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Pastena P, Perera H, Martinino A, Kartsonis W, Giovinazzo F. Unraveling Biomarker Signatures in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review for Targeted Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2559. [PMID: 38473804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052559] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, marked by poor outcomes and dismal prognosis. Due to the absence of targetable receptors, chemotherapy still represents the main therapeutic option. Therefore, current research is now focusing on understanding the specific molecular pathways implicated in TNBC, in order to identify novel biomarker signatures and develop targeted therapies able to improve its clinical management. With the aim of identifying novel molecular features characterizing TNBC, elucidating the mechanisms by which these molecular biomarkers are implicated in the tumor development and progression, and assessing the impact on cancerous cells following their inhibition or modulation, we conducted a literature search from the earliest works to December 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web Of Science. A total of 146 studies were selected. The results obtained demonstrated that TNBC is characterized by a heterogeneous molecular profile. Several biomarkers have proven not only to be characteristic of TNBC but also to serve as potential effective therapeutic targets, holding the promise of a new era of personalized treatments able to improve its prognosis. The pre-clinical findings that have emerged from our systematic review set the stage for further investigation in forthcoming clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pastena
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Brookhaven, NY 11794, USA
| | - Hiran Perera
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Brookhaven, NY 11794, USA
| | | | - William Kartsonis
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, Brookhaven, NY 11794, USA
| | - Francesco Giovinazzo
- Department of Surgery, Saint Camillus Hospital, 31100 Treviso, Italy
- Department of Surgery, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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2
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Fararjeh AS, Kaddumi E, Al Khader A, Aloliqi AA. The Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of EFEMP1 in Breast Cancer: An Immunohistochemistry Study. Int J Surg Pathol 2023; 31:1057-1066. [PMID: 36259327 DOI: 10.1177/10668969221126122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) has been associated to a variety of malignancies. Because EFEMP1 can act as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of EFEMP1 at mRNA and protein in breast cancer and to ascertain the diagnostic and prognostic value of EFEMP1 in relation to clinical features of breast cancer. Several bioinformatics websites such as GEPIA and Oncomine databases were used to analyze the mRNA level of EFEMP1. Immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect EFEMP1 immunoexpression using tissue microarray (TMA) and clinical breast cancer samples. EFEMP1 was shown to be overexpressed in breast cancer in some study cohorts while being low expressed in others. In TMA, 86 patients (39.1%) with a high H-score and 134 patients (60.9%) with a low H-score had EFEMP1 positive for breast cancer. While HER2 breast cancer and normal breast tissues had the lowest expression of EFEMP1, it was shown to be highly expressed in Luminal B, A, and TNBC. EFEMP1 H-score is associated with tumor stage and indicates poor overall survival in breast cancer. EFEMP1 H-score was high in the clinical tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissue (n = 20), therefore, it would to be a sensitive biomarker for breast cancer. EFEMP1 is a key indicator for assessing the clinical prognosis and diagnosis of patients with breast cancer, as evidenced by the higher expression of EFEMP1 in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue and its association with poor overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdulFattah S Fararjeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Faculty of Science, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-salt, Jordan
| | - Ezidin Kaddumi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-salt, Jordan
| | - Ali Al Khader
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-salt, Jordan
- Department of pathology, Al-Hussein Salt Hospital, Al-salt, Jordan
| | - Abdulaziz A Aloliqi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Proteins Found in the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Secretome and Their Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032100. [PMID: 36768435 PMCID: PMC9916912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer secretome comprises factors secreted by tumors, including cytokines, growth factors, proteins from the extracellular matrix (ECM), proteases and protease inhibitors, membrane and extracellular vesicle proteins, peptide hormones, and metabolic proteins. Secreted proteins provide an avenue for communication with other tumor cells and stromal cells, and these in turn promote tumor growth and progression. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the US and worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its aggressiveness and its lack of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2, making it unable to be treated with therapies targeting these protein markers, and leaving patients to rely on standard chemotherapy. In order to develop more effective therapies against TNBC, researchers are searching for targetable molecules specific to TNBC. Proteins in the TNBC secretome are involved in wide-ranging cancer-promoting processes, including tumor growth, angiogenesis, inflammation, the EMT, drug resistance, invasion, and development of the premetastatic niche. In this review, we catalog the currently known proteins in the secretome of TNBC tumors and correlate these secreted molecules with potential therapeutic opportunities to facilitate translational research.
