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Estrogen receptor-1 is a key regulator of HIV-1 latency that imparts gender-specific restrictions on the latent reservoir. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E7795-E7804. [PMID: 30061382 PMCID: PMC6099847 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803468115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms leading to the creation and maintenance of the latent HIV reservoir remain incompletely understood. Unbiased shRNA screens showed that the estrogen receptor acts as a potent repressor of proviral reactivation in T cells. Antagonists of ESR-1 activate latent HIV-1 proviruses while agonists, including β-estradiol, potently block HIV reactivation. Using a well-matched set of male and female donors, we found that ESR-1 plays an important role in regulating HIV transcription in both sexes. However, women are much more responsive to estrogen and appear to harbor smaller inducible RNA reservoirs. Accounting for the impact of estrogen on HIV viral reservoirs will therefore be critical for devising curative therapies for women, a group representing 51% of global HIV infections. Unbiased shRNA library screens revealed that the estrogen receptor-1 (ESR-1) is a key factor regulating HIV-1 latency. In both Jurkat T cells and a Th17 primary cell model for HIV-1 latency, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs, i.e., fulvestrant, raloxifene, and tamoxifen) are weak proviral activators and sensitize cells to latency-reversing agents (LRAs) including low doses of TNF-α (an NF-κB inducer), the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat (soruberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA), and IL-15. To probe the physiologic relevance of these observations, leukapheresis samples from a cohort of 12 well-matched reproductive-age women and men on fully suppressive antiretroviral therapy were evaluated by an assay measuring the production of spliced envelope (env) mRNA (the EDITS assay) by next-generation sequencing. The cells were activated by T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, IL-15, or SAHA in the presence of either β-estradiol or an SERM. β-Estradiol potently inhibited TCR activation of HIV-1 transcription, while SERMs enhanced the activity of most LRAs. Although both sexes responded to SERMs and β-estradiol, females showed much higher levels of inhibition in response to the hormone and higher reactivity in response to ESR-1 modulators than males. Importantly, the total inducible RNA reservoir, as measured by the EDITS assay, was significantly smaller in the women than in the men. We conclude that concurrent exposure to estrogen is likely to limit the efficacy of viral emergence from latency and that ESR-1 is a pharmacologically attractive target that can be exploited in the design of therapeutic strategies for latency reversal.
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Nodes-and-connections RNAi knockdown screening: identification of a signaling molecule network involved in fulvestrant action and breast cancer prognosis. Oncogenesis 2015; 4:e172. [PMID: 26479444 PMCID: PMC4632093 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2015.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown screening of cancer cell cultures is an effective approach to predict drug targets or therapeutic/prognostic biomarkers, interactions among identified targets often remain obscure. Here, we introduce the nodes-and-connections RNAi knockdown screening that generates a map of target interactions through systematic iterations of in silico prediction of targets and their experimental validation. An initial RNAi knockdown screening of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells targeting 6560 proteins identified four signaling molecules required for their fulvestrant-induced apoptosis. Signaling molecules physically or functionally interacting with these four primary node targets were computationally predicted and experimentally validated, resulting in identification of four second-generation nodes. Three rounds of further iterations of the prediction–validation cycle generated third, fourth and fifth generation of nodes, completing a 19-node interaction map that contained three predicted nodes but without experimental validation because of technical limitations. The interaction map involved all three members of the death-associated protein kinases (DAPKs) as well as their upstream and downstream signaling molecules (calmodulins and myosin light chain kinases), suggesting that DAPKs play critical roles in the cytocidal action of fulvestrant. The in silico Kaplan–Meier analysis of previously reported human breast cancer cohorts demonstrated significant prognostic predictive power for five of the experimentally validated nodes and for three of the prediction-only nodes. Immunohistochemical studies on the expression of 10 nodal proteins in human breast cancer tissues not only supported their prognostic prediction power but also provided statistically significant evidence of their synchronized expression, implying functional interactions among these nodal proteins. Thus, the Nodes-and-Connections approach to RNAi knockdown screening yields biologically meaningful outcomes by taking advantage of the existing knowledge of the physical and functional interactions between the predicted target genes. The resulting interaction maps provide useful information on signaling pathways cooperatively involved in clinically important features of the malignant cells, such as drug resistance.
