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Wang Y, Cheng S, Fleishman JS, Chen J, Tang H, Chen ZS, Chen W, Ding M. Targeting anoikis resistance as a strategy for cancer therapy. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 75:101099. [PMID: 38850692 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101099] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Anoikis, known as matrix detachment-induced apoptosis or detachment-induced cell death, is crucial for tissue development and homeostasis. Cancer cells develop means to evade anoikis, e.g. anoikis resistance, thereby allowing for cells to survive under anchorage-independent conditions. Uncovering the mechanisms of anoikis resistance will provide details about cancer metastasis, and potential strategies against cancer cell dissemination and metastasis. Here, we summarize the principal elements and core molecular mechanisms of anoikis and anoikis resistance. We discuss the latest progress of how anoikis and anoikis resistance are regulated in cancers. Furthermore, we summarize emerging data on selective compounds and nanomedicines, explaining how inhibiting anoikis resistance can serve as a meaningful treatment modality against cancers. Finally, we discuss the key limitations of this therapeutic paradigm and possible strategies to overcome them. In this review, we suggest that pharmacological modulation of anoikis and anoikis resistance by bioactive compounds could surmount anoikis resistance, highlighting a promising therapeutic regimen that could be used to overcome anoikis resistance in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sihang Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Jichao Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
| | - Wenkuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mingchao Ding
- Department of Peripheral Vascular Intervention, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, China.
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Huang P, Zhang X, Prabhu JS, Pandey V. Therapeutic vulnerabilities in triple negative breast cancer: Stem-like traits explored within molecular classification. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116584. [PMID: 38613998 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116584] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer (BC). Despite advances in the clinical management of TNBC, recurrence-related mortality remains a challenge. The stem-like phenotype of TNBC plays a significant role in the persistence of minimal disease residue after therapy. Individuals exhibiting stem-like characteristics are particularly prone to inducing malignant relapse accompanied by strong resistance. Therefore, stem-like traits have been broadly proposed as therapeutic vulnerabilities to treat TNBC and reduce recurrence. However, heterogeneity within TNBC often generally restricts the stability of the therapeutic efficacy. To understand the heterogeneity and manage TNBC more precisely, multiple TNBC subtyping categories have been reported, providing the basis for profile-according therapeutic regimens. To provide more insight into targeting stem-like traits to ablate TNBC and reduce recurrence in the context of heterogeneity, this paper reviewed the molecular subtyping of TNBC, identified the consensus subtypes with distinct stem-like phenotypes, characterized the stemness hierarchy of TNBC, outlined the biological models for stem-like TNBC subtypes, summarized the therapeutic vulnerabilities in stem-like traits of the subtypes, and proposed potential therapeutic regimens targeting stem-like characteristics to improve TNBC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Ahram M, Abu Alragheb B, Abushukair H, Bawadi R, Al-Hussaini M. MicroRNAs Associated with Androgen Receptor and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:665. [PMID: 38339416 PMCID: PMC10854913 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is crucial to identify novel molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The androgen receptor (AR) is a regulator of TNBC, acting partially via microRNA molecules (miRNAs). In this study, we used PCR arrays to profile the expression of 84 miRNAs in 24 TNBC tissue samples, which were equally classified according to AR expression and/or metastasis. Several bioinformatics tools were then utilized to determine the potentially affected protein targets and signaling pathways. Seven miRNAs were found to be significantly more highly expressed in association with AR expression, including miR-328-3p and miR-489-3p. Increased expression of miR-205-3p was found to be significantly associated with metastasis. Certain miRNAs were specifically found to be differentially expressed in either metastatic or non-metastatic AR-positive tumors. A gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated biological roles in the regulation of transcription, cellular response to DNA damage, and the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway. The GO analysis also showed enrichment in kinase and transcription factor activities. The TGF-beta and a number of kinase-dependent pathways were also retrieved using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. This study offers an understanding of the role of AR in TNBC and further implicates miRNAs in mediating the effects of AR on TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoun Ahram
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
| | | | - Hassan Abushukair
- School of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Randa Bawadi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
| | - Maysa Al-Hussaini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan;
