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Venkadakrishnan VB, Yamada Y, Weng K, Idahor O, Beltran H. Significance of RB Loss in Unlocking Phenotypic Plasticity in Advanced Cancers. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:497-510. [PMID: 37052520 PMCID: PMC10239360 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells can undergo plasticity in response to environmental stimuli or under selective therapeutic pressures that result in changes in phenotype. This complex phenomenon of phenotypic plasticity is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Lineage plasticity is often associated with loss of dependence on the original oncogenic driver and is facilitated, in part, by underlying genomic and epigenetic alterations. Understanding the molecular drivers of cancer plasticity is critical for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The retinoblastoma gene RB1 (encoding RB) is the first tumor suppressor gene to be discovered and has a well-described role in cell-cycle regulation. RB is also involved in diverse cellular functions beyond cell cycle including differentiation. Here, we describe the emerging role of RB loss in unlocking cancer phenotypic plasticity and driving therapy resistance across cancer types. We highlight parallels in cancer with the noncanonical role of RB that is critical for normal development and lineage specification, and the downstream consequences of RB loss including epigenetic reprogramming and chromatin reorganization that can lead to changes in lineage program. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches geared toward RB loss cancers undergoing lineage reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasutaka Yamada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kenny Weng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Osasenaga Idahor
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wander SA, O’Brien N, Litchfield LM, O’Dea D, Morato Guimaraes C, Slamon DJ, Goel S. Targeting CDK4 and 6 in Cancer Therapy: Emerging Preclinical Insights Related to Abemaciclib. Oncologist 2022; 27:811-821. [PMID: 35917168 PMCID: PMC9526495 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and 6) are approved for the treatment of subsets of patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC). In metastatic disease, strategies involving endocrine therapy combined with CDK4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4 and 6i) improve clinical outcomes in HR+ BCs. CDK4 and 6i prevent retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein phosphorylation, thereby blocking the transcription of E2F target genes, which in turn inhibits both mitogen and estrogen-mediated cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize preclinical data pertaining to the use of CDK4 and 6i in BC, with a particular focus on several of the unique chemical, pharmacologic, and mechanistic properties of abemaciclib. As research efforts elucidate the novel mechanisms underlying abemaciclib activity, potential new applications are being identified. For example, preclinical studies have demonstrated abemaciclib can exert antitumor activity against multiple tumor types and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Abemaciclib has also demonstrated distinct activity as a monotherapeutic in the treatment of BC. Accordingly, we also discuss how a greater understanding of mechanisms related to CDK4 and 6 blockade highlight abemaciclib's unique in-class properties, and could pave new avenues for enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Wander
- Seth Wander, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Neil O’Brien
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dennis J Slamon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shom Goel
- Corresponding author: Shom Goel, B Med Sci (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACP, PhD, Department of Cancer Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3000 Australia. Tel: +61 3 8559 8777; Fax: +61 3 8559 5039;
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3
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Wang Y, Yuan X, Li J, Liu Z, Li X, Wang Z, Wei L, Li Y, Wang X. The Synergistic Effects of SHR6390 Combined With Pyrotinib on HER2+/HR+ Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:785796. [PMID: 34977029 PMCID: PMC8716872 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.785796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HER2+/HR+ breast cancer is a special molecular type of breast cancer. Existing treatment methods are prone to resistance; “precision treatment” is necessary. Pyrotinib is a pan-her kinase inhibitor that can be used in HER2-positive tumors, while SHR6390 is a CDK4/6 inhibitor that can inhibit ER+ breast cancer cell cycle progression and cancer cell proliferation. In cancer cells, HER2 and CDK4/6 signaling pathways could be nonredundant; co-inhibition of both pathways by combination of SHR6390 and pyrotinib may have synergistic anticancer activity on HER2+/HR+ breast cancer. In this study, we determined the synergy of the two-drug combination and underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that the combination of SHR6390 and pyrotinib synergistically inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cells in vitro. The combination of two drugs induced G1/S phase arrest and apoptosis in HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cell lines. The combination of two drugs prolonged the time to tumor recurrence in the xenograft model system. By second-generation RNA sequencing technology and enrichment analysis of the pyrotinib-resistant cell line, we found that FOXM1 was associated with induced resistance to HER2-targeted therapy. In HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cell lines, the combination of the two drugs could further reduce FOXM1 phosphorylation, thereby enhancing the antitumor effect to a certain extent. These findings suggest that SHR6390 combination with pyrotinib suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HER2+/HR+ breast cancers through regulation of FOXM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Limin Wei
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Yuanpei Li
