1
|
Drago JZ, Ferraro E, Abuhadra N, Modi S. Beyond HER2: Targeting the ErbB receptor family in breast cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2022; 109:102436. [PMID: 35870237 PMCID: PMC10478787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the HER2 oncogene represents one of the greatest advances in the treatment of breast cancer. HER2 is one member of the ERBB-receptor family, which includes EGFR (HER1), HER3 and HER4. In the presence or absence of underling genomic aberrations such as mutations or amplification events, intricate interactions between these proteins on the cell membrane lead to downstream signaling that encourages cancer growth and proliferation. In this Review, we contextualize efforts to pharmacologically target the ErbB receptor family beyond HER2, with a focus on EGFR and HER3. Preclinical and clinical efforts are synthesized. We discuss successes and failures of this approach to date, summarize lessons learned, and propose a way forward that invokes new therapeutic modalities such as antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), combination strategies, and patient selection through rational biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Z Drago
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weil Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Emanuela Ferraro
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nour Abuhadra
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weil Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shanu Modi
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weil Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brockhoff G. "Shedding" light on HER4 signaling in normal and malignant breast tissues. Cell Signal 2022; 97:110401. [PMID: 35820544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family play a pivotal role as drivers of carcinogenesis and uncontrolled cell growth for a variety of malignancies, not least for breast cancer. Besides the estrogen receptor, the HER2 receptor was and still is a representative marker for advanced taxonomic sub-differentiation of breast cancer and emerged as one of the first therapeutic targets for antibody based therapies. Since the approval of trastuzumab for the therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer in 1998 anti-HER2 treatment strategies are being modified, refined, and successfully combined with complementary treatments, nevertheless there is still potential for improvement. The HER2 relatives, namely HER1 (i.e., EGFR), HER3 and HER4 share a high degree of molecular homology and together form a functional unit for signal transmission. Under regular conditions, receptor coexpression patterns and receptor interaction represent key parameters for signaling robustness, which ensures cellular growth control and enables tissue differentiation. In addition, treatment efficiency of e.g., an anti-HER2 targeting is substantially determined by the expression pattern of HER receptors on target cells. Within the receptor family, the HER4 plays a particular role and is engaged in exceptional signaling activities. A favorable prognostic impact has been attributed to HER4 expression in breast cancer under specific molecular conditions. HER4-specific cellular effects are initially determined by a ligand-dependent or -independent receptor activation. Essential processes as cell growth and proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptotic cell death can be initiated by this receptor. This review gives an overview of the role of HER4 in normal and malignant breast epithelial cells and tissues. Specific mechanism of HER4 activation and subsequent intracellular signaling will be described by taking a focus on effects provoked by receptor shedding. HER4 activities and specific effects will be correlated to breast cancer subtypes and the impact of HER4 on course and outcome of disease will be considered. Moreover, current and potential therapeutic approaches will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kankia IH, Paramasivan P, Elcombe M, Langdon SP, Deeni YY. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 modulates HER4 receptor in ovarian cancer cells to influence their sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:187-203. [PMID: 36046141 PMCID: PMC9400752 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00040] [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: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key component in the cell’s response to oxidative and electrophilic stress and is a transcription factor regulating the expression of a collection of anti-oxidative and cytoprotective genes. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (HER4/erbB4) regulates growth and differentiation in many cancer types. Here, NRF2 and HER4 receptor interactions were investigated in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: Pharmacological [tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and retinoid/rexinoid, bexarotene] and genetic [small interfering RNA (siRNA)] manipulations were used to activate or inhibit NRF2 function in the cell line panel (PE01, OVCAR3, SKOV3). Activity of the HER-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, erlotinib (ERL) and lapatinib (LAP), was evaluated after NRF2 activation. Results: While tBHQ increased the levels of both phosphorylated-NRF2 (pNRF2) and HER4 in PE01, OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells, bexatorene and NRF2-target siRNA treatment decreased pNRF2 and total HER4 levels. The tBHQ-dependent pharmacological activation of NRF2 attenuated the therapeutic effectiveness of ERL and LAP. Analyses of gene expression data from a HER4 driven reporter system and in vitro or in vivo cancer models, support NRF2 regulation of HER4 expression. Conclusions: These results support the presence of signaling interaction between the NRF2 and HER4 receptor pathways and suggest that intervention modulating this cross-talk could have anticancer therapeutic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim H. Kankia
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK 3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina PMB 2218, Nigeria
| | - Poornima Paramasivan
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
| | - Matthew Elcombe
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
