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Guo Q, Jin Y, Lin M, Zeng C, Zhang J. NF-κB signaling in therapy resistance of breast cancer: Mechanisms, approaches, and challenges. Life Sci 2024; 348:122684. [PMID: 38710275 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy are all effective in destroying tumor cells, but they also activate the defense and protection systems of cancer cells, leading to treatment resistance. Breast cancer is characterized by a highly inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The NF-κB pathway is essential for connecting inflammation and cancer, as well as for tumor growth and therapy resistance. An increase in NF-κB signaling boosts the growth potential of breast cancer cells and facilitates the spread of tumors to bone, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy induce breast cancer resistance through NF-κB signaling. Additionally, we investigate therapeutic regimens, including single agents or in combination with target inhibitors, plant extracts, nanomedicines, and miRNAs, that have been reported in clinical trials, in vivo, and in vitro to reverse resistance. In particular, NF-κB inhibitors combined with tamoxifen were shown to significantly increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Combination therapy of miRNA-34a with doxorubicin was also found to synergistically inhibit the progression of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting Notch/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizi Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxi Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Kubatka P, Koklesova L, Mazurakova A, Brockmueller A, Büsselberg D, Kello M, Shakibaei M. Cell plasticity modulation by flavonoids in resistant breast carcinoma targeting the nuclear factor kappa B signaling. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:87-113. [PMID: 37789138 PMCID: PMC11016017 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell plasticity plays a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis and is implicated in the multiple cancer defense mechanisms associated with therapy resistance and therapy evasion. Cancer resistance represents one of the significant obstacles in the clinical management of cancer. Some reversal chemosensitizing agents have been developed to resolve this serious clinical problem, but they have not yet been proven applicable in oncological practice. Activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a frequently observed biomarker in chemoresistant breast cancer (BC). Therefore, it denotes an attractive cellular target to mitigate cancer resistance. We summarize that flavonoids represent an essential class of phytochemicals that act as significant regulators of NF-κB signaling and negatively affect the fundamental cellular processes contributing to acquired cell plasticity and drug resistance. In this regard, flavokawain A, icariin, alpinetin, genistein, wogonin, apigenin, oroxylin A, xanthohumol, EGCG, hesperidin, naringenin, orientin, luteolin, delphinidin, fisetin, norwogonin, curcumin, cardamonin, methyl gallate and catechin-3-O-gallate, ampelopsin, puerarin, hyperoside, baicalein, paratocarpin E, and kaempferol and also synthetic flavonoids such as LFG-500 and 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone have been reported to specifically interfere with the NF-κB pathway with complex signaling consequences in BC cells and could be potentially crucial in re-sensitizing unresponsive BC cases. The targeting NF-κB by above-mentioned flavonoids includes the modification of tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth factor receptor regulations, and modulations of specific pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAP kinase/ERK, and Janus kinase/signal transduction in BC cells. Besides that, NF-κB signaling in BC cells modulated by flavonoids has also involved the regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, and changes in the activity of cancer stem cells, oncogenes, or controlling of gene repair. The evaluation of conventional therapies in combination with plasticity-regulating/sensitizing agents offers new opportunities to make significant progress towards a complete cure for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kubatka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia.
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Aranka Brockmueller
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 11, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - Mehdi Shakibaei
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 11, D-80336, Munich, Germany.
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3
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Sanz-Álvarez M, Luque M, Morales-Gallego M, Cristóbal I, Ramírez-Merino N, Rangel Y, Izarzugaza Y, Eroles P, Albanell J, Madoz-Gúrpide J, Rojo F. Generation and Characterization of Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab-Resistant HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:207. [PMID: 38203378 PMCID: PMC10779249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab as first-line therapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer has shown significant clinical benefits compared to trastuzumab alone. However, despite initial therapeutic success, most patients eventually progress, and tumors develop acquired resistance and invariably relapse. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the mechanisms governing resistance in order to develop targeted therapeutic strategies with improved efficacy. We generated four novel HER2-positive cell lines via prolonged exposure to trastuzumab and pertuzumab and determined their resistance rates. Long-term resistance was confirmed by a significant increase in the colony-forming capacity of the derived cells. We authenticated the molecular identity of the new lines via both immunohistochemistry for the clinical phenotype and molecular profiling of point mutations. HER2 overexpression was confirmed in all resistant cell lines, and acquisition of resistance to trastuzumab and pertuzumab did not translate into differences in ER, PR, and HER2 receptor expression. In contrast, changes in the expression and activity of other HER family members, particularly HER4, were observed. In the same vein, analyses of the receptor and effector kinase status of different cellular pathways revealed that the MAPK pathway may be involved in the acquisition of resistance to trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Finally, proteomic analysis confirmed a significant change in the abundance patterns of more than 600 proteins with implications in key biological processes, such as ribosome formation, mitochondrial activity, and metabolism, which could be relevant mechanisms in the generation of resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. We concluded that these resistant BCCLs may be a valuable tool to better understand the mechanisms of acquisition of resistance to trastuzumab and pertuzumab-based anti-HER2 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sanz-Álvarez
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.S.-Á.); (M.L.); (M.M.-G.)
