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Liu D, van der Zalm AP, Koster J, Bootsma S, Oyarce C, van Laarhoven HWM, Bijlsma MF. Predictive biomarkers for response to TGF- β inhibition in resensitizing chemo(radiated) esophageal adenocarcinoma. Pharmacol Res 2024; 207:107315. [PMID: 39059615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been identified as a driver of therapy resistance, particularly in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), where transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) can induce this process. Inhibitors of TGF-β may counteract the occurrence of mesenchymal, resistant tumor cell populations following chemo(radio)therapy and improve treatment outcomes in EAC. Here, we aimed to identify predictive biomarkers for the response to TGF-β targeting. In vitro approximations of neoadjuvant treatment were applied to publicly available primary EAC cell lines. TGF-β inhibitors fresolimumab and A83-01 were employed to inhibit EMT, and mesenchymal markers were quantified via flow cytometry to assess efficacy. Our results demonstrated a robust induction of mesenchymal cell states following chemoradiation, with TGF-β inhibition leading to variable reductions in mesenchymal markers. The cell lines were clustered into responders and non-responders. Genomic expression profiles were obtained through RNA-seq analysis. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis identified 10 positively- and 23 negatively-associated hub genes, which were bioinformatically identified. Furthermore, the correlation of DEGs with response to TGF-β inhibition was examined using public pharmacogenomic databases, revealing 9 positively associated and 11 negatively associated DEGs. Among these, ERBB2, EFNB1, and TNS4 were the most promising candidates. Our findings reveal a distinct gene expression pattern associated with the response to TGF-β inhibition in chemo(radiated) EAC. The identified DEGs and predictive markers may assist patient selection in clinical studies investigating TGF-β targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajia Liu
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Amber P van der Zalm
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Koster
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne Bootsma
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cesar Oyarce
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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2
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Yao K, Zhan XY, Feng M, Yang KF, Zhou MS, Jia H. Furin, ADAM, and γ-secretase: Core regulatory targets in the Notch pathway and the therapeutic potential for breast cancer. Neoplasia 2024; 57:101041. [PMID: 39208688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.101041] [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: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The activation of the Notch pathway promotes the occurrence and progression of breast cancer. The Notch signal plays different roles in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the Notch pathway regulates the activity of estrogen receptors. In human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer, crosstalk between Notch and HER2 enhances HER2 signal expression. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), Notch pathway activation is closely linked to tumor invasion and drug resistance. This article offers a comprehensive review of the structural domains, biological functions, and key targets of Notch with a specific focus on the roles of Furin protease, ADAM metalloprotease, and γ-secretase in breast cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets. We discuss the functions and mutual regulatory mechanisms of these proteinases in the Notch pathway as well as other potential targets in the Notch pathway, such as the glycosylation process and key transcription factors. This article also introduces new approaches in the treatment of breast cancer, with a special focus on the molecular characteristics and treatment response differences of different subtypes. We propose that the core regulatory molecules of the Notch pathway may become key targets for development of personalized treatment, which may significantly improve treatment outcomes and prognosis for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Yao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China.
| | - Xiang-Yi Zhan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, No. 146 Huanghe North Street, Yuhong District, Shenyang City 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China.
| | - Mei Feng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China.
| | - Ke-Fan Yang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China.
| | - Ming-Sheng Zhou
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology, No. 146 Huanghe North Street, Yuhong District, Shenyang City 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China; Science and Experimental Research Center of Shenyang Medical College, No. 146 Huanghe North Street, Yuhong District, Shenyang City 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China.
| | - Hui Jia
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology, No. 146 Huanghe North Street, Yuhong District, Shenyang City 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Medical College, No. 146 Huanghe North Street, Yuhong District, Shenyang City 110034, Liaoning Province, PR China.