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Di Leva G, Cheung DG, Croce CM. miRNA clusters as therapeutic targets for hormone-resistant breast cancer. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2015; 10:607-617. [PMID: 27721895 PMCID: PMC5053393 DOI: 10.1586/17446651.2015.1099430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small non coding RNAs that typically inhibit the translation and stability of messenger RNAs, controlling genes involved in cellular processes such as inflammation, cell cycle regulation, stress response, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Not surprisingly, microRNAs are also aberrantly expressed in cancer and promote tumorigenesis by disrupting these vital cellular functions. In this review, we first broadly summarize the role of microRNAs in breast cancer and Estrogen Receptor alpha signaling. Then we focus on what is currently known about the role of microRNAs in anti-hormonal therapy or resistance to endocrine agents. Specifically, we will discuss key miRNAs involved in tamoxifen (miR-221/222, 181, 101, 519a, 301, 375, 342, 451, and the let-7 family), fulvestrant (miR-221/222, miR-200 family), and aromatase inhibitor (miR-128 and the let-7 family) resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianpiero Di Leva
- Department of Molecular Virology Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Douglas G Cheung
- Department of Molecular Virology Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Molecular Virology Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Yeh WL, Lin HY, Wu HM, Chen DR. Combination treatment of tamoxifen with risperidone in breast cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98805. [PMID: 24886861 PMCID: PMC4041865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen has long been used and still is the most commonly used endocrine therapy for treatment of both early and advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in pre- and post-menopause women. Tamoxifen exerts its cytotoxic effect primarily through cytostasis which is associated with the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Apoptotic activity can also be exerted by tamoxifen which involves cleavage of caspase 9, caspase 7, caspase 3, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak have also been observed. In addition, stress response protein of GRP 94 and GRP 78 have also been induced by tamoxifen in our study. However, side effects occur during tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer patients. Researching into combination regimen of tamoxifen and drug(s) that relieves tamoxifen-induced hot flushes is important, because drug interactions may decrease tamoxifen efficacy. Risperidone has been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating hot flushes on women with hormonal variations. In this present study, we demonstrated that combination of tamoxifen with risperidone did not interfered tamoxifen-induced cytotoxic effects in both in vitro and in vivo models, while fluoxetine abrogated the effects of tamoxifen. This is the first paper suggesting the possibility of combination treatment of tamoxifen with risperidone in breast cancer patients, providing a conceivable resolution of tamoxifen-induced side effects without interfering the efficacy of tamoxifen against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lan Yeh
- Department of Cell and Tissue Engineering, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (DRC); (WLY)
| | - Hui-Yi Lin
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ming Wu
- Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Dar-Ren Chen
- Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (DRC); (WLY)
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Wong PP, Yeoh CC, Ahmad AS, Chelala C, Gillett C, Speirs V, Jones JL, Hurst HC. Identification of MAGEA antigens as causal players in the development of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. Oncogene 2014; 33:4579-88. [PMID: 24662835 PMCID: PMC4162461 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The antiestrogen tamoxifen is a well-tolerated, effective treatment for estrogen receptor-α-positive (ER+) breast cancer, but development of resistance eventually limits its use. Here we show that expression of MAGEA2, and related members of this cancer-testis antigen family, is upregulated in tamoxifen-resistant tumor cells. Expression of MAGEA2 in tumor lines grown in vitro or as xenografts led to continued proliferation in the presence of tamoxifen. At the molecular level, we demonstrate that MAGEA2 protein localizes to the nucleus and forms complexes with p53 and ERα, resulting in repression of the p53 pathway but increased ER-dependent signaling. In a series of ER+, tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients, we show a highly significant (P=0.006) association between MAGEA (melanoma-associated antigen) expression and reduced overall survival, confirming the clinical significance of our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-P Wong
