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Ottenbourgs T, Van Nieuwenhuysen E. Novel Endocrine Therapeutic Opportunities for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Ovarian Cancer-What Can We Learn from Breast Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1862. [PMID: 38791941 PMCID: PMC11119209 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a rare ovarian malignancy primarily affecting younger women and is characterized by an indolent growth pattern. It exhibits indolent growth and high estrogen/progesterone receptor expression, suggesting potential responsiveness to endocrine therapy. However, treatment efficacy remains limited due to the development of endocrine resistance. The mechanisms of resistance, whether primary or acquired, are still largely unknown and present a significant hurdle in achieving favorable treatment outcomes with endocrine therapy in these patients. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, mechanisms of endocrine resistance have been largely explored and novel treatment strategies to overcome resistance have emerged. Considering the shared estrogen receptor positivity in LGSOC and breast cancer, we wanted to explore whether there are any parallel mechanisms of resistance and whether we can extend endocrine breast cancer treatments to LGSOC. This review aims to highlight the underlying molecular mechanisms possibly driving endocrine resistance in ovarian cancer, while also exploring the available therapeutic opportunities to overcome this resistance. By unraveling the potential pathways involved and examining emerging strategies, this review explores valuable insights for advancing treatment options and improving patient outcomes in LGSOC, which has limited therapeutic options available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine Ottenbourgs
- Gynaecological Oncology Laboratory, KU Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Els Van Nieuwenhuysen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals Leuven, BGOG and Leuven Cancer Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Ng CW, Tsang YTM, Gershenson DM, Wong KK. The prognostic value of MEK pathway-associated estrogen receptor signaling activity for female cancers. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1875-1884. [PMID: 38582811 PMCID: PMC11130254 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02668-w] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Other than for breast cancer, endocrine therapy has not been highly effective for gynecologic cancers. Endocrine therapy resistance in estrogen receptor positive gynecologic cancers is still poorly understood. In this retrospective study, we examined the estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathway activities of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers to identify those that may predict endocrine therapy responsiveness. METHODS Clinical and genomic data of women with breast and gynecological cancers were downloaded from cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics. Estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) expression level and sample-level pathway enrichment scores (EERES) were calculated to classify patients into four groups (low/high ESR1 and low/high EERES). Correlation between ESR1/EERES score and survival was further validated with RNAseq data from low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Pathway analyses were performed among different ESR1/EERES groups to identify genes that correlate with endocrine resistance, which are validated using Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia gene expression and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer data. RESULTS We identified a novel combined prognostic value of ESR1 expression and the corresponding estrogen response signaling (EERES score) for breast cancer. The combined prognostic value (ESR1/EERES) may be applicable to other gynecologic cancers. More importantly, we discovered that ER signaling can cross-regulate MEK pathway activation. We identified downstream genes in the MEK pathway (EPHA2, INAVA, MALL, MPZL2, PCDH1, and TNFRSF21) that are potential endocrine therapy response biomarkers. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that targeting both the ER and the ER signaling activity related MEK pathway may aid the development of endocrine therapy strategies for personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wai Ng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yvonne T M Tsang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David M Gershenson
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kwong-Kwok Wong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Borella F, Fucina S, Mangherini L, Cosma S, Carosso AR, Cusato J, Cassoni P, Bertero L, Katsaros D, Benedetto C. Hormone Receptors and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Recent Advances in Biology and Treatment Options. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2157. [PMID: 37626654 PMCID: PMC10452581 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, EOC remains a challenging disease to manage, and the 5-year survival rate is still poor. The role of hormone receptors (HRs) in EOC carcinogenesis and prognosis has been actively explored; however, the role of hormone therapy (HT) in the treatment of these tumors is not well established. Most available data on HT mainly come from retrospective series and small early clinical trials. Several of these studies suggest that HT may have a role in adjuvant, maintenance therapy, or in the case of recurrent disease, especially for some subtypes of EOC (e.g., low-grade serous EOC). Furthermore, HT has recently been combined with targeted therapies, but most studies evaluating these combinations are still ongoing. The main aim of this review is to provide an overview of the progress made in the last decade to characterize the biological and prognostic role of HRs for EOC and the developments in their therapeutic targeting through HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Borella
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Stefano Fucina
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Luca Mangherini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.M.); (P.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Stefano Cosma
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Andrea Roberto Carosso
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Jessica Cusato
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy;
| | - Paola Cassoni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.M.); (P.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Luca Bertero
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.M.); (P.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Dionyssios Katsaros
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Chiara Benedetto
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Departments of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.F.); (S.C.); (A.R.C.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
