SUMMARY Despite the increasingly precise genomic characterization of HNSCCs, precision medicine is struggling to find its place in the management of HNSCCs. Inclusion of enriched populations in dedicated trials is likely to help implement precision medicine in the management of HNSCCs.
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Forster MD, Dillon MT, Kocsis J, Remenár É, Pajkos G, Rolland F, Greenberg J, Harrington KJ. Patritumab or placebo, with cetuximab plus platinum therapy in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A randomised phase II study. Eur J Cancer 2019; 123:36-47. [PMID: 31648099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fully human monoclonal antibody patritumab blocks HER3 activation, a resistance mechanism to cetuximab, induced by heregulin (HRG). A phase Ib study in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) demonstrated tolerability and tumour response of patritumab + cetuximab + platinum. METHODS This was a randomised, double-blind, phase II study of patritumab + cetuximab with platinum-based therapy for first-line treatment of R/M SCCHN (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02633800). Patients aged ≥18 years received patritumab or placebo, both combined with cetuximab + cisplatin or carboplatin. Co-primary end-points were progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) and the high-expression HRG (HRG high) populations. RESULTS Eighty-seven patients (n = 43 in the patritumab group; n = 44 in placebo group) enrolled. A median (range) of 6.5 (1-24) patritumab cycles were completed. Median PFS was similar between the patritumab group and placebo group in the ITT population (5.6 versus 5.5 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.99 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-1.7]; P = 0.96) and HRG-high subgroup (n = 51; 5.6 versus 5.6 months; HR 0.93 [95% CI, 0.5-1.8]; P = 0.82). Median overall survival in the ITT population was also similar (10.0 versus 12.7 months; HR 1.3 [95% CI, 0.69-2.29]; P = 0.46). All patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). Grade ≥III TEAEs were more frequent in the patritumab than the placebo group (84.1% versus 60.5%). The most common grade ≥III patritumab-related TEAE in the patritumab group (20.5% overall) was rash (6.8%). CONCLUSION Patritumab + cetuximab + platinum was tolerable but not superior to cetuximab + platinum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin D Forster
- Department of Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute/University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Magnus T Dillon
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Center, London, UK
| | - Judit Kocsis
- Oncology Department, Debrecen University Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary; Department of Oncoradiology, Bács-kiskun County Teaching Hospital (BKMK) Centre of Oncoradiology, Kecskemét, Hungary
| | - Éva Remenár
- Hospitalier Order of Saint John of God Hospital Buda, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Pajkos
- Department of Oncoradiology, Bács-kiskun County Teaching Hospital (BKMK) Centre of Oncoradiology, Kecskemét, Hungary
| | - Frederic Rolland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancerologie de l'Ouest (ICO) - Site René Gauducheau, Saint-Herblain, France
| | | | - Kevin J Harrington
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Center, London, UK.
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Duvvuri U, George J, Kim S, Alvarado D, Neumeister VM, Chenna A, Gedrich R, Hawthorne T, LaVallee T, Grandis JR, Bauman JE. Molecular and Clinical Activity of CDX-3379, an Anti-ErbB3 Monoclonal Antibody, in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:5752-5758. [PMID: 31308059 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE ErbB3 and its ligand neuregulin-1 (NRG1) are widely expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and associated with tumor progression. A "window-of-opportunity" study (NCT02473731) was conducted to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of CDX-3379, an anti-ErbB3 mAb, in patients with HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve patients with newly diagnosed, operable HNSCC received two infusions of CDX-3379 (1,000 mg) at a 2-week interval prior to tumor resection. The primary study objective was to achieve ≥50% reduction in tumor ErbB3 signaling (phosphorylation of ErbB3; pErbB3) in ≥30% of patients. Other potential tumor biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, safety, and tumor measurements were also assessed. RESULTS pErbB3 was detectable in all tumors prior to treatment and decreased for 10 of 12 (83%) patients following CDX-3379 dosing, with ≥50% reduction in 7 of 12 (58%; P = 0.04; 95% confidence interval, 27.7%-84.8%). Target trough CDX-3379 serum levels were achieved in all patients. CDX-3379 treatment-related toxicity was grade 1-2 and included diarrhea, fatigue, and acneiform dermatitis. Five of 12 (42%) patients had shrinkage in tumor burden, including a marked clinical response in a patient with human papillomavirus-negative oral cavity HNSCC. All patients with tumor shrinkage had tumors that expressed both NRG1 and ErbB3 and demonstrated reduced pErbB3 with CDX-3379 treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that CDX-3379 can inhibit tumor ErbB3 phosphorylation in HNSCC. CDX-3379 was well tolerated and associated with measurable tumor regression. A phase II study (NCT03254927) has been initiated to evaluate CDX-3379 in combination with cetuximab for patients with advanced HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umamaheswar Duvvuri
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Jonathan George
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Seungwon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Ahmed Chenna
- Monogram Biosciences, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, South San Francisco, California
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Julie E Bauman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona
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20
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Meister KS, Godse NR, Khan NI, Hedberg ML, Kemp C, Kulkarni S, Alvarado D, LaVallee T, Kim S, Grandis JR, Duvvuri U. HER3 targeting potentiates growth suppressive effects of the PI3K inhibitor BYL719 in pre-clinical models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9130. [PMID: 31235758 PMCID: PMC6591241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BYL719 is a PI3K inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BYL719 exerts its therapeutic effect by suppressing AKT and other proliferative signaling mechanisms. Despite PI3K inhibition and AKT suppression, residual activity of protein S6, a core marker of proliferative activation, has been observed. HER3, either via dimerization or activation by its ligand neurgeulin (NRG), is known to activate PI3K. Thus, we hypothesized that co-targeting HER3 and PI3K would lead to greater suppression of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and greater tumor suppression than with BYL719 alone. We investigated biochemical expression and activation of the HER3-PI3K-AKT-S6 pathway in HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Antitumor effects of HER3 and PI3K inhibitors alone and in combination were evaluated in cell culture and murine models. Treatment of HNSCC cell lines with BYL719 significantly reduced AKT activation and suppressed tumor growth. However, S6 was persistently activated despite suppression of AKT. Combination treatment with KTN3379, a monoclonal antibody targeted against HER3, and BYL719 led to enhanced suppression of in vitro and in vivo cancer growth and durable suppression of AKT and S6. Therefore, inhibition of HER3 with KTN3379 enhanced the effects of PI3K inhibition in pre-clinical HNSCC models. These data support co-targeting HER3 and PI3K for the treatment of HSNCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara S Meister
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Neal R Godse
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Nayel I Khan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Matthew L Hedberg
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Carolyn Kemp
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Sucheta Kulkarni
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | | | | | - Seungwon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Umamaheswar Duvvuri
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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21
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Faden DL, Gomez-Casal R, Alvarado D, Duvvuri U. Genomic Correlates of Exceptional Response to ErbB3 Inhibition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2019; 3. [PMID: 31440738 DOI: 10.1200/po.18.00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Faden
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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22
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Yee PS, Zainal NS, Gan CP, Lee BKB, Mun KS, Abraham MT, Ismail SM, Abdul Rahman ZA, Patel V, Cheong SC. Synergistic Growth Inhibition by Afatinib and Trametinib in Preclinical Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models. Target Oncol 2019; 14:223-235. [DOI: 10.1007/s11523-019-00626-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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23
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Jacob W, James I, Hasmann M, Weisser M. Clinical development of HER3-targeting monoclonal antibodies: Perils and progress. Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 68:111-123. [PMID: 29944978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family consists of four transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, HER3, and HER4. They are part of a complex signalling network and stimulate intracellular pathways regulating cell growth and differentiation. So far, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting EGFR and HER2 have been developed and approved. Recently, focus has turned to HER3 as it may play an important role in resistance to EGFR- and HER2-targeting therapies. HER3-targeting agents have been undergoing clinical evaluation for the last 10 years and currently thirteen mAbs are in phase 1 or 2 clinical studies. Single agent activity has proven to be limited, however, the tolerability was favourable. Thus, combinations of HER3-binding mAbs with other HER-targeting therapies or chemotherapies have been pursued in various solid tumor entities. Data indicate that the HER3-binding ligand heregulin may serve as a response prediction marker for HER3-targeting therapy. Within this review the current status of clinical development of HER3-targeting compounds is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Jacob
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany.