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Quintero JC, Díaz NF, Rodríguez-Dorantes M, Camacho-Arroyo I. Cancer Stem Cells and Androgen Receptor Signaling: Partners in Disease Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15085. [PMID: 37894767 PMCID: PMC10606328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015085] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells exhibit self-renewal, tumorigenesis, and a high differentiation potential. These cells have been detected in every type of cancer, and different signaling pathways can regulate their maintenance and proliferation. Androgen receptor signaling plays a relevant role in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer, promoting cell growth and differentiation processes. However, in the case of prostate cancer stem cells, the androgen receptor negatively regulates their maintenance and self-renewal. On the other hand, there is evidence that androgen receptor activity positively regulates the generation of cancer stem cells in other types of neoplasia, such as breast cancer or glioblastoma. Thus, the androgen receptor role in cancer stem cells depends on the cellular context. We aimed to analyze androgen receptor signaling in the maintenance and self-renewal of different types of cancer stem cells and its action on the expression of transcription factors and surface markers associated with stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Quintero
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
| | - Néstor Fabián Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
| | | | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
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Elias AD, Spoelstra NS, Staley AW, Sams S, Crump LS, Vidal GA, Borges VF, Kabos P, Diamond JR, Shagisultanova E, Afghahi A, Mayordomo J, McSpadden T, Crawford G, D'Alessandro A, Zolman KL, van Bokhoven A, Zhuang Y, Gallagher RI, Wulfkuhle JD, Petricoin Iii EF, Gao D, Richer JK. Phase II trial of fulvestrant plus enzalutamide in ER+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:41. [PMID: 37210417 PMCID: PMC10199936 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00544-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This clinical trial combined fulvestrant with the anti-androgen enzalutamide in women with metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer (BC). Eligible patients were women with ECOG 0-2, ER+/HER2- measurable or evaluable metastatic BC. Prior fulvestrant was allowed. Fulvestrant was administered at 500 mg IM on days 1, 15, 29, and every 4 weeks thereafter. Enzalutamide was given at 160 mg po daily. Fresh tumor biopsies were required at study entry and after 4 weeks of treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial was the clinical benefit rate at 24 weeks (CBR24). The median age was 61 years (46-87); PS 1 (0-1); median of 4 prior non-hormonal and 3 prior hormonal therapies for metastatic disease. Twelve had prior fulvestrant, and 91% had visceral disease. CBR24 was 25% (7/28 evaluable). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 weeks (95% CI: 2-52). Adverse events were as expected for hormonal therapy. Significant (p < 0.1) univariate relationships existed between PFS and ER%, AR%, and PIK3CA and/or PTEN mutations. Baseline levels of phospho-proteins in the mTOR pathway were more highly expressed in biopsies of patients with shorter PFS. Fulvestrant plus enzalutamide had manageable side effects. The primary endpoint of CBR24 was 25% in heavily pretreated metastatic ER+/HER2- BC. Short PFS was associated with activation of the mTOR pathway, and PIK3CA and/or PTEN mutations were associated with an increased hazard of progression. Thus, a combination of fulvestrant or other SERD plus AKT/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor with or without AR inhibition warrants investigation in second-line endocrine therapy of metastatic ER+ BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Elias
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alyse W Staley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sharon Sams
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lyndsey S Crump
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Gregory A Vidal
- West Cancer Center and Research Institute and Dept of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Germantown, TN, USA
| | - Virginia F Borges
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter Kabos
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer R Diamond
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elena Shagisultanova
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anosheh Afghahi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jose Mayordomo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tessa McSpadden
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Oncology Clinical Research Support Team, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Gloria Crawford
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Cancer Clinical Trials Office, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathryn L Zolman
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adrie van Bokhoven
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yonghua Zhuang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rosa I Gallagher
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Julia D Wulfkuhle
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin Iii
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Dexiang Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Fernández NB, Sosa SM, Roberts JT, Recouvreux MS, Rocha-Viegas L, Christenson JL, Spoelstra NS, Couto FL, Raimondi AR, Richer JK, Rubinstein N. RUNX1 Is Regulated by Androgen Receptor to Promote Cancer Stem Markers and Chemotherapy Resistance in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030444. [PMID: 36766786 PMCID: PMC9913961 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype for which no effective targeted therapies are available. Growing evidence suggests that chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells with stem-like properties (CSC) may repopulate the tumor. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in up to 50% of TNBCs, and AR inhibition decreases CSC and tumor initiation. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) correlates with poor prognosis in TNBC and is regulated by the AR in prostate cancer. Our group has shown that RUNX1 promotes TNBC cell migration and regulates tumor gene expression. We hypothesized that RUNX1 is regulated by the AR and that both may work together in TNBC CSC to promote disease recurrence following chemotherapy. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments in MDA-MB-453 revealed AR binding to RUNX1 regulatory regions. RUNX1 expression is upregulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in MDA-MB-453 and in an AR+-TNBC HCI-009 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors (p < 0.05). RUNX1 is increased in a CSC-like experimental model in MDA-MB-453 and SUM-159PT cells (p < 0.05). Inhibition of RUNX1 transcriptional activity reduced the expression of CSC markers. Interestingly, RUNX1 inhibition reduced cell viability and enhanced paclitaxel and enzalutamide sensitivity. Targeting RUNX1 may be an attractive strategy to potentiate the anti-tumor effects of AR inhibition, specifically in the slow-growing CSC-like populations that resist chemotherapy which lead to metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia B. Fernández