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Gong T, Si K, Liu H, Zhang X. Research advances in the role of MAPK cascade in regulation of cell growth, immunity, inflammation, and cancer. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 47:1721-1728. [PMID: 36748383 PMCID: PMC10930265 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.220155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade system is one of the highly conserved signal systems in eukaryotic cells, which participates in the regulation of many biological processes. Under the stimulation of different signals (such as cytokines, neurotransmitters, and hormones), MAPK cascade activates downstream targets and controls a variety of cellular processes, including growth, immunity, inflammation, and stress response. In different cells, the effects of MAPK cascade on cells vary with the stimuli and the duration of stimulation. MAPK cascade induces Th differentiation and participates in T cell receptor signal pathway and B cell receptor signal pathway. MAPK cascades regulate various cellular activities related to the occurrence and development of cancer. A thorough and systematic understanding of the specific regulatory effects of MAPK cascade on various cellular processes will provide theoretical guidance for treating various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety; Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Kai Si
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety; Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Huiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety; Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety; Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education; College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
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ElNaggar A, Robins D, Baca Y, Arguello D, Ulm M, Arend R, Mantia-Smaldone G, Chu C, Winer I, Holloway R, Krivak T, Jones N, Galvan-Turner V, Herzog TJ, Brown J. Genomic profiling in low grade serous ovarian cancer: Identification of novel markers for disease diagnosis and therapy. Gynecol Oncol 2022; 167:306-313. [PMID: 36229265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) differs from high grade serous in terms of pathogenesis, molecular, genetic, and clinical features. Molecular studies have been hampered by small sample sizes, heterogenous histology, and lack of comprehensive testing. We sought to molecularly profile LGSOC in a homogenously tested, histologically confirmed cohort. METHODS Using hot-spot and whole exome next generation sequencing (NGS), fusion gene analysis interrogating RNA, fragment analysis, in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry, 179 specimens were evaluated by Caris Life Sciences (Phoenix, AZ). A second independent histologic review confirmed histology in 153 specimens. RESULTS Most frequently mutated genes (5% or greater) were members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway: KRAS (23.7%, n = 36), NRAS (11.2%, n = 19), NF1 (7.9%, n = 5), and BRAF (6.6%, n = 10). Class III mutations were seen in 3 of 10 BRAF mutations while 7 were Class I V600E. Overall, estrogen and progesterone receptor expression was 80.2% (n = 130) and 27.8% (n = 45), respectively. Of those that were hormone negative, nearly 50% contained KRAS or NF1 mutations. None were NRAS mutated. Markers of response to immunotherapy were low to absent. CONCLUSION BRAF mutations were seen to be lower than those traditionally reported. With increased MAPK activation resulting in ligand independent activation of ERα, a role of combination therapy with hormonal and targeted therapy should be considered as 49.2% of hormone negative specimens were KRAS or NF1 mutated. Absence of immunotherapy biomarkers suggest limited benefit to immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam ElNaggar
- West Cancer Center and Research Institute, Memphis, TN, United States of America.
| | - David Robins
- West Cancer Center and Research Institute, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Yasmine Baca
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
| | - David Arguello
- Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
| | - Michael Ulm
- West Cancer Center and Research Institute, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Arend
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States of America
| | | | - Christina Chu
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Ira Winer
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Rob Holloway
- AdventHealth Orlando Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL, United States of America
| | - Tom Krivak
- Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel Jones
- University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States of America
| | | | - Thomas J Herzog
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Jubilee Brown
- Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
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Bejar FG, Oaknin A, Williamson C, Mayadev J, Peters PN, Secord AA, Wield AM, Coffman LG. Novel Therapies in Gynecologic Cancer. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2022; 42:1-17. [PMID: 35594502 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_351294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During the past decade, considerable strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of gynecologic cancers. The advent of PARP inhibitors, antiangiogenic therapies, immunotherapy combinations, and targeted agents have altered the standard of care in ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. However, continued advancement in the treatment of gynecologic cancers is critical. Fortunately, exciting work defining new therapeutic targets and novel treatment strategies is on the horizon. Here, we discuss emerging treatments for gynecologic cancers, including endometrial, cervical, ovarian, and rare gynecologic cancers. We highlight research that has deepened our understanding of the unique biology and molecular underpinnings of these cancers and is being translated into powerful new treatment approaches. We particularly highlight the advent of immunotherapy in endometrial cancer; radiosensitizers in cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers; targeted therapies in ovarian cancer; and molecularly driven approaches to treat rare gynecologic cancers. Continued basic, translational, and clinical research holds the promise to change the landscape of gynecologic cancer and improve the lives of all women impacted by these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Grau Bejar
- Gynaecologic Cancer Programme, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Oaknin
- Gynaecologic Cancer Programme, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Casey Williamson
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jyoti Mayadev
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Pamela N Peters
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Angeles Alvarez Secord
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Alyssa M Wield
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Lan G Coffman
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
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