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Xinshuai Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- *Correspondence: Xinshuai Wang,
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4
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Tadesse S, Anshabo AT, Portman N, Lim E, Tilley W, Caldon CE, Wang S. Targeting CDK2 in cancer: challenges and opportunities for therapy. Drug Discov Today 2019; 25:406-413. [PMID: 31839441 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) plays a pivotal part in cell cycle regulation and is involved in a range of biological processes. CDK2 interacts with and phosphorylates proteins in pathways such as DNA damage, intracellular transport, protein degradation, signal transduction, DNA and RNA metabolism and translation. CDK2 and its regulatory subunits are deregulated in many human cancers and there is emerging evidence suggesting CDK2 inhibition elicits antitumor activity in a subset of tumors with defined genetic features. Previous CDK2 inhibitors were nonspecific and limited by off-target effects. The development of new-generation CDK2 inhibitors represents a therapeutic opportunity for CDK2-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Tadesse
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Departement of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abel T Anshabo
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Neil Portman
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Wayne Tilley
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - C Elizabeth Caldon
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Shudong Wang
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
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Tonsing-Carter E, Hernandez KM, Kim CR, Harkless RV, Oh A, Bowie KR, West-Szymanski DC, Betancourt-Ponce MA, Green BD, Lastra RR, Fleming GF, Chandarlapaty S, Conzen SD. Glucocorticoid receptor modulation decreases ER-positive breast cancer cell proliferation and suppresses wild-type and mutant ER chromatin association. Breast Cancer Res 2019; 21:82. [PMID: 31340854 PMCID: PMC6651939 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-019-1164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-ER nuclear receptor activity can alter estrogen receptor (ER) chromatin association and resultant ER-mediated transcription. Consistent with GR modulation of ER activity, high tumor glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression correlates with improved relapse-free survival in ER+ breast cancer (BC) patients. Methods In vitro cell proliferation assays were used to assess ER-mediated BC cell proliferation following GR modulation. ER chromatin association following ER/GR co-liganding was measured using global ChIP sequencing and directed ChIP analysis of proliferative gene enhancers. Results We found that GR liganding with either a pure agonist or a selective GR modulator (SGRM) slowed estradiol (E2)-mediated proliferation in ER+ BC models. SGRMs that antagonized transcription of GR-unique genes both promoted GR chromatin association and inhibited ER chromatin localization at common DNA enhancer sites. Gene expression analysis revealed that ER and GR co-activation decreased proliferative gene activation (compared to ER activation alone), specifically reducing CCND1, CDK2, and CDK6 gene expression. We also found that ligand-dependent GR occupancy of common ER-bound enhancer regions suppressed both wild-type and mutant ER chromatin association and decreased corresponding gene expression. In vivo, treatment with structurally diverse SGRMs also reduced MCF-7 Y537S ER-expressing BC xenograft growth. Conclusion These studies demonstrate that liganded GR can suppress ER chromatin occupancy at shared ER-regulated enhancers, including CCND1 (Cyclin D1), regardless of whether the ligand is a classic GR agonist or antagonist. Resulting GR-mediated suppression of ER+ BC proliferative gene expression and cell division suggests that SGRMs could decrease ER-driven gene expression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-019-1164-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tonsing-Carter
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Kyle M Hernandez
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Caroline R Kim
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ryan V Harkless
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Alyce Oh
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Kathleen R Bowie
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | | | - Bradley D Green
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 900 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ricardo R Lastra
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Gini F Fleming
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Suzanne D Conzen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. .,Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 900 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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6
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Wang T, Ha M. Silencing ARHGAP9 correlates with the risk of breast cancer and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:7747-7756. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Wang
- Department of Oncology The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University Jinzhou China
| | - Minwen Ha
- Department of Oncology The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University Jinzhou China
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8
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The prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor SUAM-14746 attenuates the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Breast Cancer 2017; 24:658-666. [DOI: 10.1007/s12282-017-0752-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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9