| | - Melani Luque
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.S.-Á.); (M.L.); (M.M.-G.)
| | - Miriam Morales-Gallego
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.S.-Á.); (M.L.); (M.M.-G.)
| | - Ion Cristóbal
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Yamileth Rangel
- Department of Pathology, Infanta Elena University Hospital, 28342 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Yann Izarzugaza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Institute of Health Research INCLIVA—CIBERONC, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Joan Albanell
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar—CIBERONC, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Madoz-Gúrpide
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.S.-Á.); (M.L.); (M.M.-G.)
| | - Federico Rojo
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital Health Research Institute (IIS—FJD, UAM)—CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.S.-Á.); (M.L.); (M.M.-G.)
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4
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Tufail M, Wu C. RANK pathway in cancer: underlying resistance and therapeutic approaches. J Chemother 2023; 35:369-382. [PMID: 36200617 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2022.2129752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases despite advances in treatment. Metastatic cancers are the leading cause of death for advanced cancer patients. Those with advanced cancer with osteolytic-type bone metastases have a significantly lower quality of life. A novel treatment plan is needed now more than ever for breast cancer patients with bone metastases. There are shreds of evidence that cancer cells in the bloodstream interact with the bone microenvironment and that this interaction is a contributing component to breast cancer progression. Preventing any stage of this cycle can result in anti-metastasis effects. Since RANKL interacts with its receptor RANK and plays an important role in the vicious cycle, it has proven to be a successful therapeutic target in cancer treatment. As a result, we have presented a complete overview of the RANK pathway in cancer and discussed RANK signaling and tumor microenvironment, and potential therapeutic approaches in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Changxin Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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5
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Gomes I, Gallego-Paez LM, Jiménez M, Santamaria PG, Mansinho A, Sousa R, Abreu C, Suárez EG, Costa L, Casimiro S. Co-targeting RANK pathway treats and prevents acquired resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in luminal breast cancer. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101120. [PMID: 37451269 PMCID: PMC10439176 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The combination of endocrine therapy (ET) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors (CDK4/6i) was a hallmark in metastatic luminal breast cancer (BC). However, intrinsic and acquired resistance affects long-term efficacy. Here, we study the role of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) pathway in CDK4/6i resistance. We find that RANK overexpression in luminal BC is associated with intrinsic resistance to CDK4/6i, both in vitro and in mouse xenografts, and decreased proliferation rate and chronic interferon (IFN) γ response are highlighted as resistance drivers. Gene expression data from the NeoPalAna CDK4/6i clinical trial, and studies with palbociclib-resistant cell lines, show that RANK is upregulated after treatment with CDK4/6i, supporting a role in acquired resistance. Our study shows that RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors can restore sensitivity to CDK4/6i and prevent acquired resistance. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that pharmacological inhibition of the RANK pathway through RANKL blocking could represent an add-on to ET + CDK4/6i, warranting further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Gomes
- Luis Costa Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine (iMM), Lisbon Medical School, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lina M Gallego-Paez
- Luis Costa Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine (iMM), Lisbon Medical School, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Jiménez
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - André Mansinho
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHULN, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Sousa
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHULN, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Abreu
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHULN, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eva González Suárez
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Oncobell, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Costa
- Luis Costa Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine (iMM), Lisbon Medical School, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHULN, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Sandra Casimiro
- Luis Costa Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine (iMM), Lisbon Medical School, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.
