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Lu C, Yang Y, Lingmei L, Qiujuan H, Qianru G, Lisha Q, Wenfeng C, Yun N, Peisen Z. Identification of hub genes in AR-induced tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 197:71-82. [PMID: 36334189 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06788-w] [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: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 30% of patients with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC) exhibit intrinsic or recurrent resistance to tamoxifen (TAM) adjuvant endocrine therapy. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in about 90% of ER-positive patients. Our previous studies found that BC patients with an AR:ER expression ratio ≥ 2.0 are more susceptible to TAM resistance. However, the specific mechanism by which a high AR:ER ratio promotes TAM resistance remains unknown. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed on 10 cases of BC tissues with AR:ER ratios ≥ 2.0 and 3 cases with AR:ER ratios < 2.0. We then compared our data with the screened TAM-resistant and TAM-sensitive cases from the TCGA BC database. Bioinformatics methods were used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to perform gene enrichment analysis. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was used to screen hub genes in the AR-induced TAM resistance process. RESULTS PAM50 analysis showed that the molecular phenotype of BC patients with AR:ER ratios ≥ 2.0 was similar to that of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), whereas the BC samples with AR:ER ratios < 2.0 were classified as the luminal subtype. Among the AR:ER ratio ≥ 2.0 and AR:ER < 2.0 BC tumours, 1855 DEGs were identified. Gene enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were enriched mainly in proliferation-related molecular pathways, such as the cell cycle, necroptosis, metabolic pathways and DNA replication. WGCNA analysis showed that SEC14L2, RIIAD1, STC2 and MAGEA6 served as hub genes in AR-induced TAM resistance and were associated with BC survival prognosis in the TCGA cohort. CONCLUSIONS A high AR:ER expression ratio is a biomarker for patients who might develop TAM resistance, and AR expression seems to be a possible mechanism of resistance to endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Lu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Li Lingmei
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Huang Qiujuan
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Guo Qianru
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qi Lisha
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Cao Wenfeng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Niu Yun
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zhang Peisen
- Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300222, China.
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Hadgu E, Seifu D, Tigneh W, Bokretsion Y, Bekele A, Abebe M, Sollie T, Karlsson C, Karlsson MG. Distribution and characteristics of androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232519. [PMID: 32374753 PMCID: PMC7202607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of the role of androgen receptor (AR) in the biology of breast cancer is an emerging area of research. There are compelling evidences that AR expression may be used to further refine breast cancer molecular subtyping with prognostic and therapeutic implications. Many studies indicated co-expression of AR with the hormonal receptors in breast cancer has a favorable prognosis. AR is also investigated by many researchers as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of breast cancer. Studies on the frequency and distribution of AR in breast cancer among Africans is barely available. Given the heightened interest to understand its role in breast cancer, we determined AR expression and assessed its association with clinicopathological parameters among Ethiopian women. In this study, 112 newly diagnosed patient with invasive breast cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital were enrolled. Immunohistochemical assessment of AR, ER, PR, Ki67 and HER2 were performed using tissue microarrays (TMA) constructed from their primary tumor block. Out of the 112 participants, 91 (81%) were positive for AR expression and the remaining 21 participants (19%) were negative for AR expression. Expression of AR in ER+, HER2+ and TNBC cases were 93%, 83% and 48% respectively. Our study reveals AR is expressed in a significant number of breast cancers patients and this may indicate that breast cancers cases in Ethiopia have favorable prognosis and could benefit from progresses in AR targeted treatments. Since AR expression has important consequences on the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer, further studies with an increased number of participants is necessary to confirm our reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endale Hadgu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Seifu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wondemagegnhu Tigneh
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Bokretsion
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Bekele
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Markos Abebe
- Armauer Hansen research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Thomas Sollie
- School of Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden
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A high AR:ERα or PDEF:ERα ratio predicts a sub-optimal response to tamoxifen therapy in ERα-positive breast cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2019; 84:609-620. [PMID: 31297554 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-019-03891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 30% oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive breast cancer (BC) patients exhibit intrinsic or recurrent resistance to adjuvant endocrine therapy with tamoxifen. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in about 90% of ERα-positive patients, with particularly high expression in tamoxifen-resistant tumours. Prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF), which is a co-regulator of AR, plays a role in tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive BC. The purpose of this research was to analyse the potential roles of AR, PDEF and ERα levels in the response to tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive BC. METHODS The nuclear AR:ERα and PDEF:ERα ratios were examined immunohistochemically in a cohort of 225 ERα-positive pre-menopausal BC patients who had received adjuvant tamoxifen therapy. RESULTS For both AR:ERα and PDEF:ERα ratios, the optimal cutoff value was 2.0. Patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen treatment who had a high AR:ERα (≥ 2.0) (HR = 3.90) or PDEF:ERα ratio (≥ 2.0) (HR = 2.77) had a beyond twofold increased risk of failure. Both the AR:ERα ratio (P = 0.001) and PDEF:ERα ratio (P = 0.002) were independently associated with the risk of tamoxifen treatment failure. Furthermore, both a high ratio of AR:ERα (≥ 2.0) and PDEF:ERα (≥ 2.0) were associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and shorter disease-specific survival (DSS). In addition, both the AR:ERα ratio and PDEF:ERα ratio were independent predictors of DFS (both P < 0.0001) and DSS (P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AR:ERα and PDEF:ERα ratios are independent predictors of the response to conventional ERα-directed tamoxifen endocrine therapy.