| | - Ian James
- A4P Consulting Ltd, Discovery Park, Sandwich, UK
| | - Max Hasmann
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Martin Weisser
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
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24
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Cohen EEW, Licitra LF, Burtness B, Fayette J, Gauler T, Clement PM, Grau JJ, Del Campo JM, Mailliez A, Haddad RI, Vermorken JB, Tahara M, Guigay J, Geoffrois L, Merlano MC, Dupuis N, Krämer N, Cong XJ, Gibson N, Solca F, Ehrnrooth E, Machiels JPH. Biomarkers predict enhanced clinical outcomes with afatinib versus methotrexate in patients with second-line recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer. Ann Oncol 2018; 28:2526-2532. [PMID: 28961833 PMCID: PMC5834024 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the phase III LUX-Head & Neck 1 (LUX-H&N1) trial, second-line afatinib significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus methotrexate in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Here, we evaluated association of prespecified biomarkers with efficacy outcomes in LUX-H&N1. Patients and methods Randomized patients with R/M HNSCC and progression following ≥2 cycles of platinum therapy received afatinib (40 mg/day) or methotrexate (40 mg/m2/week). Tumor/serum samples were collected at study entry for patients who volunteered for inclusion in biomarker analyses. Tumor biomarkers, including p16 (prespecified subgroup; all tumor subsites), EGFR, HER2, HER3, c-MET and PTEN, were assessed using tissue microarray cores and slides; serum protein was evaluated using the VeriStrat® test. Biomarkers were correlated with efficacy outcomes. Results Of 483 randomized patients, 326 (67%) were included in the biomarker analyses; baseline characteristics were consistent with the overall study population. Median PFS favored afatinib over methotrexate in patients with p16-negative [2.7 versus 1.6 months; HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.50-0.97)], EGFR-amplified [2.8 versus 1.5 months; HR 0.53 (0.33-0.85)], HER3-low [2.8 versus 1.8 months; HR 0.57 (0.37-0.88)], and PTEN-high [1.6 versus 1.4 months; HR 0.55 (0.29-1.05)] tumors. Afatinib also improved PFS in combined subsets of patients with p16-negative and EGFR-amplified tumors [2.7 versus 1.5 months; HR 0.47 (0.28-0.80)], and patients with p16-negative tumors who were EGFR therapy-naïve [4.0 versus 2.4 months; HR 0.55 (0.31-0.98)]. PFS was improved in afatinib-treated patients who were VeriStrat 'Good' versus 'Poor' [2.7 versus 1.5 months; HR 0.71 (0.49-0.94)], but no treatment interaction was observed. Afatinib improved tumor response versus methotrexate in all subsets analyzed except for those with p16-positive disease (n = 35). Conclusions Subgroups of HNSCC patients who may achieve increased benefit from afatinib were identified based on prespecified tumor biomarkers (p16-negative, EGFR-amplified, HER3-low, PTEN-high). Future studies are warranted to validate these findings. Clinical trial registration NCT01345682.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E W Cohen
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA;.
| | - L F Licitra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan;; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - B Burtness
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - J Fayette
- Department of Medicine, Léon Bérard Center, Lyon;; Department of Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - T Gauler
- Department of Medicine, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen of the University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - P M Clement
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J J Grau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - J M Del Campo
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Mailliez
- Oncology Department Mastology, Centre Oscar Lambret, Lille, France
| | - R I Haddad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston;; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - J B Vermorken
- Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - M Tahara
- Department of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - J Guigay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, FHU OncoAge, Nice
| | - L Geoffrois
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - M C Merlano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | | | - N Krämer
- Staburo GmbH, Munich, Germany on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - X J Cong
- Biometrics and Data Management, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, USA
| | - N Gibson
- Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - F Solca
- Pharmacology and Translational Research, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - E Ehrnrooth
- TA Oncology, Boehringer Ingelheim, Danmark A/S, Denmark
| | - J-P H Machiels
- Institut Roi Albert II, Service d'Oncologie Médicale, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels;; Institut de Recherche Clinique et Expérimentale (Pole MIRO), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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25
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De Pauw I, Lardon F, Van den Bossche J, Baysal H, Fransen E, Deschoolmeester V, Pauwels P, Peeters M, Vermorken JB, Wouters A. Simultaneous targeting of EGFR, HER2, and HER4 by afatinib overcomes intrinsic and acquired cetuximab resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:830-854. [PMID: 29603584 PMCID: PMC5983215 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1) is a therapeutic target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). After initial promising results with EGFR-targeted therapies such as cetuximab, therapeutic resistance has become a major clinical problem, and new treatment options are therefore necessary. Moreover, the relationship between HER receptors, anti-EGFR therapies, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) status in HNSCC is not fully understood. In contrast to first-generation EGFR inhibitors, afatinib irreversibly inhibits multiple HER receptors simultaneously. Therefore, treatment with afatinib might result in a more pronounced therapeutic benefit, even in patients experiencing cetuximab resistance. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of afatinib as single agent and in combination with cisplatin was investigated in cetuximab-sensitive, intrinsically cetuximab-resistant, and acquired cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cell lines with different HPV status under normoxia and hypoxia. Furthermore, the influence of cetuximab resistance, HPV, and hypoxia on the expression of HER receptors was investigated. Our results demonstrated that afatinib was able to establish cytotoxicity in cetuximab-sensitive, intrinsically cetuximab-resistant, and acquired cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cell lines, independent of the HPV status. However, cross-resistance between cetuximab and afatinib might be possible. Treatment with afatinib caused a G0 /G1 cell cycle arrest as well as induction of apoptotic cell death. Additive to antagonistic interactions between afatinib and cisplatin could be observed. Neither cetuximab resistance nor HPV status significantly influenced the expression of HER receptors in HNSCC cell lines. In contrast, the expression of EGFR, HER2, and HER3 was significantly altered under hypoxia. Oxygen deficiency is a common characteristic of HNSCC tumors, and these hypoxic tumor regions often contain cells that are more resistant to treatment. However, we observed that afatinib maintained its cytotoxic effect under hypoxia. In conclusion, our preclinical data support the hypothesis that afatinib might be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat patients with HNSCC experiencing intrinsic or acquired cetuximab resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines De Pauw
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Hasan Baysal
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Deschoolmeester
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jan Baptist Vermorken
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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26
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Mota JM, Collier KA, Barros Costa RL, Taxter T, Kalyan A, Leite CA, Chae YK, Giles FJ, Carneiro BA. A comprehensive review of heregulins, HER3, and HER4 as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:89284-89306. [PMID: 29179520 PMCID: PMC5687690 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heregulins (HRGs) bind to the receptors HER3 or HER4, induce receptor dimerization, and trigger downstream signaling that leads to tumor progression and resistance to targeted therapies. Increased expression of HRGs has been associated with worse clinical prognosis; therefore, attempts to block HRG-dependent tumor growth have been pursued. This manuscript summarizes the function and signaling of HRGs and review the preclinical evidence of its involvement in carcinogenesis, prognosis, and treatment resistance in several malignancies such as colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Agents in preclinical development and clinical trials of novel therapeutics targeting HRG-dependent signaling are also discussed, including anti-HER3 and -HER4 antibodies, anti-metalloproteinase agents, and HRG fusion proteins. Although several trials have indicated an acceptable safety profile, translating preclinical findings into clinical practice remains a challenge in this field, possibly due to the complexity of downstream signaling and patterns of HRG, HER3 and HER4 expression in different cancer subtypes. Improving patient selection through biomarkers and understanding the resistance mechanisms may translate into significant clinical benefits in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mauricio Mota