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6
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Yang L, Cheng T, Shao J. Perspective on receptor-associated immune response to Candida albicans single and mixed infections: Implications for therapeutics in oropharyngeal candidiasis. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad077. [PMID: 37533203 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), commonly known as 'thrush', is an oral infection that usually dismantles oral mucosal integrity and malfunctions local innate and adaptive immunities in compromised individuals. The major pathogen responsible for the occurrence and progression of OPC is the dimorphic opportunistic commensal Candida albicans. However, the incidence induced by non-albicans Candida species including C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei are increasing in company with several oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, S. gordonii, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus. In this review, the microbiological and infection features of C. albicans and its co-contributors in the pathogenesis of OPC are outlined. Since the invasion and concomitant immune response lie firstly on the recognition of oral pathogens through diverse cellular surface receptors, we subsequently emphasize the roles of epidermal growth factor receptor, ephrin-type receptor 2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor located on oral epithelial cells to delineate the underlying mechanism by which host immune recognition to oral pathogens is mediated. Based on these observations, the therapeutic approaches to OPC comprising conventional and non-conventional antifungal agents, fungal vaccines, cytokine and antibody therapies, and antimicrobial peptide therapy are finally overviewed. In the face of newly emerging life-threatening microbes (C. auris and SARS-CoV-2), risks (biofilm formation and interconnected translocation among diverse organs), and complicated clinical settings (HIV and oropharyngeal cancer), the research on OPC is still a challenging task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Laboratory of Anti-infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei 230012, P. R. China
| | - Ting Cheng
- Laboratory of Anti-infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei 230012, P. R. China
| | - Jing Shao
- Laboratory of Anti-infection and Immunity, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Science), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei 230012, P. R. China
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Zhijing Building, 350 Longzihu Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei 230012, P. R. China
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7
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Xing F, Gao H, Chen G, Sun L, Sun J, Qiao X, Xue J, Liu C. CMTM6 overexpression confers trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:6. [PMID: 36627608 PMCID: PMC9830830 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01716-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is characterized by invasive growth, rapid metastasis and chemoresistance. Trastuzumab is an effective treatment for HER2+ breast cancer; however, trastuzumab resistance leads to cancer relapse and metastasis. CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 6 (CMTM6) has been considered as a new immune checkpoint for tumor-induced immunosuppression. The role of CMTM6 in trastuzumab resistance remains unknown. Here, we uncover a role of CMTM6 in trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ breast cancer. CMTM6 expression was upregulated in trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell. Patients with high CMTM6 expressing HER2+ breast cancer had worse overall and progression-free survival than those with low CMTM6 expression. In vitro, CMTM6 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of HER2+ breast cancer cells, and promoted their apoptosis, while CMTM6 overexpression reversed these effects. CMTM6 and HER2 proteins were co-localized on the surface of breast cancer cells, and CMTM6 silencing reduced HER2 protein levels in breast cancer cells. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that CMTM6 directly interacted with HER2 in HER2+ breast cancer cells, and CMTM6 overexpression inhibited HER2 ubiquitination. Collectively, these findings highlight that CMTM6 stabilizes HER2 protein, contributing to trastuzumab resistance and implicate CMTM6 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xing
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Hongli Gao
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Guanglei Chen
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Lisha Sun
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Jiayi Sun
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Xinbo Qiao
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Jinqi Xue
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Caigang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Innovative Cancer Drug Research and Engineering Center of Liaoning Province, Cancer Stem Cell and Translation Medicine Lab, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China.
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8
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The role of HER2 alterations in clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of breast cancer and HER2-targeted therapies: a comprehensive review. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:210. [PMID: 36175719 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01817-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women and one of the leading causes of cancer mortality, despite significant treatment advancements over the last decades. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is a member of the ERBB family of receptor tyrosine kinases which have long been known to mediate cancer cell growth and invasion through constitutive activation of oncogenic downstream signaling, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK. Overexpression/amplification of HER2 in various tumors, especially BC, offers the possible therapeutic potential for target therapies. HER2-targeted therapies, either with a combination of chemotherapy or through multi-anti-HER2 therapies without chemotherapy, have significantly improved the prognosis of HER2-positive tumors. In recent years, novel anti-HER2 agents and combination therapies have garnered much attention, especially for heavily treated advanced or metastatic BCs. HER2-positive BC is biologically a heterogeneous group depending on HER2 activation mechanisms, hormone receptor status, genome variations, tumor heterogeneity, and treatment resistance, which affect the treatment benefit and patients' outcomes. This review will discuss HER2 alternations (gene amplification or receptor overexpression) in BC, their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and molecular characteristics, and HER2-based therapies in tumors with HER2 overexpression/amplification.