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
| | - Sofía M. Sosa
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
| | - Justin T. Roberts
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - María S. Recouvreux
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Luciana Rocha-Viegas
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-UBA-CONICET), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Jessica L. Christenson
- Department of Pathology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nicole S. Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Facundo L. Couto
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Ana R. Raimondi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-UBA-CONICET), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Jennifer K. Richer
- Department of Pathology, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Natalia Rubinstein
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
- Correspondence:
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Nepali PR, Kyprianou N. Anoikis in phenotypic reprogramming of the prostate tumor microenvironment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1160267. [PMID: 37091854 PMCID: PMC10113530 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1160267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in males wherein 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. The urgency to find novel therapeutic interventions is associated with high treatment resistance and mortality rates associated with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Anoikis is an apoptotic phenomenon for normal epithelial or endothelial cells that have lost their attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Tumor cells that lose their connection to the ECM can die via apoptosis or survive via anoikis resistance and thus escaping to distant organs for metastatic progression. This review discusses the recent advances made in our understanding of the signaling effectors of anoikis in prostate cancer and the approaches to translate these mechanistic insights into therapeutic benefits for reducing lethal disease outcomes (by overcoming anoikis resistance). The prostate tumor microenvironment is a highly dynamic landscape wherein the balance between androgen signaling, cell lineage changes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix interactions, actin cytoskeleton remodeling as well as metabolic changes, confer anoikis resistance and metastatic spread. Thus, these mechanisms also offer unique molecular treatment signatures, exploitation of which can prime prostate tumors to anoikis induction with a high translational significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna R. Nepali
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Natasha Kyprianou
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Natasha Kyprianou,
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Azumah R, Liu M, Hummitzsch K, Bastian NA, Hartanti MD, Irving-Rodgers HF, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1244-1254. [PMID: 35413103 PMCID: PMC9156849 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could changes in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling during foetal ovary development alter the expression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) candidate genes leading to a predisposition to PCOS? SUMMARY ANSWER TGFβ signalling molecules are dynamically expressed during foetal ovary development and TGFβ1 inhibits expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and 7 (INSR, C8H9orf3, RAD50, ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16) of the 25 PCOS candidate genes in foetal ovarian fibroblasts in vitro, whilst increasing expression of the AR cofactor TGFβ-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1 or Hic5). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The ovarian stroma arises from the mesonephros during foetal ovary development. Changes in the morphology of the ovarian stroma are cardinal features of PCOS. The ovary is more fibrous and has more tunica and cortical and subcortical stroma. It is not known why this is and when this arises. PCOS has a foetal origin and perhaps ovarian stroma development is altered during foetal life to determine the formation of a polycystic ovary later in life. PCOS also has a genetic origin with 19 loci containing 25 PCOS candidate genes. In many adult tissues, TGFβ is known to stimulate fibroblast replication and collagen deposition in stroma, though it has the opposite effect in the non-scaring foetal tissues. Our previous studies showed that TGFβ signalling molecules [TGFβs and their receptors, latent TGFβ binding proteins (LTBPs) and fibrillins, which are extracellular matrix proteins that bind LTBPs] are expressed in foetal ovaries. Also, we previously showed that TGFβ1 inhibited expression of AR and 3 PCOS candidate genes (INSR, C8H9orf3 and RAD50) and stimulated expression of TGFB1I1 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We used Bos taurus for this study as we can ethically collect foetal ovaries from across the full 9-month gestational period. Foetal ovaries (62–276 days, n = 19) from across gestation were collected from pregnant B. taurus cows for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses. Foetal ovaries from B. taurus cows were collected (160–198 