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Alves CL, Elias D, Lyng M, Bak M, Kirkegaard T, Lykkesfeldt AE, Ditzel HJ. High CDK6 Protects Cells from Fulvestrant-Mediated Apoptosis and is a Predictor of Resistance to Fulvestrant in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:5514-5526. [PMID: 27252418 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Resistance to endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer remains a major clinical problem. Recently, the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib combined with letrozole or fulvestrant was approved for treatment of ER+ advanced breast cancer. However, the role of CDK4/6 in endocrine resistance and their potential as predictive biomarkers of endocrine treatment response remains undefined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We investigated the specific role of increased CDK6 expression in fulvestrant-resistant cells by gene knockdown and treatment with palbociclib, and evaluated the effect in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and kinase activity. Furthermore, we evaluated CDK6 expression in metastatic samples from breast cancer patients treated or not with fulvestrant. RESULTS We found increased expression of CDK6 in two fulvestrant-resistant cell models versus sensitive cells. Reduction of CDK6 expression impaired fulvestrant-resistant cell growth and induced apoptosis. Treatment with palbociclib resensitized fulvestrant-resistant cells to fulvestrant through alteration of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. High CDK6 levels in metastatic samples from two independent cohorts of breast cancer patients treated with fulvestrant (N = 45 and 46) correlated significantly with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) on fulvestrant treatment (P = 0.0006 and 0.018), whereas no association was observed in patients receiving other first- or second-/third-line endocrine treatments (N = 68, P = 0.135 and 0.511, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that upregulation of CDK6 may be an important mechanism in overcoming fulvestrant-mediated growth inhibition in breast cancer cells. Patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer exhibiting high CDK6 expression in the metastatic lesions show shorter PFS upon fulvestrant treatment and thus may benefit from the addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors in their therapeutic regimens. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5514-26. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla L Alves
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Daniel Elias
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Lyng
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Bak
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tove Kirkegaard
- Breast Cancer Group, Cell Death and Metabolism, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Surgery, Koege Hospital, Koege, Denmark
| | - Anne E Lykkesfeldt
- Breast Cancer Group, Cell Death and Metabolism, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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10
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Finn RS, Aleshin A, Slamon DJ. Targeting the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Breast Cancer Res 2016; 18:17. [PMID: 26857361 PMCID: PMC4746893 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-015-0661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in early detection and treatment, breast cancer still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality for women. Our understanding of the molecular heterogeneity of the disease has significantly expanded over the past decade and the role of cell cycle signaling in both breast cancer oncogenesis and anti-estrogen resistance has gained increasing attention. The mammalian cell cycle is driven by a complex interplay between cyclins and their associated cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) partners, and dysregulation of this process is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Despite this, initial results with broadly acting CDK inhibitors were largely disappointing. However, recent preclinical and phase I/II clinical studies using a novel, oral, reversible CDK4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib (PD-0332991), have validated the role of CDK4/6 as a potential target in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. This review highlights our current understanding of CDK signaling in both normal and malignant breast tissues, with special attention placed on recent clinical advances in inhibition of CDK4/6 in ER+ disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Finn
- Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, 2825 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
| | - Alexey Aleshin
- Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, 2825 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Dennis J Slamon
- Stanford School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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11
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Abstract
Seventy five percent of all breast cancer (BC) patients express estrogen receptor (ER) but a quarter to half of patients with ER positive BC relapse on ET (endocrine therapy), tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors (AIs), surgical castration, amongst other treatment strategies. ER positive BC at relapse loses ER expression in 20 % of cases and reduces quantitative ER expression most of the time. ER is not the only survival pathway driving ER positive BC and escape pathways intrinsic or acquired are activated during ET. This overview gives an account of ligand-independent ER activation, namely by receptor networks cross talk, and by the various genomic factors and mechanisms leading to ET response failure. Also the mechanisms of Her1 and Her2 inhibition resistance are dealt within this overview, along with the therapeutic indications and limitations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK/MAPK inhibitors, and antiangiogenic drugs. In spite of the many advances in controlling the division of BC cells and the progression of BC tumors these still remain the main cause of death among women in age range of 20-50 years requiring even more efforts in new therapeutic approaches besides the drugs within the scope of the overview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Braga
- José de Mello Saúde, Avenida Do Forte Edifício Suécia III, Piso 2, Carnaxide, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, Algarve, Portugal.