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - C C Yeoh
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - A S Ahmad
- Center for Epidemiology Mathematics and Statistics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - C Chelala
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - C Gillett
- Breast Pathology Research Group, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, UK
| | - V Speirs
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - J L Jones
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - H C Hurst
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Nandhakumar E, Purushothaman A, Sachdanandam P. Protective effect of Shemamruthaa on lipids anomalies in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma-bearing rats. Med Chem Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-014-0921-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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McCloy RA, Shelley EJ, Roberts CG, Boslem E, Biden TJ, Nicholson RI, Gee JM, Sutherland RL, Musgrove EA, Burgess A, Butt AJ. Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress induction by the plant toxin, persin, in overcoming resistance to the apoptotic effects of tamoxifen in human breast cancer cells. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:3034-41. [PMID: 24178758 PMCID: PMC3859954 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Persin is a plant toxin that displays synergistic cytotoxicity with tamoxifen in human breast cancer cell lines. Here, we examined the ability of persin to circumvent tamoxifen resistance and delineated the intracellular signalling pathways involved. Methods: The induction of apoptosis in tamoxifen-resistant and -sensitive breast cancer cells was measured by flow cytometry following treatment with persin±tamoxifen. Markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) were analysed following treatment, and their causal role in mediating persin-induced apoptosis was determined using chemical inhibitors and RNA interference. Results: Cells that were resistant to an apoptotic concentration of tamoxifen maintained an apoptotic response to persin. Persin-induced apoptosis was associated with an increase in markers of ERS, that is, CHOP expression and XBP-1 splicing and was decreased by CHOP siRNA. The CASP-4 inhibitor Z-YVAD-FMK markedly inhibited persin-induced apoptosis in both tamoxifen-sensitive and -resistant cells. Conclusion: The cytotoxic effects of persin are CASP-4 dependent and mediated by CHOP-dependent and -independent ERS signalling cascades. Increased ERS signalling contributes to persin-induced reversal of tamoxifen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A McCloy
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
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Yeh WL, Shioda K, Coser KR, Rivizzigno D, McSweeney KR, Shioda T. Fulvestrant-induced cell death and proteasomal degradation of estrogen receptor α protein in MCF-7 cells require the CSK c-Src tyrosine kinase. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60889. [PMID: 23593342 PMCID: PMC3617152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fulvestrant is a representative pure antiestrogen and a Selective Estrogen Receptor Down-regulator (SERD). In contrast to the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) such as 4-hydroxytamoxifen that bind to estrogen receptor α (ERα) as antagonists or partial agonists, fulvestrant causes proteasomal degradation of ERα protein, shutting down the estrogen signaling to induce proliferation arrest and apoptosis of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. We performed genome-wide RNAi knockdown screenings for protein kinases required for fulvestrant-induced apoptosis of the MCF-7 estrogen-dependent human breast caner cells and identified the c-Src tyrosine kinase (CSK), a negative regulator of the oncoprotein c-Src and related protein tyrosine kinases, as one of the necessary molecules. Whereas RNAi knockdown of CSK in MCF-7 cells by shRNA-expressing lentiviruses strongly suppressed fulvestrant-induced cell death, CSK knockdown did not affect cytocidal actions of 4-hydroxytamoxifen or paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent. In the absence of CSK, fulvestrant-induced proteasomal degradation of ERα protein was suppressed in both MCF-7 and T47D estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells whereas the TP53-mutated T47D cells were resistant to the cytocidal action of fulvestrant in the presence or absence of CSK. MCF-7 cell sensitivities to fulvestrant-induced cell death or ERα protein degradation was not affected by small-molecular-weight inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase activity of c-Src, suggesting possible involvement of other signaling molecules in CSK-dependent MCF-7 cell death induced by fulvestrant. Our observations suggest the importance of CSK in the determination of cellular sensitivity to the cytocidal action of fulvestrant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lan Yeh