| | - Simon P. Langdon
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Yusuf Y. Deeni
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK 4Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse, Dutse PMB 7156, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Han G, Qiu N, Luo K, Liang H, Li H. Downregulation of miroRNA-141 mediates acquired resistance to trastuzumab and is associated with poor outcome in breast cancer by upregulating the expression of ERBB4. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:11390-11400. [PMID: 30746756 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND microRNAs are involved in the control of cell growth and apoptosis; they also play an essential role in resistance towards trastuzumab, in breast cancer. The objective of this study was to identify differentially expressed microRNA(s) and explore its therapeutic role in treatment of the disease. METHODS Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to identify the virtual microRNA (miRNA) involved in breast cancer cells resistant to trastuzumab. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were carried out to study the effects of microRNA-141 (miR-141) on ERBB2, ERBB4 and AKT production. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry analysis was carried out to examine the effect of miR-141 on cell proliferation and apoptosis via ERBB4. RESULT According to RT-PCR results, only miR-141 and miR-375 among miR-141, miR-375, miR-16, miR-155, miR-217 and miR-205 were downregulated in trastuzumab-resistant cells. Trastuzumab-resistant cells displayed higher levels of ERBB4 and p-AKT as well as showing a higher growth rate and a lower apoptosis rate. Online software programs were used, which identified ERBB4 as a gene targeted by miR-141 with a highly conserved binding site for miR-141 located within the ERBB4 3'-untranslated region. In trastuzumab-resistant cells, miR-141 and shERBB4 reduced ERBB4 and p-AKT levels; ERBB2 and total AKT levels in miR-141 and shERBB4 groups showed no significant difference. Anti-miR-141 was upregulated ERBB4 and p-AKT levels in parental cell and had no obvious effect on ERBB2 and total AKT levels. Finally, miR-141 upregulated viability of the cells, which was restored by shERBB4, miR-141 and shERBB4 inhibited proliferation, and enhanced apoptosis of trastuzumab-resistant cells. miR-141 inhibitor caused an evident increase in proliferation and an obvious decrease in apoptosis of parental cells. CONCLUSION Knockdown of miR-141 causes overexpression of ERBB4, which is involved in trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer cells. This study has implications that miR-141 as well as its target, ERBB4, as a potential target for treating trastuzumab-resistant breast cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ni Qiu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Kai Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Hongling Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Hongsheng Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
The HER4 receptor tyrosine kinase is known to have promiscuous activity in malignant cells, last but not least in breast cancer. Evidently, the prognostic and predictive impact of HER4 expression depends on the expression of different receptor isotypes, the way of receptor activation (ligand dependent vs. independent), and on the complex interaction of the HER4 intracellular domain (4ICD) with intracellular regulative molecules which results in either oncogenic or rather tumor suppressive HER4 activity. Recent data suggest that HER4 unfavorably affects the endocrine treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer patients with tamoxifen and therefore might represent an additional therapeutic target in luminal breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Koutras A, Lazaridis G, Koliou GA, Kouvatseas G, Christodoulou C, Pectasides D, Kotoula V, Batistatou A, Bobos M, Tsolaki E, Papadopoulou K, Pentheroudakis G, Papakostas P, Pervana S, Petraki K, Chrisafi S, Razis E, Psyrri A, Bafaloukos D, Kalogeras KT, Kalofonos HP, Fountzilas G. Evaluation of the prognostic value of all four HER family receptors in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab: A Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207707. [PMID: 30521571 PMCID: PMC6283464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study, we performed a complete analysis, with four different methods, of all four HER family receptors, in a series of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab-based regimens and evaluated their prognostic value. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples were collected from 227 patients, considered to be HER2-positive when assessed at the local laboratories. We evaluated gene amplification, copy number variations (CNVs), mRNA and protein expression of all four HER family members. In addition, our analysis included the evaluation of several other factors by immunohistochemistry (IHC), such as pHER2Tyr1221/1222, pHER2Tyr877 and PTEN. Central review of HER2 status by IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that of the 227 patients, only 139 (61.2%) were truly HER2-positive. Regarding the 191 patients treated with trastuzumab as first-line therapy, median time to progression (TTP) was 15.3 and 10.4 months for HER2-positive and HER2-negative participants, respectively, whereas median survival was 50.4 and 38.1 months, respectively. In HER2-positive patients, high HER3 mRNA expression was of favorable prognostic significance for TTP and survival (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.88, Wald’s p = 0.022 and HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.88, p = 0.021, respectively), while EGFR copy gain and EGFR protein expression were associated with higher risk for disease progression in HER2-negative patients (HR = 3.53, 95% CI 1.19–10.50, p = 0.023 and HR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.12–10.17, p = 0.031, respectively). Positive HER3 protein expression was a favorable factor for TTP in HER2-negative patients (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.22–0.84, p = 0.014). In the multivariate analysis, only EGFR copy gain retained its prognostic significance for TTP in the HER2-negative population (HR = 3.96, 95% CI 1.29–12.16, p = 0.016), while high HER3 mRNA expression retained its favorable prognostic significance for TTP in the HER2-positive subgroup (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.99, p = 0.048). The present study suggests that EGFR copy gain represents a negative prognostic factor for TTP in HER2-negative patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab. In addition, high HER3 mRNA expression appears to be of favorable prognostic significance for TTP in HER2-positive patients. Given the small number of patients included in the current analysis and the retrospective nature of the study, our findings should be validated in larger cohorts.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics