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Roshini A, Goparaju C, Kundu S, Nandhu MS, Longo SL, Longo JA, Chou J, Middleton FA, Pass HI, Viapiano MS. The extracellular matrix protein fibulin-3/EFEMP1 promotes pleural mesothelioma growth by activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1014749. [PMID: 36303838 PMCID: PMC9593058 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1014749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The extracellular matrix protein fibulin-3/EFEMP1 accumulates in the pleural effusions of MPM patients and has been proposed as a prognostic biomarker of these tumors. However, it is entirely unknown whether fibulin-3 plays a functional role on MPM growth and progression. Here, we demonstrate that fibulin-3 is upregulated in MPM tissue, promotes the malignant behavior of MPM cells, and can be targeted to reduce tumor progression. Overexpression of fibulin-3 increased the viability, clonogenic capacity and invasion of mesothelial cells, whereas fibulin-3 knockdown decreased these phenotypic traits as well as chemoresistance in MPM cells. At the molecular level, fibulin-3 activated PI3K/Akt signaling and increased the expression of a PI3K-dependent gene signature associated with cell adhesion, motility, and invasion. These pro-tumoral effects of fibulin-3 on MPM cells were disrupted by PI3K inhibition as well as by a novel, function-blocking, anti-fibulin-3 chimeric antibody. Anti-fibulin-3 antibody therapy tested in two orthotopic models of MPM inhibited fibulin-3 signaling, resulting in decreased tumor cell proliferation, reduced tumor growth, and extended animal survival. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that fibulin-3 is not only a prognostic factor of MPM but also a relevant molecular target in these tumors. Further development of anti-fibulin-3 approaches are proposed to increase early detection and therapeutic impact against MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arivazhagan Roshini
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Chandra Goparaju
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Somanath Kundu
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Mohan S. Nandhu
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Sharon L. Longo
- Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - John A. Longo
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Joan Chou
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Frank A. Middleton
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Harvey I. Pass
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mariano S. Viapiano
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Mariano S. Viapiano,
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Cosentino G, Romero-Cordoba S, Plantamura I, Cataldo A, Iorio MV. miR-9-Mediated Inhibition of EFEMP1 Contributes to the Acquisition of Pro-Tumoral Properties in Normal Fibroblasts. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092143. [PMID: 32972039 PMCID: PMC7565260 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth and invasion occurs through a dynamic interaction between cancer and stromal cells, which support an aggressive niche. MicroRNAs are thought to act as tumor messengers to “corrupt” stromal cells. We previously demonstrated that miR-9, a known metastamiR, is released by triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to enhance the transition of normal fibroblasts (NFs) into cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-like cells. EGF containing fibulin extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1), which encodes for the ECM glycoprotein fibulin-3, emerged as a miR-9 putative target upon miRNA’s exogenous upmodulation in NFs. Here we explored the impact of EFEMP1 downmodulation on fibroblast’s acquisition of CAF-like features, and how this phenotype influences neoplastic cells to gain chemoresistance. Indeed, upon miR-9 overexpression in NFs, EFEMP1 resulted downmodulated, both at RNA and protein levels. The luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-9 directly targets EFEMP1 and its silencing recapitulates miR-9-induced pro-tumoral phenotype in fibroblasts. In particular, EFEMP1 siRNA-transfected (si-EFEMP1) fibroblasts have an increased ability to migrate and invade. Moreover, TNBC cells conditioned with the supernatant of NFs transfected with miR-9 or si-EFEMP1 became more resistant to cisplatin. Overall, our results demonstrate that miR-9/EFEMP1 axis is crucial for the conversion of NFs to CAF-like cells under TNBC signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cosentino
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (S.R.-C.); (I.P.)
| | - Sandra Romero-Cordoba
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (S.R.-C.); (I.P.)
- Biochemistry Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutriciòn Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Ilaria Plantamura
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (S.R.-C.); (I.P.)
| | - Alessandra Cataldo
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (S.R.-C.); (I.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (M.V.I.); Tel.: +39-022-390-5134 (M.V.I.)
| | - Marilena V. Iorio
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (S.R.-C.); (I.P.)
- Istituto FIRC Oncologia Molecolare (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (M.V.I.); Tel.: +39-022-390-5134 (M.V.I.)
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Abstract
The significance of KISS1 goes beyond its original discovery as a metastasis suppressor. Its function as a neuropeptide involved in diverse physiologic processes is more well studied. Enthusiasm regarding KISS1 has cumulated in clinical trials in multiple fields related to reproduction and metabolism. But its cancer therapeutic space is unsettled. This review focuses on collating data from cancer and non-cancer fields in order to understand shared and disparate signaling that might inform clinical development in the cancer therapeutic and biomarker space. Research has focused on amino acid residues 68-121 (kisspeptin 54), binding to the KISS1 receptor and cellular responses. Evidence and counterevidence regarding this canonical pathway require closer look at the covariates so that the incredible potential of KISS1 can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuc Ly
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. - MS1071, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Sitaram Harihar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Danny R Welch
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. - MS1071, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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Dragan M, Nguyen MU, Guzman S, Goertzen C, Brackstone M, Dhillo WS, Bech PR, Clarke S, Abbara A, Tuck AB, Hess DA, Pine SR, Zong WX, Wondisford FE, Su X, Babwah AV, Bhattacharya M. G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor induces metabolic reprograming and tumorigenesis in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:106. [PMID: 32034133 PMCID: PMC7005685 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2305-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic and deadly disease. TNBC tumors lack estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 (ErbB2) and exhibit increased glutamine metabolism, a requirement for tumor growth. The G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) is highly expressed in patient TNBC tumors and promotes malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells. This study found that TNBC patients displayed elevated plasma kisspeptin levels compared with healthy subjects. It also provides the first evidence that in addition to promoting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, KISS1R-induced glutamine dependence of tumors. In addition, tracer-based metabolomics analyses revealed that KISS1R promoted glutaminolysis and nucleotide biosynthesis by increasing c-Myc and glutaminase levels, key regulators of glutamine metabolism. Overall, this study establishes KISS1R as a novel regulator of TNBC metabolism and metastasis, suggesting that targeting KISS1R could have therapeutic potential in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Dragan
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mai-Uyen Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Stephania Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Cameron Goertzen
- Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muriel Brackstone
- Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul R Bech
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sophie Clarke
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alan B Tuck
- Department of Pathology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - David A Hess
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon R Pine
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Frederic E Wondisford
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Andy V Babwah
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Moshmi Bhattacharya
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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