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Metformin prevention of doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 involves oxidative stress generation and modulation of cell adaptation genes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5864. [PMID: 30971831 PMCID: PMC6458149 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin was shown to sensitize multidrug resistant breast cancer cells; however, the mechanisms involved in this capacity need to be clarified. We investigated oxidative stress and inflammatory-related pathways during the induction of doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells (DOX-res group), and evaluated metformin-induced cellular responses that resulted in the prevention of doxorubicin resistance (Met-DOX group). Microarray analysis demonstrated that DOX-res changed the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress (OS) and the TGF- β1 pathway. The DOX-res group presented increased thiols and reduced lipoperoxidation, increased levels of nitric oxide, nuclear NF-kB and Nrf2, and reduced nuclear p53 labelling. Analysis of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway by RT-PCR array showed that DOX-res developed adaptive responses, such as resistance against apoptosis and OS. Metformin treatment modified gene expression related to OS and the IFN-α signaling pathway. The Met-DOX group was more sensitive to DOX-induced OS, presented lower levels of nitric oxide, nuclear NF-kB and Nrf2, and increased nuclear p53. Analysis of the IFN-α signaling pathway showed that Met-DOX presented more sensitivity to apoptosis and OS. Our findings indicate that metformin is a promising tool in the prevention of chemoresistance in patients with breast cancer submitted to doxorubicin-based treatments.
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Cao L, Xu C, Xiang G, Liu F, Liu X, Li C, Liu J, Meng Q, Jiao J, Niu Y. AR-PDEF pathway promotes tumour proliferation and upregulates MYC-mediated gene transcription by promoting MAD1 degradation in ER-negative breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:136. [PMID: 30217192 PMCID: PMC6138935 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in 60%~ 70% oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer (BC) cases and promotes the growth of this cancer subtype. Expression of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF), a transcription factor, is highly restricted to epithelial cells in hormone-regulated tissues. MYC and its negative regulator MAD1 play an important role in BC progression. Previously, we found that PDEF expression is strongly correlated with AR expression. However, the relationship between AR and PDEF and the function of PDEF in ER-negative BC proliferation are unclear. Methods AR and PDEF expression in ER-negative BC tissues and cell lines was determined by performing immunohistochemistry or western blotting. Protein expression levels and location were analysed by performing western blotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to validate the regulation of AR–PDEF–MAD1–MYC axis. Moreover, the effect of AR and PDEF on BC progression was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results We found that PDEF was overexpressed in ER-negative BC tissues and cell lines and appeared to function as an oncogene. PDEF expression levels were strongly correlated with AR expression in ER-negative BC, and PDEF transcription was positively regulated by AR. PDEF upregulated MYC-mediated gene transcription by promoting MAD1 degradation in ER-negative BC. Finally, we found that compared with the inhibition of AR expression alone, simultaneous inhibition of AR and PDEF expression further suppressed tumour proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Our data highlight the role of the AR–PDEF–MAD1–MYC axis in BC progression and suggest that PDEF can be used as a new clinical therapeutic target for treating ER-negative BC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-018-0883-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cao
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Cong Xu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Guomin Xiang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaozhen Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Congying Li
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qingxiang Meng
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jiao Jiao
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yun Niu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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