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9
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de Pinho IS, Abreu C, Gomes I, Casimiro S, Pacheco TR, de Sousa RT, Costa L. Exploring new pathways in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:337-361. [PMID: 36045911 PMCID: PMC9400750 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common breast cancer (BC) subtypes are hormone-dependent, being either estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), progesterone receptor-positive (PR+), or both, and altogether comprise the luminal subtype. The mainstay of treatment for luminal BC is endocrine therapy (ET), which includes several agents that act either directly targeting ER action or suppressing estrogen production. Over the years, ET has proven efficacy in reducing mortality and improving clinical outcomes in metastatic and nonmetastatic BC. However, the development of ET resistance promotes cancer survival and progression and hinders the use of endocrine agents. Several mechanisms implicated in endocrine resistance have now been extensively studied. Based on the current clinical and pre-clinical data, the present article briefly reviews the well-established pathways of ET resistance and continues by focusing on the three most recently uncovered pathways, which may mediate resistance to ET, namely receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and Notch. It additionally overviews the evidence underlying the approval of combined therapies to overcome ET resistance in BC, while highlighting the relevance of future studies focusing on putative mediators of ET resistance to uncover new therapeutic options for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Soares de Pinho
- 1Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Abreu
- 1Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal 2Luis Costa Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Gomes
- 2Luis Costa Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Casimiro
- 2Luis Costa Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa Raquel Pacheco
- 1Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal 2Luis Costa Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita Teixeira de Sousa
- 1Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Costa
- 1Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal 2Luis Costa Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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10
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Liu X, He Z, Qu Y, Meng Q, Qin L, Hu Y. Circulating Natural Autoantibodies to HER2-Derived Peptides Performed Antitumor Effects on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:693989. [PMID: 34803666 PMCID: PMC8602057 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.693989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural autoantibodies play a crucial role in destruction of malignant tumors due to immune surveillance function. Epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has been found to be highly expressed in a variety of epithelial tumors including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study was thus undertaken to investigate the effect of anti-HER2 natural autoantibodies on OSCC. Compared with cancer-adjacent tissues, cancer tissues from OSCC patients exhibited higher HER2 expression especially in those with middle & advanced stage OSCC. Plasma anti-HER2 IgG levels examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed in-house showed differences between control subjects, individuals with oral benign tumor and patients with OSCC. In addition, anti-HER2 IgG-abundant plasma was screened from healthy donors to treat OSCC cells and to prepare for anti-HER2 intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Both anti-HER2 IgG-abundant plasma and anti-HER2 IVIg could significantly inhibit proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells by inducing the apoptosis, and also regulate apoptosis-associated factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), respectively. Besides, the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) pathway was likely to contribute to the anti-HER2 IgG mediated inhibition of OSCC cells. After the HER2 gene was knocked down with HER2-specific siRNAs, the inhibitory effects on OSCC cell proliferation and apoptotic induction faded away. In conclusion, human plasma IgG, or IVIg against HER2 may be a promising agent for anti-OSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Liu
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi He
- Department of Transfusion Research, Dongguan Blood Center, Dongguan, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial and Head and Neck Oncology, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingyong Meng
- Laboratory for Nursing Science and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Lizheng Qin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial and Head and Neck Oncology, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Beijing Institute of Dental Research, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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The Roadmap of RANKL/RANK Pathway in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081978. [PMID: 34440747 PMCID: PMC8393235 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway was identified in the late 1990s and is the key mediator of bone remodeling. Targeting RANKL with the antibody denosumab is part of the standard of care for bone loss diseases, including bone metastases (BM). Over the last decade, evidence has implicated RANKL/RANK pathway in hormone and HER2-driven breast carcinogenesis and in the acquisition of molecular and phenotypic traits associated with breast cancer (BCa) aggressiveness and poor prognosis. This marked a new era in the research of the therapeutic use of RANKL inhibition in BCa. RANKL/RANK pathway is also an important immune mediator, with anti-RANKL therapy recently linked to improved response to immunotherapy in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This review summarizes and discusses the pre-clinical and clinical evidence of the relevance of the RANKL/RANK pathway in cancer biology and therapeutics, focusing on bone metastatic disease, BCa onset and progression, and immune modulation.
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