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3
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Cai A, Chen Y, Wang LS, Cusick JK, Shi Y. Depicting Biomarkers for HER2-Inhibitor Resistance: Implication for Therapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2635. [PMID: 39123362 PMCID: PMC11311605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152635] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including breast, lung, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Its amplification is linked to poor clinical outcomes. At the genetic level, HER2 is encoded by the ERBB2 gene (v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2), which is frequently mutated or amplified in cancers, thus spurring extensive research into HER2 modulation and inhibition as viable anti-cancer strategies. An impressive body of FDA-approved drugs, including anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and HER2-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have demonstrated success in enhancing overall survival (OS) and disease progression-free survival (PFS). Yet, drug resistance remains a persistent challenge and raises the risks of metastatic potential and tumor relapse. Research into alternative therapeutic options for HER2+ breast cancer therefore proves critical for adapting to this ever-evolving landscape. This review highlights current HER2-targeted therapies, discusses predictive biomarkers for drug resistance, and introduces promising emergent therapies-especially combination therapies-that are aimed at overcoming drug resistance in the context of HER2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvan Cai
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
| | - Yuan Chen
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Lily S. Wang
- University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - John K. Cusick
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
| | - Yihui Shi
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Sutter Bay Hospitals, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
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Mazzucchelli S, Signati L, Messa L, Franceschini A, Bonizzi A, Castagnoli L, Gasparini P, Consolandi C, Mangano E, Pelucchi P, Cifola I, Camboni T, Severgnini M, Villani L, Tagliaferri B, Carelli S, Pupa SM, Cereda C, Corsi F. Breast cancer patient-derived organoids for the investigation of patient-specific tumour evolution. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:220. [PMID: 38926706 PMCID: PMC11210105 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03375-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A reliable preclinical model of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) was developed in a case study of a 69-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) to investigate the tumour evolution before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. The results were achieved due to the development of PDOs from tissues collected before (O-PRE) and after (O-POST) treatment. METHODS PDO cultures were characterized by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and drug screening. RESULTS Both PDO cultures recapitulated the histological and molecular profiles of the original tissues, and they showed typical mammary gland organization, confirming their reliability as a personalized in vitro model. Compared with O-PRE, O-POST had a greater proliferation rate with a significant increase in the Ki67 proliferation index. Moreover O-POST exhibited a more stem-like and aggressive phenotype, with increases in the CD24low/CD44low and EPCAMlow/CD49fhigh cell populations characterized by increased tumour initiation potential and multipotency and metastatic potential in invasive lobular carcinoma. Analysis of ErbB receptor expression indicated a decrease in HER-2 expression coupled with an increase in EGFR expression in O-POST. In this context, deregulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway was assessed by transcriptomic analysis, confirming the altered transcriptional profile. Finally, transcriptomic single-cell analysis identified 11 cell type clusters, highlighting the selection of the luminal component and the decrease in the number of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition cell types in O-POST. CONCLUSION Neoadjuvant treatment contributed to the enrichment of cell populations with luminal phenotypes that were more resistant to chemotherapy in O-POST. PDOs represent an excellent 3D cell model for assessing disease evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Mazzucchelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lorena Signati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Messa
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi", Università di Milano, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154, Milan, Italy
| | - Alma Franceschini
- Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Bonizzi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Castagnoli
- Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Gasparini
- Epigenomics and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Clarissa Consolandi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Eleonora Mangano
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Paride Pelucchi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Ingrid Cifola
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Tania Camboni
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Marco Severgnini
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Laura Villani
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Stephana Carelli
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi", Università di Milano, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154, Milan, Italy
| | - Serenella M Pupa
- Microenvironment and Biomarkers of Solid Tumors, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Corsi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università di Milano, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy.