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Walter W, Thomalla J, Bruhn J, Fagan DH, Zehowski C, Yee D, Skildum A. Altered regulation of PDK4 expression promotes antiestrogen resistance in human breast cancer cells. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:689. [PMID: 26576332 PMCID: PMC4641142 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Acquired or de novo resistance to the selective estrogen receptor modulators tamoxifen and fulvestrant (ICI) is a major barrier to successful treatment of breast cancer. Gene expression patterns in tamoxifen resistant (TamR-MCF-7) cells were compared to their parental cells (MCF-7L) to identify an aberrantly regulated metabolic pathway. TamR-MCF-7 cells are cross resistant to ICI and doxorubicin, and have increased mitochondrial DNA. A small subset of genes had altered expression in TamR-MCF-7 relative to MCF-7L cells. One of the genes, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK4), phosphorylates pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). PDK4 expression was elevated in TamR-MCF-7 cells; this result was also observed in a second model of acquired antiestrogen resistance. PDK4 expression is controlled in part by glucocorticoid response elements in the PDK4 gene promoter. In MCF-7L cells, PDK4 mRNA expression was insensitive to glucocorticoid receptor agonists, while dexamethasone dramatically increased PDK4 expression in TamR-MCF-7 cells. Using siRNA to knock down PDK4 expression increased TamR-MCF-7 sensitivity to ICI; in contrast adapting cells to growth in glucose depleted media did not affect ICI sensitivity. Despite TamR-MCF-7 cells high levels of PDK4 mRNA relative to MCF-7L, TamR-MCF-7 cells have increased PDH activity. Wild type MCF-7 cells are reported to be heterozygous for a G to A mutation that results in a substitution of threonine for alanine near PDK4′s catalytic site. We found loss of heterozygosity in TamR-MCF-7 cells; TamR-MCF-7 are homozygous for the wild type allele. These data support a role for altered regulation of PDH by PDK4 and altered substrate utilization in the development of drug resistance in human breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Walter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN USA
| | - Jennifer Thomalla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN USA
| | - Josh Bruhn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN USA
| | - Dedra H Fagan
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Cheryl Zehowski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN USA
| | - Douglas Yee
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Andrew Skildum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN USA ; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
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Lou X, Zhang J, Liu S, Xu N, Liao DJ. The other side of the coin: the tumor-suppressive aspect of oncogenes and the oncogenic aspect of tumor-suppressive genes, such as those along the CCND-CDK4/6-RB axis. Cell Cycle 2014; 13:1677-93. [PMID: 24799665 DOI: 10.4161/cc.29082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cancer-regulatory genes are dichotomized to oncogenes and tumor-suppressor gene s, in reality they can be oncogenic in one situation but tumor-suppressive in another. This dual-function nature, which sometimes hampers our understanding of tumor biology, has several manifestations: (1) Most canonically defined genes have multiple mRNAs, regulatory RNAs, protein isoforms, and posttranslational modifications; (2) Genes may interact at different levels, such as by forming chimeric RNAs or by forming different protein complexes; (3) Increased levels of tumor-suppressive genes in normal cells drive proliferation of cancer progenitor cells in the same organ or tissue by imposing compensatory proliferation pressure, which presents the dual-function nature as a cell-cell interaction. All these manifestations of dual functions can find examples in the genes along the CCND-CDK4/6-RB axis. The dual-function nature also underlies the heterogeneity of cancer cells. Gene-targeting chemotherapies, including that targets CDK4, are effective to some cancer cells but in the meantime may promote growth or progression of some others in the same patient. Redefining "gene" by considering each mRNA, regulatory RNA, protein isoform, and posttranslational modification from the same genomic locus as a "gene" may help in better understanding tumor biology and better selecting targets for different sub-populations of cancer cells in individual patients for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Lou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information; Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing, PR China
| | - Ju Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information; Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing, PR China