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Division of Oncology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katharine Ann Collier
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ricardo Lima Barros Costa
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Timothy Taxter
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Aparna Kalyan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Caio A. Leite
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Young Kwang Chae
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francis J. Giles
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benedito A. Carneiro
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Dual "mAb" HER family blockade in head and neck cancer human cell lines combined with photon therapy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12207. [PMID: 28939847 PMCID: PMC5610257 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12367-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly resistant to treatment. When EGFR is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), HER2 and HER3 are also expressed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of HER1/2/3 blockade through a combination of cetuximab and pertuzumab, with or without photon irradiation, on the proliferation and migration/invasion capabilities of an HNSCC chemo- and radioresistant human cell line (SQ20B) and its corresponding stem cell subpopulation. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were studied after treatment with cetuximab +/− pertuzumab +/− 10 Gy photon irradiation. EGFR, phospho-EGFR, HER2 and HER3 protein expression levels were studied. Activation or inhibition of the RAS/MAPK and AKT-mTOR downstream signalling cascades was investigated through phospho-AKT and phospho-MEK1/2 expression. Cetuximab strongly inhibited SQ20B and FaDu cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas it had little effect on SQ20B-CSCs. Cetuximab–pertuzumab combined with radiation significantly inhibited SQ20B and FaDu cell and SQ20B-CSC proliferation, migration and invasion. Cetuximab–pertuzumab with 10 Gy photon irradiation switched off both phospho-AKT and phospho-MEK1/2 expression in the three populations. The triple therapy is therefore thought to inhibit SQ20B cells, SQ20B-CSCs and FaDu cells through an AKT-mTOR and Ras-MAPK downstream signalling blockade.
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28
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Targeted Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: An Update on Current Clinical Developments in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapies. Drugs 2017; 77:843-857. [PMID: 28382569 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-017-0734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Most patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) will present with locally advanced disease, requiring multimodality therapy. Despite this curative approach, a significant subset of these patients will develop locoregional failure and/or distant metastases. Despite significant progress in the treatment and subsequent prognosis of locally advanced HNSCC, the prognosis of those patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC is poor, with short-lived responses to palliative chemotherapy and few therapeutic agents available. The discovery of the integral role of epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, coupled with emerging data on the role of tumor evasion of the immune system, has opened new pathways in the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of R/M HNSCC. As a result, cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, as well as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), are now US Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of R/M HNSCC. This review will detail the data supporting the use of these agents, as well as clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of other novel and promising drugs.
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Li Q, Zhang R, Yan H, Zhao P, Wu L, Wang H, Li T, Cao B. Prognostic significance of HER3 in patients with malignant solid tumors. Oncotarget 2017; 8:67140-67151. [PMID: 28978022 PMCID: PMC5620162 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is closely involved in tumor progression and is an important target of therapy. To evaluate the prognostic significance of HER3 in malignant solid tumors, we searched the PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for relevant studies written in English or Chinese up to December 2015. Fifteen studies comprising 2964 patients were identified. The HER3+ rate ranged from 9.0-75.1 % in malignant solid tumors: 30.3-75.1 % in breast cancers, 51.1-74.5 % in colorectal cancers, 13.7-59.0 % in gastric cancers, and 54.5-74.4 % in cervical cancers. For patients with a malignant solid tumor, the death risk was higher for those with a HER3+ tumor than for those with a HER3− tumor (HR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.27 - 2.02, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed this was also the case for patients with digestive or gastric cancer (HR 1.78, P < 0.001; HR 2.18, P < 0.001). By contrast, HER3 had no prognostic significance in colorectal or breast cancer (HR 1.52, P = 0.296; HR 1.23, P = 0.108). HER3+ is thus associated with poor survival in overall and in gastric cancer. The prognostic significance of HER3+ in other tumors is uncertain and deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - RuiXue Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100016, China
| | - Han Yan
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - PengFei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Li Wu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Teng Li
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bangwei Cao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.,Beijing Digestive Diseases Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
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30
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Osada T, Morse MA, Hobeika A, Diniz MA, Gwin WR, Hartman Z, Wei J, Guo H, Yang XY, Liu CX, Kaneko K, Broadwater G, Lyerly HK. Vaccination targeting human HER3 alters the phenotype of infiltrating T cells and responses to immune checkpoint inhibition. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1315495. [PMID: 28680745 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1315495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of human epidermal growth factor family member 3 (HER3), a critical heterodimerization partner with EGFR and HER2, promotes more aggressive biology in breast and other epithelial malignancies. As such, inhibiting HER3 could have broad applicability to the treatment of EGFR- and HER2-driven tumors. Although lack of a functional kinase domain limits the use of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, HER3 contains antigenic targets for T cells and antibodies. Using novel human HER3 transgenic mouse models of breast cancer, we demonstrate that immunization with recombinant adenoviral vectors encoding full length human HER3 (Ad-HER3-FL) induces HER3-specific T cells and antibodies, alters the T cell infiltrate in tumors, and influences responses to immune checkpoint inhibitions. Both preventative and therapeutic Ad-HER3-FL immunization delayed tumor growth but were associated with both intratumoral PD-1 expressing CD8+ T cells and regulatory CD4+ T cell infiltrates. Immune checkpoint inhibition with either anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies increased intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltration and eliminated tumor following preventive vaccination with Ad-HER3-FL vaccine. The combination of dual PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA4 blockade slowed the growth of tumor in response to Ad-HER3-FL in the therapeutic model. We conclude that HER3-targeting vaccines activate HER3-specific T cells and induce anti-HER3 specific antibodies, which alters the intratumoral T cell infiltrate and responses to immune checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Osada
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael A Morse
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy Hobeika
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marcio A Diniz
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William R Gwin
- Tumor Vaccine Group, Center for Translational Medicine in Women's Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zachary Hartman
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Junping Wei
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hongtao Guo
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiao-Yi Yang
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cong-Xiao Liu
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kensuke Kaneko