- DNA Copy Number Variations
- ErbB Receptors/genetics
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Amplification
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Metastasis/drug therapy
- Neoplasm Metastasis/genetics
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism
- Prognosis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Receptor, ErbB-3/genetics
- Receptor, ErbB-3/metabolism
- Receptor, ErbB-4/genetics
- Receptor, ErbB-4/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- Trastuzumab/therapeutic use
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelos Koutras
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
- * E-mail:
| | - Georgios Lazaridis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Dimitrios Pectasides
- Oncology Section, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Kotoula
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Batistatou
- Department of Pathology, Ioannina University Hospital, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Mattheos Bobos
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Tsolaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Stavroula Pervana
- Department of Pathology, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Sofia Chrisafi
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Razis
- Third Department of Medical Oncology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Amanda Psyrri
- Division of Oncology, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Konstantine T. Kalogeras
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Translational Research Section, Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group, Athens, Greece
| | - Haralambos P. Kalofonos
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - George Fountzilas
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Hellenic Foundation for Cancer Research/Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wege AK, Chittka D, Buchholz S, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Diermeier-Daucher S, Zeman F, Ortmann O, Brockhoff G. HER4 expression in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer is associated with decreased sensitivity to tamoxifen treatment and reduced overall survival of postmenopausal women. Breast Cancer Res 2018; 20:139. [PMID: 30458882 PMCID: PMC6247692 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-018-1072-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sensitivity of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers to tamoxifen treatment varies considerably, and the molecular mechanisms affecting the response rates are manifold. The human epidermal growth factor receptor-related receptor HER2 is known to trigger intracellular signaling cascades that modulate the activity of coregulators of the estrogen receptor which, in turn, reduces the cell sensitivity to tamoxifen treatment. However, the impact of HER2-related receptor tyrosine kinases HER1, HER3, and, in particular, HER4 on endocrine treatment is largely unknown. METHODS Here, we retrospectively evaluated the importance of HER4 expression on the outcome of tamoxifen- and aromatase inhibitor-treated estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients (n = 258). In addition, we experimentally analyzed the efficiency of tamoxifen treatment as a function of HER4 co-expression in vitro. RESULTS We found a significantly improved survival in tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal breast cancer patients in the absence of HER4 compared with those with pronounced HER4 expression. In accordance with this finding, the sensitivity to tamoxifen treatment of estrogen and HER4 receptor-positive ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells can be significantly enhanced by HER4 knockdown. CONCLUSION We suggest an HER4/estrogen receptor interaction that impedes tamoxifen binding to the estrogen receptor and reduces treatment efficiency. Whether the sensitivity to tamoxifen treatment can be enhanced by anti-HER4 targeting needs to be prospectively evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kathrin Wege
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Chittka
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Buchholz
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Florian Zeman
- Center for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gero Brockhoff
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Elster N, Toomey S, Fan Y, Cremona M, Morgan C, Weiner Gorzel K, Bhreathnach U, Milewska M, Murphy M, Madden S, Naidoo J, Fay J, Kay E, Carr A, Kennedy S, Furney S, Mezynski J, Breathhnach O, Morris P, Grogan L, Hill A, Kennedy S, Crown J, Gallagher W, Hennessy B, Eustace A. Frequency, impact and a preclinical study of novel ERBB gene family mutations in HER2-positive breast cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2018; 10:1758835918778297. [PMID: 30023006 PMCID: PMC6047239 DOI: 10.1177/1758835918778297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Somatic mutations in the ERBB genes (epidermal growth factor
receptor: EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, ERBB4) promote oncogenesis
and lapatinib resistance in metastatic HER2+ (human epidermal growth
factor-like receptor 2) breast cancer in vitro. Our study
aimed to determine the frequency of mutations in four genes: EGFR,
ERBB2, ERBB3 and ERBB4 and to investigate
whether these mutations affect cellular behaviour and therapy response
in vitro and outcomes after adjuvant trastuzumab-based
therapy in clinical samples. Methods: We performed Agena MassArray analysis of 227 HER2+ breast cancer samples to
identify the type and frequency of ERBB family mutations.