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Keiko Shioda
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kathryn R. Coser
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Danielle Rivizzigno
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kristen R. McSweeney
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Toshi Shioda
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Roberts CG, Millar EKA, O'Toole SA, McNeil CM, Lehrbach GM, Pinese M, Tobelmann P, McCloy RA, Musgrove EA, Sutherland RL, Butt AJ. Identification of PUMA as an estrogen target gene that mediates the apoptotic response to tamoxifen in human breast cancer cells and predicts patient outcome and tamoxifen responsiveness in breast cancer. Oncogene 2011; 30:3186-97. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Estradiol stabilizes the 105-kDa phospho-form of the adhesion docking protein NEDD9 and suppresses NEDD9-dependent cell spreading in breast cancer cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2011; 1813:340-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2010.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Llaverias G, Danilo C, Mercier I, Daumer K, Capozza F, Williams TM, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP, Frank PG. Role of cholesterol in the development and progression of breast cancer. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2010; 178:402-12. [PMID: 21224077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 08/12/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diet and obesity are important risk factors for cancer development. Many studies have suggested an important role for several dietary nutrients in the progression and development of breast cancer. However, few studies have specifically addressed the role of components of a Western diet as important factors involved in breast cancer initiation and progression. The present study examined the role of cholesterol in the regulation of tumor progression in a mouse model of mammary tumor formation. The results suggest that cholesterol accelerates and enhances tumor formation. In addition, tumors were more aggressive, and tumor angiogenesis was enhanced. Metabolism of cholesterol was also examined in this mouse model. It was observed that plasma cholesterol levels were reduced during tumor development but not prior to its initiation. These data provide new evidence for an increased utilization of cholesterol by tumors and for its role in tumor formation. Taken together, these results imply that an increase in plasma cholesterol levels accelerates the development of tumors and exacerbates their aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Llaverias
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA
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Fernández-Ramires R, Solé X, De Cecco L, Llort G, Cazorla A, Bonifaci N, Garcia MJ, Caldés T, Blanco I, Gariboldi M, Pierotti MA, Pujana MA, Benítez J, Osorio A. Gene expression profiling integrated into network modelling reveals heterogeneity in the mechanisms of BRCA1 tumorigenesis. Br J Cancer 2009; 101:1469-80. [PMID: 19826428 PMCID: PMC2768459 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene expression profiling has distinguished sporadic breast tumour classes with genetic and clinical differences. Less is known about the molecular classification of familial breast tumours, which are generally considered to be less heterogeneous. Here, we describe molecular signatures that define BRCA1 subclasses depending on the expression of the gene encoding for oestrogen receptor, ESR1. METHODS For this purpose, we have used the Oncochip v2, a cancer-related cDNA microarray to analyze 14 BRCA1-associated breast tumours. RESULTS Signatures were found to be molecularly associated with different biological processes and transcriptional regulatory programs. The signature of ESR1-positive tumours was mainly linked to cell proliferation and regulated by ER, whereas the signature of ESR1-negative tumours was mainly linked to the immune response and possibly regulated by transcription factors of the REL/NFkappaB family. These signatures were then verified in an independent series of familial and sporadic breast tumours, which revealed a possible prognostic value for each subclass. Over-expression of immune response genes seems to be a common feature of ER-negative sporadic and familial breast cancer and may be associated with good prognosis. Interestingly, the ESR1-negative tumours were substratified into two groups presenting slight differences in the magnitude of the expression of immune response transcripts and REL/NFkappaB transcription factors, which could be dependent on the type of BRCA1 germline mutation. CONCLUSION This study reveals the molecular complexity of BRCA1 breast tumours, which are found to display similarities to sporadic tumours, and suggests possible prognostic implications.