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gloria Broadwater
- Duke University, Division of Biostatistics Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - H Kim Lyerly
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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31
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Schneider S, Thurnher D, Kadletz L, Seemann R, Brunner M, Kotowski U, Schmid R, Lill C, Heiduschka G. Effects of neratinib and combination with irradiation and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer cells. Oral Dis 2016; 22:797-804. [PMID: 27476950 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still poor. Novel therapeutic approaches are of great interest to improve the effects of radiochemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib on HNSCC cell lines CAL27, SCC25 and FaDu as a single agent and in combination with irradiation and chemotherapy. METHODS Effects of neratinib were evaluated in HNSCC cell lines CAL27, SCC25 and FaDu. Effect on cell viability of neratinib and combination with cisplatin and irradiation was measured using CCK-8 assays and clonogenic assays. Western blot analysis was performed to distinguish the effect on epithelial growth factor receptor and HER2 expression. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS Growth inhibition was achieved in all cell lines, whereas combination of cisplatin and neratinib showed greater inhibition than each agent alone. Apoptosis was induced in all cell lines. Combination of neratinib with irradiation or cisplatin showed significantly increased apoptosis. In clonogenic assays, significant growth inhibition was observed in all investigated cell lines. CONCLUSION Neratinib, as a single agent or in combination with chemo-irradiation, may be a promising treatment option for patients with head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schneider
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - D Thurnher
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - L Kadletz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - R Seemann
- Department of Cranio-, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - U Kotowski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - R Schmid
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - C Lill
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - G Heiduschka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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Wang D, Qian G, Zhang H, Magliocca KR, Nannapaneni S, Amin ARMR, Rossi M, Patel M, El-Deiry M, Wadsworth JT, Chen Z, Khuri FR, Shin DM, Saba NF, Chen ZG. HER3 Targeting Sensitizes HNSCC to Cetuximab by Reducing HER3 Activity and HER2/HER3 Dimerization: Evidence from Cell Line and Patient-Derived Xenograft Models. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:677-686. [PMID: 27358485 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our previous work suggested that HER3 inhibition sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to EGFR inhibition with cetuximab. This study aimed to define the role of HER3 in cetuximab resistance and the antitumor mechanisms of EGFR/HER3 dual targeting in HNSCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We treated cetuximab-resistant HNSCC UMSCC1-C and parental UMSCC1-P cell lines with anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab, anti-HER3 antibody MM-121, and their combination. We assessed activities of HER2, HER3, and downstream signaling pathways by Western blotting and cell growth by sulforhodamine B (SRB) and colony formation assays. HER3-specific shRNA was used to confirm the role of HER3 in cetuximab response. The combined efficacy and alterations in biomarkers were evaluated in UMSCC1-C xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. RESULTS Cetuximab treatment induced HER3 activation and HER2/HER3 dimerization in HNSCC cell lines. Combined treatment with cetuximab and MM-121 blocked EGFR and HER3 activities and inhibited the PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways and HNSCC cell growth more effectively than each antibody alone. HER3 knockdown reduced HER2 activation and resensitized cells to cetuximab. Cetuximab-resistant xenografts and PDX models revealed greater efficacy of dual EGFR and HER3 inhibition compared with single antibodies. In PDX tissue samples, cetuximab induced HER3 expression and MM-121 reduced AKT activity. CONCLUSIONS Clinically relevant PDX models demonstrate that dual targeting of EGFR and HER3 is superior to EGFR targeting alone in HNSCC. Our study illustrates the upregulation of HER3 by cetuximab as one mechanism underlying resistance to EGFR inhibition in HNSCC, supporting further clinical investigations using multiple targeting strategies in patients who have failed cetuximab-based therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(3); 677-86. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Guoqing Qian
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hongzheng Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Sreenivas Nannapaneni
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - A R M Ruhul Amin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael Rossi
- Department of Radiation Oncology Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mihir Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark El-Deiry
- Department of Otolaryngology Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Zhengjia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory School of Public Health, Emory, University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Lakshmanan I, Seshacharyulu P, Haridas D, Rachagani S, Gupta S, Joshi S, Guda C, Yan Y, Jain M, Ganti AK, Ponnusamy MP, Batra SK. Novel HER3/MUC4 oncogenic signaling aggravates the tumorigenic phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:21085-99. [PMID: 26035354 PMCID: PMC4673252 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that MUC4 is involved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC). Here, we report that HER3/MUC4 interaction in HER2 low cells is critical in driving pancreatic tumorigenesis. Upon HER2 knockdown, we observed elevated expression of HER3 and MUC4 and their interactions, which was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and bioinformatics analyses. In paired human PC tissues, higher percentage of HER3 positivity (10/33, 30.3%; p = 0.001) was observed than HER2 (5/33, 15.1%; p = 0.031), which was further confirmed in spontaneous mice (KPC; KrasG12D; Trp53R172H/+; Pdx-Cre) tumors of different weeks. Mechanistically, increased phosphorylation of ERK and expression of PI3K and c-Myc were observed in HER2 knockdown cells, suggesting a positive role for HER3/MUC4 in HER2 low cells. Further, HER2 knockdown resulted in increased proliferation, motility and tumorigenicity of PC cells. Consistently, transient knockdown of HER3 by siRNA in HER2 knockdown cells led to decreased proliferation. These observations led us to conclude that HER3 interacts with MUC4 to promote proliferation in HER2 low PC cells. Further, deficiency of both HER2 and HER3 leads to decreased proliferation of PC cells. Hence targeting these newly identified HER3/MUC4 signals would improve the PC patients survival by intercepting MUC4 mediated oncogenic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Dhanya Haridas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Suprit Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Suhasini Joshi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ying Yan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Apar K Ganti
- Department of Medicine, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Le Clorennec C, Lazrek Y, Dubreuil O, Larbouret C, Poul MA, Mondon P, Melino G, Pèlegrin A, Chardès T. The anti-HER3 (ErbB3) therapeutic antibody 9F7-F11 induces HER3 ubiquitination and degradation in tumors through JNK1/2- dependent ITCH/AIP4 activation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:37013-37029. [PMID: 27203743 PMCID: PMC5095055 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We characterized the mechanism of action of the neuregulin-non-competitive anti-HER3 therapeutic antibody 9F7-F11 that blocks the PI3K/AKT pathway, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and regression of pancreatic and breast cancer in vivo. We found that 9F7-F11 induces rapid HER3 down-regulation. Specifically, 9F7-F11-induced HER3 ubiquitination and degradation in pancreatic, breast and prostate cancer cell lines was driven mainly by the itchy E3 ubiquitin ligase (ITCH/AIP4). Overexpression of the ITCH/AIP4 inhibitor N4BP1 or small-interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of ITCH/AIP4 inhibited HER3 ubiquitination/degradation and PI3K/AKT signaling blockade induced by 9F7-F11. Moreover, 9F7-F11-mediated JNK1/2 phosphorylation led to ITCH/AIP4 activation and recruitment to HER3 for receptor ubiquitination and degradation. ITCH/AIP4 activity was activated by the deubiquitinases USP8 and USP9X, as demonstrated by RNA interference. Taken together, our results suggest that 9F7-F11-induced HER3 ubiquitination and degradation in cancer cells mainly occurs through JNK1/2-dependent ITCH/AIP4 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Le Clorennec
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
| | - Yassamine Lazrek
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Millegen SA, Labège, F-31670, France