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Vasileiou M, Diamantoudis SC, Tsianava C, Nguyen NP. Immunotherapeutic Strategies Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:3040-3063. [PMID: 38920716 PMCID: PMC11203270 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Despite the implementation of multiple treatment options, including immunotherapy, breast cancer treatment remains a challenge. In this review, we aim to summarize present challenges in breast cancer immunotherapy and recent advancements in overcoming treatment resistance. We elaborate on the inhibition of signaling cascades, such as the Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo, and WNT signaling pathways, which regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of breast cancer stem cells and, consequently, disease progression and survival. Cancer stem cells represent a rare population of cancer cells, likely originating from non-malignant stem or progenitor cells, with the ability to evade immune surveillance and develop resistance to immunotherapeutic treatments. We also discuss the interactions between breast cancer stem cells and the immune system, including potential agents targeting breast cancer stem cell-associated signaling pathways, and provide an overview of the emerging approaches to breast cancer stem cell-targeted immunotherapy. Finally, we consider the development of breast cancer vaccines and adoptive cellular therapies, which train the immune system to recognize tumor-associated antigens, for eliciting T cell-mediated responses to target breast cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vasileiou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Christina Tsianava
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Nam P. Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20060, USA
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6
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Ray SK, Mukherjee S. Breast cancer stem cells as novel biomarkers. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 557:117855. [PMID: 38453050 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in detection and treatment, it remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a crucial group of cells responsible for carcinogenesis, metastasis, medication resistance, and tumor recurrence. Identifying and understanding their molecular pathways is essential for developing effective breast cancer therapy. BCSCs are responsible for tumor genesis, development, metastasis, treatment resistance, and recurrence. Biomarkers are essential tools for identifying high-risk patients, improving diagnostic accuracy, developing follow-up programs, assessing treatment susceptibility, and predicting prognostic outcomes. Stem cell intervention therapy can provide specialized tools for precision therapy. Biomarker analysis in cancer patients is crucial to identify cells associated with disease progression and post-therapeutic relapse. However, negative post-therapeutic impacts can enhance cancer stemness by boosting BCSCs plasticity phenotypes, activating stemness pathways in non-BCSCs, and promoting senescence escape, leading to tumor relapse and metastasis. Despite the advancements in precision medicine, challenges persist in identifying stem cell markers, limiting the number of eligible patients for treatment. The diversity of biomedical research hinders the development of individualization-based preventative, monitoring, and treatment strategies, especially in oncology. Integrating and interpreting clinical and scientific data remains challenging. The development of stem cell-related indicators could significantly improve disease precision, enabling stem cell-targeted therapy and personalized treatment plans, although BCSCs are promising for breast cancer treatment optimization, serving as biomarkers for current therapy modalities. This summary discusses recent advancements in breast cancer stem cell research, including biomarkers, identification methods, molecular mechanisms, and tools for studying their biological origin and lineage development for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Kumar Ray
- Independent Researcher, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462020, India
| | - Sukhes Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462020, India.
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Fakhrioliaei A, Tanhaei S, Pakmehr S, Noori Shakir M, Qasim MT, Hariri M, Nouhi Kararoudi A, Valilo M. Potential Role of Nrf2, HER2, and ALDH in Cancer Stem Cells: A Narrative Review. J Membr Biol 2024; 257:3-16. [PMID: 38356054 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-024-00307-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main causes of death among humans, second only to cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on the pathophysiology of cancer, and it has been established that this disease is developed by a group of stem cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Thus, cancer is considered a stem cell disease; however, there is no comprehensive consensus about the characteristics of these cells. Several different signaling pathways including Notch, Hedgehog, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and WNT/β-catenin pathways cause the self-renewal of CSCs. CSCs change their metabolic pathways in order to access easy energy. Therefore, one of the key objectives of researchers in cancer treatment is to destroy CSCs. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an essential role in the protection of CSCs from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chemotherapeutic agents by regulating antioxidants and detoxification enzymes. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a member of the tyrosine kinase receptor family, which contributes to the protection of cancer cells against treatment and implicated in the invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumorigenesis. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are highly active in CSCs and protect the cells against damage caused by active aldehydes through the regulation of aldehyde metabolism. On the other hand, ALDHs promote the formation and maintenance of tumor cells and lead to drug resistance in tumors through the activation of various signaling pathways, such as the ALDH1A1/HIF-1α/VEGF axis and Wnt/β-catenin, as well as changing the intracellular pH value. Given the growing body of information in this field, in the present narrative review, we attempted to shed light on the function of Nrf2, HER2, and ALDH in CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maha Noori Shakir