| | - Siqi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information; Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing, PR China
| | - Ningzhi Xu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology; Cancer Institute; Chinese Academy of Medical Science; Beijing, PR China
| | - D Joshua Liao
- Hormel Institute; University of Minnesota; Austin, MN USA
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Luteolin sensitises drug-resistant human breast cancer cells to tamoxifen via the inhibition of cyclin E2 expression. Food Chem 2013; 141:1553-61. [PMID: 23790951 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Luteolin is a flavonoid that has been identified in many plant tissues and exhibits chemopreventive or chemosensitising properties against human breast cancer. However, the oncogenic molecules in human breast cancer cells that are inhibited by luteolin treatment have not been identified. This study found that the level of cyclin E2 (CCNE2) mRNA was higher in tumour cells (4.89-fold, (∗)P=0.005) than in normal paired tissue samples as assessed using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis (n=257). Further, relatively high levels of CCNE2 protein expression were detected in tamoxifen-resistant (TAM-R) MCF-7 cells. These results showed that the level of CCNE2 protein expression was specifically inhibited in luteolin-treated (5μM) TAM-R cells, either in the presence or absence of 4-OH-TAM (100nM). Combined treatment with 4-OH-TAM and luteolin synergistically sensitised the TAM-R cells to 4-OH-TAM. The results of this study suggest that luteolin can be used as a chemosensitiser to target the expression level of CCNE2 and that it could be a novel strategy to overcome TAM resistance in breast cancer patients.
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Caldon CE, Sergio CM, Kang J, Muthukaruppan A, Boersma MN, Stone A, Barraclough J, Lee CS, Black MA, Miller LD, Gee JM, Nicholson RI, Sutherland RL, Print CG, Musgrove EA. Cyclin E2 Overexpression Is Associated with Endocrine Resistance but not Insensitivity to CDK2 Inhibition in Human Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2012; 11:1488-99. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Nair BC, Vallabhaneni S, Tekmal RR, Vadlamudi RK. Roscovitine confers tumor suppressive effect on therapy-resistant breast tumor cells. Breast Cancer Res 2011; 13:R80. [PMID: 21834972 PMCID: PMC3218960 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Current clinical strategies for treating hormonal breast cancer involve the use of anti-estrogens that block estrogen receptor (ER)α functions and aromatase inhibitors that decrease local and systemic estrogen production. Both of these strategies improve outcomes for ERα-positive breast cancer patients, however, development of therapy resistance remains a major clinical problem. Divergent molecular pathways have been described for this resistant phenotype and interestingly, the majority of downstream events in these resistance pathways converge upon the modulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins including aberrant activation of cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). In this study, we examined whether the CDK inhibitor roscovitine confers a tumor suppressive effect on therapy-resistant breast epithelial cells. Methods Using various in vitro and in vivo assays, we tested the effect of roscovitine on three hormonal therapy-resistant model cells: (a) MCF-7-TamR (acquired tamoxifen resistance model); (b) MCF-7-LTLTca (acquired letrozole resistance model); and (c) MCF-7-HER2 that exhibit tamoxifen resistance (ER-growth factor signaling cross talk model). Results Hormonal therapy-resistant cells exhibited aberrant activation of the CDK2 pathway. Roscovitine at a dose of 20 μM significantly inhibited the cell proliferation rate and foci formation potential of all three therapy-resistant cells. The drug treatment substantially increased the proportion of cells in G2/M cell cycle phase with decreased CDK2 activity and promoted low cyclin D1 levels. Interestingly, roscovitine also preferentially down regulated the ERα isoform and ER-coregulators including AIB1 and PELP1. Results from xenograft studies further showed that roscovitine can attenuate growth of therapy-resistant tumors in vivo. Conclusions Roscovitine can reduce cell proliferation and survival of hormone therapy-resistant breast cancer cells. Our results support the emerging concept that inhibition of CDK2 activity has the potential to abrogate growth of hormonal therapy-resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binoj C Nair
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CTRC at UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