- Institut Pasteur de Guyane, BP 6010, 97306, Cayenne Cedex, France
| | - Olivier Dubreuil
- Millegen SA, Labège, F-31670, France
- GamaMabs Pharma SA, Centre Pierre Potier, ONCOPOLE, BP 50624, France
| | - Christel Larbouret
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
| | - Marie-Alix Poul
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
| | - Philippe Mondon
- Millegen SA, Labège, F-31670, France
- LFB Biotechnologies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Gerry Melino
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Instituto Dermopatico Dell'Immacolata, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” 00133 Rome, Italy
- Toxicology Unit, Medical Research Council, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom
| | - André Pèlegrin
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
| | - Thierry Chardès
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- INSERM, U1194 Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
- ICM, Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Montpellier, F-34298, France
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Sacco AG, Worden FP. Molecularly targeted therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer: a review of the ErbB family inhibitors. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:1927-43. [PMID: 27110122 PMCID: PMC4831599 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s93720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) present with locally advanced disease, which requires site-specific combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite aggressive therapy, survival outcomes remain poor, and treatment-related morbidity is not negligible. For patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, therapeutic options are further limited and prognosis is dismal. With this in mind, molecularly targeted therapy provides a promising approach to optimizing treatment efficacy while minimizing associated toxicity. The ErbB family of receptors (ie, epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], ErbB2/human epidermal growth factor receptor [HER]-2, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4/HER4) is known to contribute to oncogenic processes, such as cellular proliferation and survival. EGFR, specifically, is upregulated in more than 90% of HNSCC, has been implicated in radiation resistance, and correlates with poorer clinical outcomes. The central role of EGFR in the pathogenesis of HNSCC suggests that inhibition of this pathway represents an attractive treatment strategy. As a result, EGFR inhibition has been extensively studied, with the emergence of two classes of drug therapy: monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. While the monoclonal antibody cetuximab is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved EGFR inhibitor for the treatment of HNSCC, numerous investigational drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials. This paper will review the role of the ErbB family in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, as well as the evidence-based data for the use of ErbB family inhibition in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assuntina G Sacco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francis P Worden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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36
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Weng WH, Chen YT, Yu KJ, Chang YH, Chuang CK, Pang ST. Genetic alterations of HER genes in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2016; 11:2111-2116. [PMID: 26998131 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromophobe (ch) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the 3rd most common subtype of RCC and occurs in 5% of all RCCs. Although chRCC generally demonstrates more favorable outcomes compared with other subtypes of RCC, there is a 6-7% probability of tumor progression and metastasis in this disease. The subclassification of a more aggressive subtype of chRCC may be useful for the management of this cancer. The Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 [also known as human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2] gene has been reported to be important in chRCC. The present study aimed to further investigate the abnormalities of the HER family genes and their potential association with chRCC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on 11 chRCC tissue specimens, and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis was used to assess the results. The loss of one copy of the HER2 and HER4 genes was observed to be the major alteration of the tumor cells in all chRCC cases. Statistical data indicated that loss of the HER2 gene was strongly correlated with loss of the HER4 gene (P=0.019). The findings of previous studies were also combined for analysis, and were consistent with those of the present study. In addition, the amplification of HER1 was also strongly correlated with the amplification of HER4 (P=0.004). Furthermore, a high percentage of genetic structural rearrangements was observed in HER3 genes, which was significantly associated with amplification of HER2 (P=0.005). Certain alterations in the HER gene family were also noted as a phenomenom in chRCC. Therefore, the characterization of the underlying aberrant functions of HER genes may be of interest for additional studies in the context of using HER genes to distinguish between RCC subtypes in order to establish improved treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Hui Weng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ying Tzu Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kai Jie Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ying Hsu Chang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cheng Keng Chuang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - See Tong Pang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan, R.O.C
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37
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Rysman B, Mouawad F, Gros A, Lansiaux A, Chevalier D, Meignan S. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Head Neck 2016; 38 Suppl 1:E2412-8. [PMID: 26835877 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family. The main characteristic of HER3 is that it does not possess tyrosine kinase activity, unlike other HERs. The role of HER3 in tumorigenesis has now been recognized, particularly in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Despite conflicting studies, HER3 was found to be overexpressed in HNSCC samples, and correlates with disease progression and poor survival, especially when it is coexpressed with other HERs. HER3 is a significant factor in HNSCC treatment resistance. Indeed, HER3 is a major mechanism described for cetuximab resistance because of modification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) internalization and by phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway activation. HER3 also affects resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and thereby promotes treatment escape and radiotherapy resistance by activation of the survival signaling pathway. To counteract this, pharmacologic inhibitors of HER3 are currently in development and could significantly improve HNSCC treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2412-E2418, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte Rysman
- ENT and Head and Neck Surgery Department, Huriez Hospital, University of Lille, Lille, France.,Tumorigenesis and Resistance to Treatment Unit, Centre Oscar Lambret, Inserm U908, IRCL, Lille, France
| | - François Mouawad
- ENT and Head and Neck Surgery Department, Huriez Hospital, University of Lille, Lille, France.,Tumorigenesis and Resistance to Treatment Unit, Centre Oscar Lambret, Inserm U908, IRCL, Lille, France
| | - Abigaëlle Gros
- Tumorigenesis and Resistance to Treatment Unit, Centre Oscar Lambret, Inserm U908, IRCL, Lille, France
| | - Amélie Lansiaux
- Tumorigenesis and Resistance to Treatment Unit, Centre Oscar Lambret, Inserm U908, IRCL, Lille, France
| | - Dominique Chevalier
- ENT and Head and Neck Surgery Department, Huriez Hospital, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Samuel Meignan
- Tumorigenesis and Resistance to Treatment Unit, Centre Oscar Lambret, Inserm U908, IRCL, Lille, France
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Honarmand M, Saravani S, Kamyab N, Jahantigh M, Torabi Parizi M. Immunohistochemical Assessment of HER3 Expression in Odontogenic Cysts. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2016; 17:e17278. [PMID: 26734469 PMCID: PMC4698317 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.17278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: It has been demonstrated that HER3 plays an important role in some human cancers and the HER3 expression is associated with worse survival in solid tumors. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare HER3 expression in epithelial lining of radicular cysts (RCs), dentigerous cysts (DCs) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study, which assessed all 57 paraffin blocks of RCs, DCs and OKCs (21 RCs, 16 DCs, 20 OKC) from pathological archive of Dentistry College of Zahedan, Iran. The HER3 expression in cytoplasm and membrane was examined by immunohistochemical method. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS16 by ANOVA and Chi-square. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The HER3 expression had positive results in 52.4% of OKC, 50% of DC and only 20% of RC samples. There was a significant difference between HER3 expression in OKCs and RCs. Conclusions: The HER3 expression in developmental odontogenic cysts was higher than that in inflammatory odontogenic cysts. The higher rate of HER3 expression in OKC may justify inherent growth potential, stimulation-independent proliferation capability, invasive growth and high recurrence rate of the cyst accepted today as a tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieh Honarmand