Of these, two mutations, the somatic mutations ERBB4-V721I
and ERBB4-S303F, were stably transfected into HCC1954
(PIK3CA mutant), HCC1569 (PIK3CA wildtype) and BT474 (PIK3CA mutant, ER
positive) HER2+ breast cancer cell lines for functional in
vitro experiments. Results: A total of 12 somatic, likely deleterious mutations in the kinase and
furin-like domains of the ERBB genes (3
EGFR, 1 ERBB2, 3
ERBB3, 5 ERBB4) were identified in 7%
of HER2+ breast cancers, with ERBB4 the most frequently
mutated gene. The ERBB4-V721I kinase domain mutation
significantly increased 3D-colony formation in 3/3 cell lines, whereas
ERBB4-S303F did not increase growth rate or 3D colony
formation in vitro. ERBB4-V721I sensitized HCC1569 cells
(PIK3CA wildtype) to the pan class I PI3K inhibitor copanlisib but increased
resistance to the pan-HER family inhibitor afatinib. The combinations of
copanlisib with trastuzumab, lapatinib, or afatinib remained synergistic
regardless of ERBB4-V721I or ERBB4-S303F
mutation status. Conclusions: ERBB gene family mutations, which are present in 7% of our
HER2+ breast cancer cohort, may have the potential to alter cellular
behaviour and the efficacy of HER- and PI3K-inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Elster
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
| | - Sinead Toomey
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yue Fan
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mattia Cremona
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare Morgan
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Malgorzata Milewska
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Stephen Madden
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Joanna Fay
- Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elaine Kay
- Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife Carr
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Kennedy
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon Furney
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Patrick Morris
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Medicine, Royal College of surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - John Crown
- St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Alex Eustace
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shi J, Li F, Yao X, Mou T, Xu Z, Han Z, Chen S, Li W, Yu J, Qi X, Liu H, Li G. The HER4-YAP1 axis promotes trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer by inducing epithelial and mesenchymal transition. Oncogene 2018. [PMID: 29535422 PMCID: PMC5978807 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0204-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Trastuzumab is the only target to be approved as the first-line treatment of HER2 positive metastatic gastric cancer, but ubiquitous resistance decreases its therapeutic benefit. In this study, we found HER4, phosphorylation HER4 (p-HER4) and the mesenchymal marker Vimentin increased in trastuzumab-resistant cells (MKN45TR and NCI-N87TR), while epithelial markers expressions in trastuzumab-resistant cell lines and animal models decreased. Additionally, silencing HER4 prevented the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and led to decreased proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo. The expression of YAP1, a vital downstream interacted target of HER4, decreased when HER4 was knocked down. Interestingly, stimulation of NRG1 could compromise the inhibitory impact and rescue cell survival; whereas, transfection of siYAP1 sensitized trastuzumab-treated cells. Expression analysis of the proteins in patient-derived xenograft model (PDX) mice showed that HER4, p-HER4, YAP1, and Vimentin were clearly upregulated in the trastuzumab-resistant mice compared to mice without trastuzumab resistance. However, HER2 and E-cadherin were downregulated in response to continuous treatment with trastuzumab. These findings elucidated that the central role of the HER4-YAP1 axis in trastuzumab resistance of HER2-positive gastric cancer cells through induction of EMT. Hence, regulating the HER4-YAP1 axis might be a promising strategy for clinical interventions in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaolong Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengping Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingxing Yao
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingyu Mou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Han
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wende Li
- Department of Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiang Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoxin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Assessment of Specificity of an Adenovirus Targeted to HER3/4. Methods Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28791648 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7219-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Gene therapy with viral vectors, such as adenovirus (Ad), targeted to the human epidermal growth factor receptors 3 and 4 (HER3/4) are potentially useful for cancer therapy. Testing the expression of a reporter gene from these viruses in target cells is essential to determine functionality of the targeted virus. A competition assay with a relevant ligand (heregulin, HRG) can provide convincing evidence that blocking binding to the HER3/4 receptor results in decreased reporter gene expression. Labeling individual viruses with a fluorescent molecule allows examination of the targeted virus in specific steps in the infection. Virus internalization into cell lines can be determined using antibody-labeled receptors, and the virus colocalization with receptors can also be visualized. Characterization of a targeted virus in this fashion is important to demonstrate that the targeting of the virus functions in an expected manner, and provides support for larger-scale testing of the virus. Information acquired in these experiments may also be useful to inform and improve on the design of future targeted viruses.
Collapse
|
11
|
Holzschuh MA, Czyz Z, Hauke S, Inwald EC, Polzer B, Brockhoff G. HER2FISH results in breast cancers with increased CEN17 signals using alternative chromosome 17 probes - reclassifying cases in the equivocal category. Histopathology 2017; 71:610-625. [DOI: 10.1111/his.13253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Anna Holzschuh
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics; University Medical Centre Regensburg; Regensburg Germany
| | - Zbigniew Czyz
- Project Group ‘Personalized Tumour Therapy’; Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine; Regensburg Germany
| | | | - Elisabeth C Inwald
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics; University Medical Centre Regensburg; Regensburg Germany
| | - Bernhard Polzer
- Project Group ‘Personalized Tumour Therapy’; Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine; Regensburg Germany
| | - Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics; University Medical Centre Regensburg; Regensburg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brockhoff G, Bock M, Zeman F, Hauke S. The FlexISH assay brings flexibility to cytogenetic HER2 testing. Histopathology 2016; 69:635-46. [PMID: 27008983 DOI: 10.1111/his.12974] [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: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is the method of choice for quantitative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (also known as ERBB2) gene testing in invasive breast cancer. HER2 testing has great clinical impact, and is often claimed to expeditiously complete the entire diagnostic procedure for an individual patient. Against this background, the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and performance of a novel dual-colour HER2/cen17 FISH assay designed to facilitate flexible (overnight) and rapid (<2 h of hybridization) FISH. METHODS AND RESULTS We quantitatively and qualitatively compared counting results and the performance of the FlexISH SPEC ERBB2/CEN 17 dual-colour hybridization kit with well-established HER2FISH assays, by using 90 malignant (polysomic and non-polysomic) and 19 benign paraffin-embedded breast tissue specimens. We used long (overnight) and short (2 h) hybridization periods, and found an excellent correlation between the FISH results obtained with FlexISH, ZytoLight and PathVysion hybridization probes. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained with both the short-run and long-run application of FlexISH are in excellent accordance with the results obtained with other commercially available FISH kits. This appears to be true in all relevant respects: signal counts, signal-to-noise ratio, brightness, and distinctness of HER2 and cen17 signals. As FlexISH probes can be equivalently used as a short-run or long-run application, the FlexISH probe kit provides the highest flexibility in terms of time and laboratory management. If required, a reliable HER2 finding can be delivered within 4.5 h, but the standard workflow (including overnight hybridization) does not negatively affect the performance, specimen quality or diagnostic result.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Bock
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Zeman
- Centre for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mohd Nafi SN, Generali D, Kramer-Marek G, Gijsen M, Strina C, Cappelletti M, Andreis D, Haider S, Li JL, Bridges E, Capala J, Ioannis R, Harris AL, Kong A. Nuclear HER4 mediates acquired resistance to trastuzumab and is associated with poor outcome in HER2 positive breast cancer. Oncotarget 2015; 5:5934-49. [PMID: 25153719 PMCID: PMC4171603 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of HER4 in breast cancer is controversial and its role in relation to trastuzumab resistance remains unclear. We showed that trastuzumab treatment and its acquired resistance induced HER4 upregulation, cleavage and nuclear translocation. However, knockdown of HER4 by specific siRNAs increased trastuzumab sensitivity and reversed its resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer cells. Preventing HER4 cleavage by a γ-secretase inhibitor and inhibiting HER4 tyrosine kinase activity by neratinib decreased trastuzumab-induced HER4 nuclear translocation and enhanced trastuzumab response. There was also increased nuclear HER4 staining in the tumours from BT474 xenograft mice and human patients treated with trastuzumab. Furthermore, nuclear HER4 predicted poor clinical response to trastuzumab monotherapy in patients undergoing a window study and was shown to be an independent poor prognostic factor in HER2 positive breast cancer. Our data suggest that HER4 plays a key role in relation to trastuzumab resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer. Therefore, our study provides novel findings that HER4 activation, cleavage and nuclear translocation influence trastuzumab sensitivity and resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer. Nuclear HER4 could be a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker and understanding the role of HER4 may provide strategies to overcome trastuzumab resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siti Norasikin Mohd Nafi
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniele Generali
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Gabriela Kramer-Marek
- Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, 15 Cotswold Road, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Merel Gijsen
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Carla Strina
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Mariarosa Cappelletti
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Daniele Andreis
- U.O. Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, U.S Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, A.O. Instituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, Cremona, Italy
| | - Syed Haider
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ji-Liang Li
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Esther Bridges
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacek Capala
- National Institutes of Health, Radiation Oncology Branch, Bethesda MD, US
| | - Roxanis Ioannis
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Kong
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Group, Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Non-HER2 signaling pathways activated in resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2015; 153:493-505. [PMID: 26400847 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-015-3578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
HER2 receptor is overexpressed approximately in 20 % of human breast cancer (BC) and is a poor prognostic factor. Although therapies targeting this receptor have improved the prognosis of this cancer, up to 62 % patients treated with these drugs experiment progression during the first year of treatment. Some molecular mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for this resistance, such as activation of alternative signaling pathways (through ERBB receptors and non-ERBB receptors or increased expression of ligands and alterations in HER2 signaling components). In this article, we will review the influence of genetic markers in non-HER2 signaling pathways investigated to date as cause of resistance to HER2-targeted drugs in HER2-positive BC patients. GRB7, included in the 17q12 amplicon, has been associated to poor prognosis in BC patients. Biomarkers like EPHAR and SRC, have demonstrated clinical relevance and prognostic value in HER2-positive BC patients. Non-invasive biomarkers, such as elevated IGF1 serum levels have been revealed as interesting biomarkers to be considered as predictors of trastuzumab clinical outcomes in BC patients. However, the prognostic value of most of the biomarkers investigated to date, such as HER3, IGF1R, PIK3CA, or AKT1 cannot be fully established yet, since results have not been conclusive.