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Thangavel C, Dean JL, Ertel A, Knudsen KE, Aldaz CM, Witkiewicz AK, Clarke R, Knudsen ES. Therapeutically activating RB: reestablishing cell cycle control in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2011; 18:333-45. [PMID: 21367843 PMCID: PMC3624623 DOI: 10.1530/erc-10-0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The majority of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers are treated with endocrine therapy. While this is effective, acquired resistance to therapies targeted against ER is a major clinical challenge. Here, model systems of ER-positive breast cancers with differential susceptibility to endocrine therapy were employed to define common nodes for new therapeutic interventions. These analyses revealed that cell cycle progression is effectively uncoupled from the activity and functional state of ER in these models. In this context, cyclin D1 expression and retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) phosphorylation are maintained even with efficient ablation of ER with pure antagonists. These therapy-resistant models recapitulate a key feature of deregulated RB/E2F transcriptional control. Correspondingly, a gene expression signature of RB-dysfunction is associated with luminal B breast cancer, which exhibits a relatively poor response to endocrine therapy. These collective findings suggest that suppression of cyclin D-supported kinase activity and restoration of RB-mediated transcriptional repression could represent a viable therapeutic option in tumors that fail to respond to hormone-based therapies. Consistent with this hypothesis, a highly selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, PD-0332991, was effective at suppressing the proliferation of all hormone refractory models analyzed. Importantly, PD-0332991 led to a stable cell cycle arrest that was fundamentally distinct from those elicited by ER antagonists, and was capable of inducing aspects of cellular senescence in hormone therapy refractory cell populations. These findings underscore the clinical utility of downstream cytostatic therapies in treating tumors that have experienced failure of endocrine therapy.
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Johnson N, Bentley J, Wang LZ, Newell DR, Robson CN, Shapiro GI, Curtin NJ. Pre-clinical evaluation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and 1 inhibition in anti-estrogen-sensitive and resistant breast cancer cells. Br J Cancer 2009; 102:342-50. [PMID: 20010939 PMCID: PMC2816653 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular proliferation, driven by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their cyclin partners, is deregulated in cancer. Anti-estrogens, such as tamoxifen, antagonise estrogen-induced ERalpha transactivation of cyclin D1, resulting in reduced CDK4/6 activity, p27(Kip1)-mediated inhibition of CDK2 and growth arrest. We hypothesised that direct inhibition of CDK2 and CDK1 may overcome the major clinical problem of anti-estrogen resistance. METHODS The cellular effects of CDK2/1 siRNA knockdown and purine-based CDK2/1 inhibitors, NU2058 and NU6102, were measured in anti-estrogen-sensitive and resistant breast cancer cell lines. RESULTS CDK2 knockdown caused G1 accumulation, whereas CDK1 depletion caused G2/M slowing, and dual CDK1/2 depletion resulted in further G2/M accumulation and cell death in both anti-estrogen-sensitive and resistant cells, confirming CDK2 and CDK1 as targets for breast cancer therapy. In contrast to tamoxifen, which only affected hormone-sensitive cells, NU2058 and NU6102 reduced CDK2-mediated phosphorylation of pRb, E2F transcriptional activity and proliferation, ultimately resulting in cell death, in both anti-estrogen-sensitive and resistant cells. Both drugs caused G2/M arrest, reflective of combined CDK2/1 knockdown, with a variable degree of G1 accumulation. CONCLUSION These studies confirm the therapeutic potential of CDK2 and CDK1 inhibitors for cancer therapy, and support their use as an alternative treatment for endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Johnson
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Paul O' Gorman Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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Abstract
Endocrine therapies targeting oestrogen action (anti-oestrogens, such as tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors) decrease mortality from breast cancer, but their efficacy is limited by intrinsic and acquired therapeutic resistance. Candidate molecular biomarkers and gene expression signatures of tamoxifen response emphasize the importance of deregulation of proliferation and survival signalling in endocrine resistance. However, definition of the specific genetic lesions and molecular processes that determine clinical endocrine resistance is incomplete. The development of large-scale computational and genetic approaches offers the promise of identifying the mediators of endocrine resistance that may be exploited as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers of response in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Musgrove