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Centre, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran
| | - Shirin Saravani
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Shirin Saravani, Oral and Dental Disease Research Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran. Tel: +98-5433441814, Fax: +98-5433414003, E-mail:
| | - Nazanin Kamyab
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, IR Iran
| | - Mehdi Jahantigh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran
| | - Molouk Torabi Parizi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
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Qian G, Jiang N, Wang D, Newman S, Kim S, Chen Z, Garcia G, MacBeath G, Shin DM, Khuri FR, Chen ZG, Saba NF. Heregulin and HER3 are prognostic biomarkers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer 2015. [PMID: 26195293 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.29549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although heregulin and human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) are frequently expressed at high levels in patients with head and neck cancer, their prognostic value remains unclear. The authors explored the prognostic significance of heregulin/HER3 expression in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), taking into account other HER family members as well as p16 status. METHODS Ninety-six primary tumor specimens from patients with OPSCC were retrospectively collected and analyzed for heregulin messenger RNA (mRNA) using in situ hybridization and for HER3, epidermal growth factor receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) using quantitative immunohistochemistry. Heregulin and HER3 mRNA levels were also examined among different tumor types using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. RESULTS High heregulin mRNA (> the median) correlated significantly with poor overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 8.48; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.17-33.17 [P =.002]) but not disease-free survival (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.64-3.65 [P =.341]) in patients with OPSCC. Heregulin mRNA correlated negatively with OS in both patients with p16-positive (P =.049) and p16-negative (P =.091) OPSCC on univariate analysis. High HER3 (> the median) also correlated with poor OS (HR, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.47-14.90 [P =.009]) on multivariate analysis. Epidermal growth factor receptor levels independently correlated with disease-free survival (P =.025) and inversely correlated with p16 status (P =.012). In addition, The Cancer Genome Atlas data demonstrated that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma exhibits higher heregulin expression compared with other solid tumor types examined. CONCLUSIONS High heregulin mRNA and high HER3 protein levels were found to independently correlate with poor OS in patients with OPSCC. These data support targeting HER3 in patients with heregulin-high OPSCC and warrant further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Qian
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ning Jiang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Scott Newman
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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40
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Zhang J, Saba NF, Chen GZ, Shin DM. Targeting HER (ERBB) signaling in head and neck cancer: An essential update. Mol Aspects Med 2015; 45:74-86. [PMID: 26163475 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
HNC (head and neck cancer) remains the 6th most common carcinoma worldwide. The suboptimal survival and toxicities observed with conventional approaches warrant exploration of novel therapeutic strategies such as targeted therapies. Although targeting EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) with cetuximab demonstrated clinical promise, HER (human epidermal growth factor receptor) or ERBB (erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog) targeted therapy in HNC has overall been suboptimal to date in clinical settings. Overcoming the resistance as well as identifying new strategies therefore remains a significant challenge. In this review, we will discuss the emerging roles of HER members besides EGFR. A comprehensive "three-dimensional" view of HER signaling pathway from the importance of EGFR nuclear translocation to our maturing concept of receptors' "spatial regulation", as well as the interdependence and interaction among different HER members will also be addressed to complete an essential update of HER signaling in HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Georgia Zhuo Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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41
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Humtsoe JO, Pham E, Louie RJ, Chan DA, Kramer RH. ErbB3 upregulation by the HNSCC 3D microenvironment modulates cell survival and growth. Oncogene 2015; 35:1554-64. [PMID: 26073080 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCC) present as dense epithelioid three-dimensional (3D) tumor nests that can mediate signals via the human epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) tyrosine kinase family to promote intratumoral survival and growth. We examined the role of the tumor microenvironment on ErbB receptor family expression and found that the status of intercellular organization altered the receptor profile. We showed that HNSCC cells forced into tumor island-like 3D aggregates strongly upregulated ErbB3 at the level of transcription. Not only was the elevated ErbB3 responsive to HRG-β1-induced enhanced signaling mechanism, but also analysis by siRNA-knockdown and kinase inhibitor strategies revealed that the ErbB3/AKT signaling pathway was sufficient to enhance tumor cell survival and growth potential. Elevated ErbB3 expression in the high-density 3D culture system was strongly associated with hypoxia-induced HIF-1α. Hypoxia-regulated ErbB3 expression was mediated by the HIF-1α-binding consensus sequence in the ErbB3 proximal promoter. The findings show that the local 3D tumor microenvironment can trigger reprograming and switching of ErbB family members and thereby influence ErbB3-driven tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O Humtsoe
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Pham
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R J Louie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D A Chan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R H Kramer
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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42
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Preclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of RG7116: a novel humanized, glycoengineered anti-HER3 antibody. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 75:837-50. [PMID: 25702049 PMCID: PMC4365277 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-015-2697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose RG7116 is a novel anti-HER3 therapeutic antibody that inhibits HER3 signalling and induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of tumor cells due to a glycoengineered antibody Fc moiety. We investigated the efficacy and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of HER3 signal inhibition by RG7116 in a murine xenograft model of human head and neck cancer. Methods SCID-beige mice bearing FaDu cells were treated with RG7116 at a weekly dose of 0.3–10 mg/kg, and tumor growth control and modulation of selected proteins (HER3 and AKT) were examined. Results Complete tumor stasis up to Day 46 was observed at a dose >3 mg/kg, and this dose down-modulated membrane HER3 expression and inhibited HER3 and AKT phosphorylation. Systemic RG7116 exposure was greater than dose-proportional and total clearance declined with increasing dose, indicating that RG7116 elimination is target-mediated. This is consistent with the better efficacy, and the HER3 and pAKT inhibition, that was observed at doses >1 mg/kg. Tumor regrowth occurred from Day 46 onwards and was associated with HER1 and HER2 upregulation, indicating the activation of alternative HER escape pathways. Modulation of HER3 and phospho-HER3 was also demonstrated in the skin and mucosa of an RG7116-treated cynomolgus monkey, suggesting that these may be useful surrogate tissues for monitoring RG7116 activity. Conclusions These data confirm the promising efficacy of RG7116 and highlight the value of assessing the PK behavior of the antibody and measuring target protein modulation as a marker of biological activity. Clinical development of RG7116 has now begun, and phase I trials are ongoing.