days, n = 6) for culture of ovarian fibroblasts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS RNA-seq transcriptome profiling was performed on foetal ovaries and the data on genes involved in TGFβ signalling were extracted. Cells were dispersed from foetal ovaries and fibroblasts cultured and treated with TGFβ1. The effects of TGFβ regulation on the remaining eight PCOS candidate genes not previously studied (ERBB3, MAPRE1, FDFT1, NEIL2, ARL14EP, PLGRKT, IRF1 and ZBTB16) were examined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Many TGFβ signalling molecules are expressed in the foetal ovary, and for most, their expression levels increased accross gestation (LTBP1/2/3/4, FBN1, TGFB2/3, TGFBR2/3 and TGFB1I1), while a few decreased (FBN3, TGFBR3L, TGFBI and TGFB1) and others remained relatively constant (TGFBRAP1, TGFBR1 and FBN2). TGFβ1 significantly decreased expression of PCOS candidate genes ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. LARGE SCALE DATA The FASTQ files, normalized data and experimental information have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) accessible by accession number GSE178450. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Regulation of PCOS candidate genes by TGFβ was carried out in vitro and further studies in vivo are required. This study was carried out in bovine where foetal ovaries from across all of the 9-month gestational period were available, unlike in the human where it is not ethically possible to obtain ovaries from the second half of gestation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS From our current and previous results we speculate that inhibition of TGFβ signalling in the foetal ovary is likely to (i) increase androgen sensitivity by enhancing expression of AR, (ii) increase stromal activity by stimulating expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 and (iii) increase the expression of 7 of the 25 PCOS candidate genes. Thus inhibition of TGFβ signalling could be part of the aetiology of PCOS or at least the aetiology of polycystic ovaries. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was received from Adelaide University China Fee Scholarship (M.L.), Australian Research Training Program (R.A.) and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science Divisional Scholarship (R.A.), Adelaide Graduate Research Scholarships (R.A. and N.A.B.), Australia Awards Scholarship (M.D.H.), Robinson Research Institute Career Development Fellowship (K.H.) and Building On Ideas Grant (K.H.), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Centre for Research Excellence in the Evaluation, Management and Health Care Needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (N.A.B., M.D.H. and R.J.R.; GTN1078444) and the Centre for Research Excellence on Women’s Health in Reproductive life (R.A., R.J.R. and K.H.; GTN1171592) and the UK Medical Research Council (R.A.A.; grant no. G1100357). The funders did not play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors of this manuscript have nothing to declare and no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katja Hummitzsch
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicole A Bastian
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monica D Hartanti
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Helen F Irving-Rodgers
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- Correspondence address. Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. E-mail:
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Hanamura T, Christenson JL, O'Neill KI, Rosas E, Spoelstra NS, Williams MM, Richer JK. Secreted indicators of androgen receptor activity in breast cancer pre-clinical models. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:102. [PMID: 34736512 PMCID: PMC8567567 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Accumulating evidence has attracted attention to the androgen receptor (AR) as a biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer. We hypothesized that AR activity within the tumor has clinical implications and investigated whether androgen responsive serum factors might serve as a minimally invasive indicator of tumor AR activity. METHODS Based on a comprehensive gene expression analysis of an AR-positive, triple negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, 163 dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-responsive genes were defined as an androgen responsive gene set. Among them, we focused on genes that were DHT-responsive that encode secreted proteins, namely KLK3, AZGP1 and PIP, that encode the secreted factors prostate specific antigen (PSA), zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) and prolactin induced protein (PIP), respectively. Using AR-positive breast cancer cell lines representing all breast cancer subtypes, expression of candidate factors was assessed in response to agonist DHT and antagonist enzalutamide. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on publically available gene expression datasets from breast cancer patients to analyze the relationship between genes encoding the secreted factors and other androgen responsive gene sets in each breast cancer subtype. RESULTS Anti-androgen treatment decreased proliferation in all cell lines tested representing various tumor subtypes. Expression of the secreted factors was regulated by AR activation in the majority of breast cancer cell lines. In GSEA, the candidate genes were positively correlated with an androgen responsive gene set across breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSION KLK3, AZGP1 and PIP are AR regulated and reflect tumor AR activity. Further investigations are needed to examine the potential efficacy of these factors as serum biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Hanamura
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jessica L Christenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kathleen I O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Emmanuel Rosas