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
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Abstract
During estrogen-induced proliferation, c-Myc and cyclin D1 initiate independent pathways that activate cyclin E1-Cdk2 by sequestration and/or downregulation of the CDK inhibitor p21(Waf1/Cip1), without significant increases in cyclin E1 protein levels. In contrast, cyclin E2 undergoes a marked increase in expression, which occurs within 9 to 12 h of estrogen treatment of antiestrogen-pretreated MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Both E cyclins are important to estrogen action, as small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of either cyclin E1 or cyclin E2 attenuated estrogen-mediated proliferation. Inducible expression of cyclin D1 upregulated cyclin E2, while siRNA-mediated knockdown of cyclin D1 attenuated estrogen effects on cyclin E2. However, manipulation of c-Myc levels did not profoundly affect cyclin E2. Cyclin E2 induction by estrogen was accompanied by recruitment of E2F1 to the cyclin E1 and E2 promoters, and cyclin D1 induction was sufficient for E2F1 recruitment. siRNA-mediated knockdown of the chromatin remodelling factor CHD8 prevented cyclin E2 upregulation. Together, these data indicate that cyclin E2-Cdk2 activation by estrogen occurs via E2F- and CHD8-mediated transcription of cyclin E2 downstream of cyclin D1. This contrasts with the predominant regulation of cyclin E1-Cdk2 activity via CDK inhibitor association downstream of both c-Myc and cyclin D1 and indicates that cyclins E1 and E2 are not always coordinately regulated.
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New insights into the functions and regulation of the transcriptional corepressors SMRT and N-CoR. Cell Div 2009; 4:7. [PMID: 19383165 PMCID: PMC2678994 DOI: 10.1186/1747-1028-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2009] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Corepressors are large proteins that facilitate transcriptional repression through recruitment of histone-modifying enzymes. Two major corepressors, SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors) and N-CoR (nuclear receptor corepressor), have been shown to mediate repression associated with nuclear receptors and a myriad of other transcription factors. This review will focus on recent studies on these proteins, including newly discovered physiological roles of the corepressors, their modes of regulation, their roles in antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer and their functions during the cell cycle.
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Abstract
Despite the proven benefit of antiestrogen drugs in breast cancer treatment, resistant disease ultimately develops in advanced breast cancer. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Iorns et al. find that loss of CDK10 expression promotes resistance of cells to tamoxifen and is associated with poor outcome in breast cancer patients treated with the drug. CDK10 loss increases the activity of the transcription factor ETS2 on the promoter of the RAF1 gene, elevating ERK/MAPK kinase pathway activity and relieving tamoxifen-induced G1 arrest. CDK10 is thus a potential biomarker for sensitivity in prospective clinical trials of patients treated with endocrine therapies.
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Nair BC, Vadlamudi RK. Regulation of hormonal therapy resistance by cell cycle machinery. GENE THERAPY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 12:395. [PMID: 20148177 PMCID: PMC2817953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor (ER) plays a central role in the development and progression of breast cancer. Hormonal therapy substantially improves disease-free survival of ER+ve breast tumors, however acquired resistance to endocrine therapies frequently occur. Emerging data implicate growth factor signaling pathways and their cross talk with ER as major cause of resistance. Both these pathways have been recently shown to use cell cycle machinery as downstream effectors in mediating therapy resistance. Several studies have demonstrated deregulation of cell cycle regulators and their cross talk with ER in therapy resistant tumors. The objective of this article is to review the underlying mechanisms by which tumor cells use cell cycle machinery to override hormonal therapy and to explore cell cycle machinery components as novel therapy targets for overcoming hormonal therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ratna K. Vadlamudi
- Correspondence: Ratna K. Vadlamudi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center , Floyd curl drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229−3900, USA; Tel: 210−567−4930; Fax: 210−567−4958; e-mail:
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