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43
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Bowles DW, McDermott JD, Jimeno A. Novel treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: preclinical identification and clinical investigation. Future Oncol 2015; 10:1065-80. [PMID: 24941990 DOI: 10.2217/fon.14.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer worldwide. Classically, it is a disease related to tobacco and alcohol use; an increasing number of patients are being diagnosed with HNSCC caused by infection with the human papillomavirus. New deep-sequencing techniques have confirmed the importance of p53 and EGF receptor in HNSCC development, and have identified pathways of critical importance, such as PI3K/mTOR and NOTCH. Increasing knowledge of key molecular features has lead to new therapeutic avenues for HNSCC. Novel therapies under investigation in HNSCC include antibody and small molecule inhibitors of EGF receptor and its family members, PI3K inhibitors, antiangiogenic agents, immunotherapies and agents interacting with early developmental pathways such as Hedgehog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Bowles
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, USA
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44
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Zhang Y, Zhang JX, Huang LL, He LJ, Liao YJ, Lai YR, Deng HX, Tian XP, Kung HF, Xie D, Zhu SL. Low expression of BARX2 in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma correlates with metastasis and predicts poor prognosis. Hepatol Res 2015; 45:228-37. [PMID: 24716715 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM The homeobox gene Barx2 was recently identified as a regulator of ovarian and breast cancer; however, the expression level of BARX2 and its significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. METHODS Protein and mRNA expression levels of Barx2 were examined using Western blotting and real-time PCR respectively, in paired HCC tissue and matched adjacent non-cancerous tissue from 12 patients. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were also detected in relation to BARX2 expression. Lastly, immunohistochemistry for BARX2 was also performed on a tissue microarray containing 231 HCC tissue samples. RESULTS We observed that BARX2 expression was lower in HCC tissues compared to matching adjacent non-cancerous tissue. The low expression level of BARX2 was significantly correlated with metrics of tumor size, tumor differentiation, clinical stage, metastasis and relapse. Furthermore, the patients with low BARX2 expression had adverse survival outcomes. Importantly, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low BARX2 expression was an independent marker for lower overall survival (P = 0.007). Moreover, a significant negative relationship was observed between the expression of BARX2 and markers of EMT. CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence that the low expression level of BARX2 in HCC is significantly correlated with tumor metastasis, and that BARX2 may be an independent prognostic biomarker for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou
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45
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Zhao Z, Li R, Sha S, Wang Q, Mao W, Liu T. Targeting HER3 with miR-450b-3p suppresses breast cancer cells proliferation. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:1404-12. [PMID: 25046105 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.29923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In breast cancer cells, heterodimerization of HER2 and HER3 plays important and dominant roles in the functionality and transformation of HER-mediated pathways, in particular the PI3K/Akt survival pathway. HER3 was considered as a major signaling hub in HER2-amplified cancers. Inhibition of HER3 expression may therefore represent a rational therapeutic approach to breast cancers where HER2/HER3-mediated signaling plays a role in tumorigenesis and progression. miRNAs exerts important roles in regulating gene expressions by binding to and repressing target mRNAs. Here we reported that miRNA-450b-3p inhibits HER3 expression by directly targeting 3' UTR of HER3 mRNA and represses the downstream signal transductions of HER family. Overexpression of miRNA-450b-3p in SKBR3 cells inhibits cells clonogenic potential and enhances their sensitivity to trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the HER2 receptor, or doxorubicin through repressing proliferative signal pathways mediated by HER3/HER2/PI3K/AKT. Furthermore, we found that breast cancer patients with tumors that demonstrating upregulated HER3 (> 2-fold) and downregulated miR-450b-3p (> 2-fold) expressions compared with the paired adjacent non-tumorous tissues showed significantly poorer overall survival (P<0.05). Our study identified miRNA-450b-3p as a new tumor repressor and also provided some evidences suggesting that downregulation of miR-450b-3p expression with concurrent overexpression of HER3 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for poor overall survival in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhao
- Department of Oncology; The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College; Wuxi, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Hematology; the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province; Kunming, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Sha Sha
- Department of Oncology; The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College; Wuxi, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Oncology; The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College; Wuxi, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Weidong Mao
- Department of Oncology; The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College; Wuxi, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Oncology; The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College; Wuxi, Jiangsu, PR China
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Kol A, Terwisscha van Scheltinga AG, Timmer-Bosscha H, Lamberts LE, Bensch F, de Vries EG, Schröder CP. HER3, serious partner in crime. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 143:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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47
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Jiang N, Wang D, Hu Z, Shin HJC, Qian G, Rahman MA, Zhang H, Amin ARMR, Nannapaneni S, Wang X, Chen Z, Garcia G, MacBeath G, Shin DM, Khuri FR, Ma J, Chen ZG, Saba NF. Combination of anti-HER3 antibody MM-121/SAR256212 and cetuximab inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:1826-36. [PMID: 24748655 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab is the only approved targeted agent for treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Yet resistance to cetuximab has hindered its activity in this disease. Intrinsic or compensatory HER3 signaling may contribute to cetuximab resistance. To investigate the therapeutic benefit of combining MM-121/SAR256212, an anti-HER3 monoclonal antibody, with cetuximab in HNSCC, we initially screened 12 HNSCC cell lines for total and phosphorylated levels of the four HER receptors. We also investigated the combination of MM-121 with cetuximab in preclinical models of HNSCC. Our results revealed that HER3 is widely expressed and activated in HNSCC cell lines. MM-121 strongly inhibited phosphorylation of HER3 and AKT. When combined with cetuximab, MM-121 exerted a more potent antitumor activity through simultaneously inhibiting the activation of HER3 and EGFR and consequently the downstream PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways in vitro. Both high and low doses of MM-121 in combination with cetuximab significantly suppressed tumor growth in xenograft models and inhibited activations of HER3, EGFR, AKT, and ERK in vivo. Our work is the first report on this new combination in HNSCC and supports the concept that HER3 inhibition may play an important role in future therapy of HNSCC. Our results open the door for further mechanistic studies to better understand the role of HER3 in resistance to EGFR inhibitors in HNSCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy
- Cell Growth Processes/drug effects
- Cell Growth Processes/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cetuximab
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Random Allocation