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michelle M Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Sanches SM, Braun AC, Calsavara VF, Barbosa PNVP, Chinen LTD. Comparison of hormonal receptor expression and HER2 status between circulating tumor cells and breast cancer metastases. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2021; 76:e2971. [PMID: 34644733 PMCID: PMC8478133 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2021/e2971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women. Biopsy of metastatic lesions is recommended to confirm estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status as there are discrepancies in these patterns between primary tumors and metastases in up to 40% of the cases. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are related to BC outcomes and could potentially be an alternative to the invasive procedures of metastasis rebiopsy. ISET® technology is not currently employed to detect CTCs in patients with BC. Emerging data support that the characterization of CTC protein expression can refine its prognostic value. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a role in BC progression and invasiveness. Thus, in this study, we aimed to compare ER, PR, and HER2 expression in primary tumors, CTCs, and metastases and evaluate TGF-β type 1 receptor (TGF-β RI) expression in CTCs as prognostic factor for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS This prospective study was conducted at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Brazil. Blood samples were processed in ISET® (Isolation by SizE of Tumors, Rarecells, France) before computed tomography-guided biopsy of suspected metastatic lesions. Protein expression levels in CTCs were compared to those in primary tumors/metastases (medical records). RESULTS Of the 39 patients initially included, 27 underwent both biopsies of metastases and blood collection and were considered for analysis. The concordance rates for ER, PR, and HER2 expression between primary tumors and metastases were high. No loss of HER2 expression at any metastasis site and retention of the same pattern of protein expression in all triple-negative (TN) tumors (92.5%, 81.5% and 96.2% respectively) (p<0.0001) was observed. When metastases/CTCs were classified as TN/non-TN, CTCs showed high specificity (93%), accuracy (84.2%), and negative predictive value (88%). The median OS of patients without TGF-β RI expression in CTCs was 42.6 versus 20.8 months for TGF-β RI expression-positive ones (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The role of CTCs detected by ISET has not yet been established in BC. Here, we suggest that this methodology may be useful to evaluate metastasis in non-TN cases as well as TGF-β RI expression in CTCs, which may impact patient survival. Due to sample limitations, future studies must focus on specific BC subtypes and an expansion of the cohort.
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Archer M, Kyprianou N. Homeless Cells Escape Death and Deliver Lethal Cancer. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6129933. [PMID: 33550388 PMCID: PMC7901657 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maddison Archer
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Natasha Kyprianou
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Correspondence: Natasha Kyprianou, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Urology, 1425 Madison Ave, 6th Fl, L6-50, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Rosas E, Roberts JT, O’Neill KI, Christenson JL, Williams MM, Hanamura T, Spoelstra NS, Vahrenkamp JM, Gertz J, Richer JK. A Positive Feedback Loop Between TGFβ and Androgen Receptor Supports Triple-negative Breast Cancer Anoikis Resistance. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6027912. [PMID: 33294922 PMCID: PMC7806239 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with peak recurrence as metastatic disease within the first few years of diagnosis. Androgen receptor (AR) expression is increased in anchorage-independent cells in TNBC preclinical models. Both AR knockdown and inhibition lead to reduced TNBC invasion in vitro, reduced tumorigenicity, and less recurrence in vivo in preclinical models. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway gene signatures also increased during anchorage-independent survival both in vitro and in vivo in preclinical models and in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients during emergence of chemo resistant disease. We hypothesized that a positive loop between AR and TGFβ signaling facilitates TNBC anchorage-independent survival. We find that multiple components of the TGFβ pathway, including TGFβ1 and 3, as well as pathway activity measured by nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of phosphorylated Smad3, are enhanced in anchorage-independent conditions. Further, exogenous TGFβ increased AR protein while TGFβ inhibition decreased AR and TNBC viability, particularly under anchorage-independent culture conditions. ChIP-seq experiments revealed AR binding to TGFB1 and SMAD3 regulatory regions in MDA-MB-453 cells. In clinical datasets, TGFB3 and AR positively correlate and high expression of both genes together corresponded to significantly worse recurrence-free and overall survival in both ER-negative and basal-like breast cancer. Finally, inhibiting both AR and TGFβ decreased cell survival, particularly under anchorage-independent conditions. These findings warrant further investigations into whether combined inhibition of AR and TGFβ pathways might decrease metastatic recurrence rates and mortality from TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Rosas
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Justin T Roberts
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathleen I O’Neill
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jessica L Christenson
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michelle M Williams
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Toru Hanamura
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nicole S Spoelstra
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jeffery M Vahrenkamp
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Correspondence: Jennifer K. Richer, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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