Collapse
|
15
|
Madrid-Paredes A, Cañadas-Garre M, Sánchez-Pozo A, Calleja-Hernández MÁ. De novo resistance biomarkers to anti-HER2 therapies in HER2-positive breast cancer. Pharmacogenomics 2015; 16:1411-26. [PMID: 26257318 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapies targeting HER2 receptor, overexpressed in 20% breast cancer (BC), improved prognosis, however ~62% patients experiment progression during the first year. Molecular mechanisms proposed to be responsible for this de novo resistance include HER2 modifications, defects in the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity or in cell arrest and apoptosis or alterations in HER2 signaling components. This article will review the influence of genetic markers investigated to date as cause of de novo resistance to HER2-targeted drugs in HER2-positive BC patients. Biomarkers like p95HER2, CCND1 and CDC25A have demonstrated clinical relevance and prognostic value in HER2-positive BC patients. However, the prognostic value of most biomarkers investigated to date, such as PIK3CA or AKT1, cannot be fully established yet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adela Madrid-Paredes
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, UGC Provincial de Farmacia de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Avda. Fuerzas Armadas, 2, 18014 Granada, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Marisa Cañadas-Garre
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, UGC Provincial de Farmacia de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Avda. Fuerzas Armadas, 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Sánchez-Pozo
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Calleja-Hernández
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, UGC Provincial de Farmacia de Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, Avda. Fuerzas Armadas, 2, 18014 Granada, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, s/n; 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Blancafort A, Giró-Perafita A, Oliveras G, Palomeras S, Turrado C, Campuzano Ò, Carrión-Salip D, Massaguer A, Brugada R, Palafox M, Gómez-Miragaya J, González-Suárez E, Puig T. Dual fatty acid synthase and HER2 signaling blockade shows marked antitumor activity against breast cancer models resistant to anti-HER2 drugs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131241. [PMID: 26107737 PMCID: PMC4479882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking the enzyme Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) leads to apoptosis of HER2-positive breast carcinoma cells. The hypothesis is that blocking FASN, in combination with anti-HER2 signaling agents, would be an effective antitumor strategy in preclinical HER2+ breast cancer models of trastuzumab and lapatinib resistance. We developed and molecularly characterized in vitro HER2+ models of resistance to trastuzumab (SKTR), lapatinib (SKLR) and both (SKLTR). The cellular interactions of combining anti-FASN polyphenolic compounds (EGCG and the synthetic G28UCM) with anti-HER2 signaling drugs (trastuzumab plus pertuzumab and temsirolimus) were analyzed. Tumor growth inhibition after treatment with EGCG, pertuzumab, temsirolimus or the combination was evaluated in two in vivo orthoxenopatients: one derived from a HER2+ patient and another from a patient who relapsed on trastuzumab and lapatinib-based therapy. SKTR, SKLR and SKLTR showed hyperactivation of EGFR and p-ERK1/2 and PI3KCA mutations. Dual-resistant cells (SKLTR) also showed hyperactivation of HER4 and recovered levels of p-AKT compared with mono-resistant cells. mTOR, p-mTOR and FASN expression remained stable in SKTR, SKLR and SKLTR. In vitro, anti-FASN compounds plus pertuzumab showed synergistic interactions in lapatinib- and dual- resistant cells and improved the results of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab co-treatment. FASN inhibitors combined with temsirolimus displayed the strongest synergistic interactions in resistant cells. In vivo, both orthoxenopatients showed strong response to the antitumor activity of the combination of EGCG with pertuzumab or temsirolimus, without signs of toxicity. We showed that the simultaneous blockade of FASN and HER2 pathways is effective in cells and in breast cancer models refractory to anti-HER2 therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blancafort
- New Therapeutic Targets Lab (TargetsLab), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Giró-Perafita
- New Therapeutic Targets Lab (TargetsLab), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Glòria Oliveras
- New Therapeutic Targets Lab (TargetsLab), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | - Sònia Palomeras
- New Therapeutic Targets Lab (TargetsLab), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carlos Turrado
- Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Òscar Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGi, Girona, Spain
| | - Dolors Carrión-Salip
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Massaguer
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGi, Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Palafox
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Gómez-Miragaya
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva González-Suárez
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat-Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Puig
- New Therapeutic Targets Lab (TargetsLab), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Diver EJ, Foster R, Rueda BR, Growdon WB. The Therapeutic Challenge of Targeting HER2 in Endometrial Cancer. Oncologist 2015; 20:1058-68. [PMID: 26099744 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2015-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, diagnosed in more than 50,000 women annually. While the majority of women present with low-grade tumors that are cured with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy, a significant subset of women experience recurrence and do not survive their disease. A disproportionate number of the more than 8,000 annual deaths attributed to endometrial cancer are due to high-grade uterine cancers, highlighting the need for new therapies that target molecular alterations specific to this subset of tumors. Numerous correlative scientific investigations have demonstrated that the HER2 (ERBB2) gene is amplified in 17%-33% of carcinosarcoma, uterine serous carcinoma, and a subset of high-grade endometrioid endometrial tumors. In breast cancer, this potent signature has directed women to anti-HER2-targeted therapies such as trastuzumab and lapatinib. In contrast to breast cancer, therapy with trastuzumab alone revealed no responses in women with recurrent HER2 overexpressing endometrial cancer, suggesting that these tumors may possess acquired or innate trastuzumab resistance mechanisms. This review explores the literature surrounding HER2 expression in endometrial cancer, focusing on trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 therapy and resistance mechanisms characterized in breast cancer but germane to endometrial tumors. Understanding resistance pathways will suggest combination therapies that target both HER2 and key oncogenic escape pathways in endometrial cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This review summarizes the role of HER2 in endometrial cancer, with a focus on uterine serous carcinoma. The limitations to date of anti-HER2 therapy in this disease site are examined, and mechanisms of drug resistance are outlined based on the experience in breast cancer. Potential opportunities to overcome inherent resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in endometrial cancer are detailed, offering opportunities for further clinical study with the goal to improve outcomes in this challenging disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J Diver