- Receptor, ErbB-3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, ErbB-3/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Authors' Affiliations: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Zhongliang Hu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | | | - Guoqing Qian
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Mohammad Aminur Rahman
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Hongzheng Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - A R M Ruhul Amin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Sreenivas Nannapaneni
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Gavin MacBeath
- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Jun Ma
- Authors' Affiliations: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine;
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine;
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48
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Li C, Brand TM, Iida M, Huang S, Armstrong EA, van der Kogel A, Wheeler DL. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) blockade with U3-1287/AMG888 enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in lung and head and neck carcinoma. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2013; 16:79-92. [PMID: 23998444 PMCID: PMC3901945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
HER3 is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. In the present study, we investigated the capacity of the HER3 blocking antibody, U3-1287/AMG888, to modulate the in vitro and in vivo radiation response of human squamous cell carcinomas of the lung and head and neck. We screened a battery of cell lines from these tumors for HER3 expression and demonstrated that all cell lines screened exhibited expression of HER3. Importantly, U3-1287/AMG888 treatment could block both basal HER3 activity and radiation induced HER3 activation. Proliferation assays indicated that HER3 blockade could decrease the proliferation of both HNSCC cell line SCC6 and NSCLC cell line H226. Further, we demonstrated that U3-1287/AMG888 can sensitize cells to radiation in clonogenic survival assays, in addition to increasing DNA damage as detected via λ-H2AX immunofluorescence. To determine if U3-1287/AMG888 could enhance radiation sensitivity in vivo we performed tumor growth delay experiments using SCC6, SCC1483, and H226 xenografts. The results of these experiments indicated that the combination of U3-1287/AMG888 and radiation could decrease tumor growth in studies using single or fractionated doses of radiation. Analysis of HER3 expression in tumor samples indicated that radiation treatment activated HER3 in vivo and that U3-1287/AMG888 could abrogate this activation. Immunohistochemistry analysis of SCC6 tumors treated with both U3-1287/AMG888 and a single dose of radiation demonstrated that various cell survival and proliferation markers could be reduced. Collectively our findings suggest that U3-1287/AMG888 in combination with radiation has an impact on cell and tumor growth by increasing DNA damage and cell death. These findings suggest that HER3 may play an important role in response to radiation therapy and blocking its activity in combination with radiation may be of therapeutic benefit in human tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing
- Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
- Cell Death/drug effects
- Cell Death/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cell Survival/genetics
- DNA Damage
- Enzyme Induction/drug effects
- Enzyme Induction/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/enzymology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/enzymology
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Receptor, ErbB-3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, ErbB-3/biosynthesis
- Receptor, ErbB-3/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunrong Li
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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49
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Anti-HER3 domain 1 and 3 antibodies reduce tumor growth by hindering HER2/HER3 dimerization and AKT-induced MDM2, XIAP, and FoxO1 phosphorylation. Neoplasia 2013; 15:335-47. [PMID: 23479511 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockade of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) and of the downstream phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway is a prerequisite for overcoming drug resistance and to develop novel treatments for cancers that are not eligible for the currently approved targeted therapies. To this end, we generated specific antibodies (Abs) against domain 1 (D1) and domain 3 (D3) of HER3 that recognize epitopes that do not overlap with the neuregulin-binding site. The fully human H4B-121 Ab and the mouse monoclonal Abs 16D3-C1 and 9F7-F11 inhibited tumor growth in nude mice xenografted with epidermoid, pancreatic, or triple-negative breast cancer cells. The combination of one anti-HER3 Ab and trastuzumab improved tumor growth inhibition in mice xenografted with HER2(low) cancer cell lines, for which trastuzumab alone shows no or moderate efficiency. Ab-induced disruption of tumor growth was associated with G1 cell cycle arrest, proliferation inhibition, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Anti-HER3 Abs blocked HER2/HER3 heterodimerization and HER3 phosphorylation at the cell membrane, leading to inhibition of phosphorylation of the downstream AKT targets murine double minute 2, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, and forkhead box O1. This study demonstrates that anti-HER3 D1 and D3 Abs could represent a new option for immunotherapy of pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancers.
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50
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Khademi B, Khademi B, Ghaderi A, Hosseini SF, Niknejad N. Early Detection of Serum Levels of HER-2 in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY 2013; 25:161-8. [PMID: 24303437 PMCID: PMC3846229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The presence of HER-2 has been shown to be a prognostic factor in many kinds of cancers, but its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not still defined. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the role of HER-2 in HNSCC and its correlation with various clinicopathologic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 17 healthy volunteers and 69 patients with HNSCC before curative surgery. The HER-2 level was determined in each sample sandwich by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and the Duncan procedure. RESULTS Mean HER-2 serum levels were higher in patients with HNSCC compared with healthy controls, although the difference was not statistically significant (3.85ng/ml vs. 3.75ng/ml; P>0.05). The mean serum level of HER-2 in patients with was higher in patients with lymph node involvement, metastasis, invasion, tumor size ≥2 cm, and stage>1, although the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). DISCUSSION Mean HER-2 serum levels in patients with tumor size T3 and higher were higher than those from patients in stage T1 and T2.over expression of these receptor translate into disease progression, growth and invasiveness, with the increase serum HER-2 levels in such patients offering some support for this theory. CONCLUSION In this study the mean HER-2 serum level in patients with HNSCC was found to be greater in comparison with the healthy control group, although the difference was statistically insignificant. From the analysis of the results of the current study we have come to the conclusion that by increasing sample size the rising of the serum HER-2 level in patients with HNSCC can be meaningful. Apart from this, the role of HER-2 as a tumor marker in patients with HNSCC is still controversial and needs further studies to clarify the significance of this biomarker for early detection or screening for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijan Khademi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shira, Iran.
| | - Behzad Khademi
- Department of ophthalmology,Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
| | - Abbas Ghaderi
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shira, Iran.
| | - Seyd Fakhroddin Hosseini
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shira, Iran.
| | - Nika Niknejad
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shira, Iran.
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