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Abstract
Endocrine therapies targeting oestrogen action (anti-oestrogens, such as tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors) decrease mortality from breast cancer, but their efficacy is limited by intrinsic and acquired therapeutic resistance. Candidate molecular biomarkers and gene expression signatures of tamoxifen response emphasize the importance of deregulation of proliferation and survival signalling in endocrine resistance. However, definition of the specific genetic lesions and molecular processes that determine clinical endocrine resistance is incomplete. The development of large-scale computational and genetic approaches offers the promise of identifying the mediators of endocrine resistance that may be exploited as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers of response in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Musgrove
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
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Solé X, Bonifaci N, López-Bigas N, Berenguer A, Hernández P, Reina O, Maxwell CA, Aguilar H, Urruticoechea A, de Sanjosé S, Comellas F, Capellá G, Moreno V, Pujana MA. Biological convergence of cancer signatures. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4544. [PMID: 19229342 PMCID: PMC2642727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2009] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression profiling has identified cancer prognostic and predictive signatures with superior performance to conventional histopathological or clinical parameters. Consequently, signatures are being incorporated into clinical practice and will soon influence everyday decisions in oncology. However, the slight overlap in the gene identity between signatures for the same cancer type or condition raises questions about their biological and clinical implications. To clarify these issues, better understanding of the molecular properties and possible interactions underlying apparently dissimilar signatures is needed. Here, we evaluated whether the signatures of 24 independent studies are related at the genome, transcriptome or proteome levels. Significant associations were consistently observed across these molecular layers, which suggest the existence of a common cancer cell phenotype. Convergence on cell proliferation and death supports the pivotal involvement of these processes in prognosis, metastasis and treatment response. In addition, functional and molecular associations were identified with the immune response in different cancer types and conditions that complement the contribution of cell proliferation and death. Examination of additional, independent, cancer datasets corroborated our observations. This study proposes a comprehensive strategy for interpreting cancer signatures that reveals common design principles and systems-level properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Solé
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Bonifaci
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria López-Bigas
- Research Unit on Biomedical Informatics of IMIM/UPF, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Berenguer
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Hernández
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Reina
- Unit of Infections and Cancer, CIBERESP, Epidemiology Research of Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christopher A. Maxwell
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helena Aguilar
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ander Urruticoechea
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia de Sanjosé
- Unit of Infections and Cancer, CIBERESP, Epidemiology Research of Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Comellas
- Department of Applied Mathematics IV, Technical University of Catalonia, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Capellá
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Pujana
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: .
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Musgrove EA, Sergio CM, Loi S, Inman CK, Anderson LR, Alles MC, Pinese M, Caldon CE, Schütte J, Gardiner-Garden M, Ormandy CJ, McArthur G, Butt AJ, Sutherland RL. Identification of functional networks of estrogen- and c-Myc-responsive genes and their relationship to response to tamoxifen therapy in breast cancer. PLoS One 2008; 3:e2987. [PMID: 18714337 PMCID: PMC2496892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2008] [Accepted: 07/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Estrogen is a pivotal regulator of cell proliferation in the normal breast and breast cancer. Endocrine therapies targeting the estrogen receptor are effective in breast cancer, but their success is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance. Methodology/Principal Findings With the goal of gaining mechanistic insights into estrogen action and endocrine resistance, we classified estrogen-regulated genes by function, and determined the relationship between functionally-related genesets and the response to tamoxifen in breast cancer patients. Estrogen-responsive genes were identified by transcript profiling of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Pathway analysis based on functional annotation of these estrogen-regulated genes identified gene signatures with known or predicted roles in cell cycle control, cell growth (i.e. ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis), cell death/survival signaling and transcriptional regulation. Since inducible expression of c-Myc in antiestrogen-arrested cells can recapitulate many of the effects of estrogen on molecular endpoints related to cell cycle progression, the estrogen-regulated genes that were also targets of c-Myc were identified using cells inducibly expressing c-Myc. Selected genes classified as estrogen and c-Myc targets displayed similar levels of regulation by estrogen and c-Myc and were not estrogen-regulated in the presence of siMyc. Genes regulated by c-Myc accounted for 50% of all acutely estrogen-regulated genes but comprised 85% (110/129 genes) in the cell growth signature. siRNA-mediated inhibition of c-Myc induction impaired estrogen regulation of ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis, consistent with the prediction that estrogen regulates cell growth principally via c-Myc. The ‘cell cycle’, ‘cell growth’ and ‘cell death’ gene signatures each identified patients with an attenuated response in a cohort of 246 tamoxifen-treated patients. In multivariate analysis the cell death signature was predictive independent of the cell cycle and cell growth signatures. Conclusions/Significance These functionally-based gene signatures can stratify patients treated with tamoxifen into groups with differing outcome, and potentially identify distinct mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Musgrove
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.
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