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosemary Foster
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bo R Rueda
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Whitfield B Growdon
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Portier BP, Minca EC, Wang Z, Lanigan C, Gruver AM, Downs-Kelly E, Budd GT, Tubbs RR. HER4 expression status correlates with improved outcome in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant Trastuzumab treated invasive breast carcinoma. Oncotarget 2014; 4:1662-72. [PMID: 24091566 PMCID: PMC3858553 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prognostic and predictive markers utilized in invasive breast carcinoma are limited and include ER, PR, Ki67, and ERBB2 (HER2). In the case of HER2, over-expression or amplification serves as eligibility for anti-HER2 based therapy, including trastuzumab (Herceptin®, Genentech). While clinical trials have shown trastuzumab improves overall survival and time to progression, an individual's response to anti-HER2 based therapy is highly variable. This suggests that, in a “uniform” HER2 positive population, additional markers could help in predicting patient outcome to therapy. Here we utilized a recently validated high-specificity HER4 antibody (E200) and generated a standard clinical HER4 scoring algorithm (HER4 H-Score) utilizing two breast carcinoma cohorts: 1) patients receiving neoadjuvant trastuzumab (n=47) and 2) patients receiving trastuzumab for metastatic disease (n=33). Our HER4 H-Score showed significant correlation with high sensitivity RT-qPCR performed on matched patients (p=<0.0001). In addition, patients with HER2/HER4 co-over-expression status showed a significant delay in development of metastasis after neo-adjuvant trastuzumab therapy (p= 0.04) and showed a significant improvement in progression free survival after adjuvant trastuzumab therapy (p=0.03). These findings suggest HER4 IHC, used in conjunction with a standard HER2 testing algorithm, could aid in predicting clinical outcome and help identify patients likely to show improved response to trastuzumab therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce P Portier
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Herceptin resistance database for understanding mechanism of resistance in breast cancer patients. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4483. [PMID: 24670875 PMCID: PMC3967150 DOI: 10.1038/srep04483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody Trastuzumab/Herceptin is considered as frontline therapy for Her2-positive breast cancer patients. However, it is not effective against several patients due to acquired or de novo resistance. In last one decade, several assays have been performed to understand the mechanism of Herceptin resistance with/without supplementary drugs. This manuscript describes a database HerceptinR, developed for understanding the mechanism of resistance at genetic level. HerceptinR maintains information about 2500 assays performed against various breast cancer cell lines (BCCs), for improving sensitivity of Herceptin with or without supplementary drugs. In order to understand Herceptin resistance at genetic level, we integrated genomic data of BCCs that include expression, mutations and copy number variations in different cell lines. HerceptinR will play a vital role in i) designing biomarkers to identify patients eligible for Herceptin treatment and ii) identification of appropriate supplementary drug for a particular patient. HerceptinR is available at http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/herceptinr/.
Collapse
|
20
|
De P, Hasmann M, Leyland-Jones B. Molecular determinants of trastuzumab efficacy: What is their clinical relevance? Cancer Treat Rev 2013; 39:925-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
21
|
Machleidt A, Buchholz S, Diermeier-Daucher S, Zeman F, Ortmann O, Brockhoff G. The prognostic value of Her4 receptor isoform expression in triple-negative and Her2 positive breast cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:437. [PMID: 24063248 PMCID: PMC3849049 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Not only four but rather seven different human epidermal growth factor receptor related (Her) receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been described to be expressed in a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues: Her1, Her2, Her3, and additionally four Her4 isoforms have been identified. A differential expression of Her4 isoforms does not, however, play any role in either the molecular diagnostics or treatment decision for breast cancer patients. The prognostic and predictive impact of Her4 expression in breast cancer is basically unclear. METHODS We quantified the Her4 variants JM-a/CYT1, JM-a/CYT2, JM-b/CYT1, and JM-b/CYT2 by isoform-specific polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in (i) triple-negative, (ii) Her2 positive breast cancer tissues and (iii) in benign breast tissues. RESULTS In all three tissue collectives we never found the JM-b/CYT1 or the JM-b/CYT2 isoform expressed. In contrast, the two JM-a/CYT1 and JM-a/CYT2 isoforms were always simultaneously expressed but at different ratios. We identified a positive prognostic impact on overall survival (OS) in triple-negative and event-free survival (EFS) in Her2 positive patients. This finding is independent of the absolute JM-a/CYT1 to JM-a/CYT2 expression ratio. In Her2 positive patients, Her4 expression only has a favorable effect in estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive but not in ER-negative individuals. CONCLUSION In summary, JM-a/CYT1 and JM-a/CYT2 but not JM-b isoforms of the Her4 receptor are simultaneously expressed in both triple-negative and Her2 positive breast cancer tissues. Although different expression ratios of the two JM-a isoforms did not reveal any additional information, Her4 expression basically indicates a prolonged EFS and OFS. An extended expression analysis that takes all Her receptor homologs, including the Her4 isoforms, into account might render more precisely the molecular diagnostics required for the development of optimized targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Machleidt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center, Caritas Hospital St, Josef, University of Regensburg, Landshuter Strasse 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jay JI, Brunhoeber PS, Smith MH, Williams RR, Sugarman MC, Free HL, Tast DE. Immunohistochemical analysis of the monoclonal antibody 4B5 in breast tissue expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (HER4). Histopathology 2013; 62:563-77. [PMID: 23432624 DOI: 10.1111/his.12024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS A recent study examining the specificity of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2 pharmacodiagnostic antibodies demonstrated that CB11 and 4B5 stain both HER2-transfected and HER4-transfected cell lines. However, there has been no evidence showing that 4B5 has affinity for HER4 in clinically obtained tissues, and, if so, whether this has any impact on the assessment of HER2. We therefore sought to determine the expression of membrane-bound HER4 in clinical breast carcinomas, and evaluate its impact on the clinical utility of 4B5 in determining HER2 status. METHODS AND RESULTS Breast carcinomas were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for membrane-bound HER4 using anti-HER4 clone E200. HER2 expression in these cases was then assessed using anti-HER2 clone 4B5, and a reference clone, SP3. In all 117 membrane HER4-positive cases (out of 241), 4B5 scored equal to or less than the reference anti-HER2 clone SP3. Eighteen cases were positive for membrane-bound HER4 by E200 and negative by 4B5, including a membrane HER4 level 3+ case. CONCLUSIONS No cross-reactivity of 4B5 with membrane-bound HER4 was identified in the clinical IHC analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma cases as evidenced by the HER4 antibody clone E200.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie I Jay
- Ventana Medical Systems Inc., Tucson, AZ 85755, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Brügmann A, Sorensen BS. Identifying responders to trastuzumab therapy in breast cancer. Future Oncol 2011; 7:767-73. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.11.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In breast cancer, HER2-targeted therapy with trastuzumab has gained significant attention, owing to the dramatic response observed in a subset of HER2-positive patients. The mechanisms of action are complex and not fully understood, and much effort has been spent in order to identify responders. Good patient management, side effects of the humanized monoclonal antibody and socioeconomics all demand that the drug should be administered only to the patients who will benefit from it. This has been a difficult task and contributions to solve it have been proposed from a variety of research. In this article we describe some of these contributions based on the literature and provide our viewpoint as to which identifiers will emerge in the following decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Brügmann
- Institute of Pathology, Aalborg Hospital, Ladegaardsgade 3, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Boe S Sorensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, DK 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Abstract
Experimental and clinical data support a growth inhibitory role for HER4 in breast cancer. Clinically HER4 expression is extinguished during breast tumorigenesis supporting a tumor suppressor function for HER4, however, a molecular mechanism to explain the selective loss of HER4 expression has remained elusive. Epigenetic mechanisms, for example, aberrant gene promoter hypermethylation, have been shown to ablate tumor suppressor gene expression in breast carcinomas. We identified a CpG island within the HER4 promoter and show by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA an inverse correlation between HER4 expression and the extent of promoter methylation. Treatment of the HER4-negative BT20 cell line with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC)-enhanced HER4 expression, confirming a role for DNA methylation in suppressed HER4 expression. DAC treatment to reactive HER4 expression in combination with the HER4 ligand heregulin-β1 (HRG) resulted in apoptosis of BT20 cells providing a novel therapeutic strategy for triple-negative tumors. The BT20 cells were rescued from apoptosis when preincubated with HER4 small interfering RNA, thereby confirming a role for HER4 in DAC/HRG-induced apoptosis. We verified HER4 promoter methylation in primary breast carcinomas and detected a significant increase in HER4 promoter methylation in HER4-negative breast tumors (P<0.001). Furthermore, increased levels of HER4 promoter methylation were significantly associated with worse patient prognosis (P=0.0234). Taken together, our data support a tumor suppressor function for HER4, which is epigenetically suppressed in breast tumors through promoter hypermethylation.
Collapse
|
26
|
Vollmann-Zwerenz A, Diermeier-Daucher S, Wege AK, Sassen A, Schmidt-Brücken E, Hofstaedter F, Ortmann O, Nauwelaers F, Brockhoff G. Multichromatic phenotyping of HER receptor coexpression in breast tumor tissue samples using flow cytometry--possibilities and limitations. Cytometry A 2010; 77:387-98. [PMID: 20151455 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The prognostic significance of HER2 expression in human breast carcinomas is beyond dispute nowadays. The HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases comprises four members (HER1/ErbB1/EGFR, HER2/ErbB2, HER3/ErbB3, and HER4/ErbB4) that act in concert via transactivation and consequently compose a functional signaling unit. Besides HER2 overexpression, coexpression of other HER receptors has substantial impact on course of disease and potential therapeutic benefit. This observation is substantiated by numerous preclinical studies and retrospective studies done on patients with breast cancer. Against this background, the quantification of all HER receptor expressions at the same time would significantly extend the information content revealed by routine diagnosis of breast cancer tissues. Moreover, the knowledge of HER receptor coexpression profiles in primary tumor samples could provide the basis to design and develop highly specific antireceptor treatment strategies. Here, we report on a simultaneous flow cytometric detection of all four HER receptors on carcinoma cells isolated from primary breast cancer tissues and separated from nonepithelial cells by cytokeratin staining. Combined with DNA, i.e. ploidy quantification, the approach resulted in a six-parameter assay that could complement the diagnosis of a variety of diseases in which HER receptor expression has a pivotal impact on the degree of malignancy.
Collapse
|