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, AL-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Maytham T Qasim
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
| | - Maryam Hariri
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36832, USA
| | - Alireza Nouhi Kararoudi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mohammad Valilo
- Dpartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Sheva K, Roy Chowdhury S, Kravchenko-Balasha N, Meirovitz A. Molecular Changes in Breast Cancer Induced by Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024:S0360-3016(24)00435-8. [PMID: 38508467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer treatments are based on prognostic clinicopathologic features that form the basis for therapeutic guidelines. Although the utilization of these guidelines has decreased breast cancer-associated mortality rates over the past three decades, they are not adequate for individualized therapy. Radiation therapy (RT) is the backbone of breast cancer treatment. Although a highly successful therapeutic modality clinically, from a biological perspective, preclinical studies have shown RT to have the potential to alter tumor cell phenotype, immunogenicity, and the surrounding microenvironment, potentially changing the behavior of cancer cells and resulting in a significant variation in RT response. This review presents the recent advances in revealing the complex molecular changes induced by RT in the treatment of breast cancer and highlights the complexities of translating this information into clinically relevant tools for improved prognostic insights and the revelation of novel approaches for optimizing RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS Current literature was reviewed with a focus on recent advances made in the elucidation of tumor-associated radiation-induced molecular changes across molecular, genetic, and proteomic bases. This review was structured with the aim of providing an up-to-date overview over the very broad and complex subject matter of radiation-induced molecular changes and radioresistance, familiarizing the reader with the broader issue at hand. RESULTS The subject of radiation-induced molecular changes in breast cancer has been broached from various physiological focal points including that of the immune system, immunogenicity and the abscopal effect, tumor hypoxia, breast cancer classification and subtyping, molecular heterogeneity, and molecular plasticity. It is becoming increasingly apparent that breast cancer clinical subtyping alone does not adequately account for variation in RT response or radioresistance. Multiple components of the tumor microenvironment and immune system, delivered RT dose and fractionation schedules, radiation-induced bystander effects, and intrinsic tumor physiology and heterogeneity all contribute to the resultant RT outcome. CONCLUSIONS Despite recent advances and improvements in anticancer therapies, tumor resistance remains a significant challenge. As new analytical techniques and technologies continue to provide crucial insight into the complex molecular mechanisms of breast cancer and its treatment responses, it is becoming more evident that personalized anticancer treatment regimens may be vital in overcoming radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Sheva
- The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center & Dr Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Medicine, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Sangita Roy Chowdhury
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nataly Kravchenko-Balasha
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Amichay Meirovitz
- The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center & Dr Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Medicine, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
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9
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Yang Y, Jin L, Li Y, Rao N, Gong C, Li S, Wu J, Zhao J, Ding L, Gan F, Zhang J, Feng R, Liu Z, Liu Q. Sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by taxanes with complete trastuzumab and pertuzumab treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer: A phase II single-arm study. Chin J Cancer Res 2024; 36:55-65. [PMID: 38455369 PMCID: PMC10915636 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2024.01.06] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Despite cardiotoxicity overlap, the trastuzumab/pertuzumab and anthracycline combination remains crucial due to significant benefits. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), a less cardiotoxic anthracycline, was evaluated for efficacy and cardiac safety when combined with cyclophosphamide and followed by taxanes with trastuzumab/pertuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer (BC). Methods In this multicenter, phase II study, patients with confirmed HER2-positive early BC received four cycles of PLD (30-35 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2), followed by four cycles of taxanes (docetaxel, 90-100 mg/m2 or nab-paclitaxel, 260 mg/m2), concomitant with eight cycles of trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg) and pertuzumab (840 mg loading dose, then 420 mg) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was total pathological complete response (tpCR, ypT0/is ypN0). Secondary endpoints included breast pCR (bpCR), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, rate of breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and safety (with a focus on cardiotoxicity). Results Between May 27, 2020 and May 11, 2022, 78 patients were treated with surgery, 42 (53.8%) of whom had BCS. After neoadjuvant therapy, 47 [60.3%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 48.5%-71.2%] patients achieved tpCR, and 49 (62.8%) achieved bpCR. ORRs were 76.9% (95% CI, 66.0%-85.7%) and 93.6% (95% CI, 85.7%-97.9%) after 4-cycle and 8-cycle neoadjuvant therapy, respectively. Nine (11.5%) patients experienced asymptomatic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reductions of ≥10% from baseline, all with a minimum value of >55%. No treatment-related abnormal cardiac function changes were observed in mean N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), troponin I, or high-sensitivity troponin. Conclusions This dual HER2-blockade with sequential polychemotherapy showed promising activity with rapid tumor regression in HER2-positive BC. Importantly, this regimen showed an acceptable safety profile, especially a low risk of cardiac events, suggesting it as an attractive treatment approach with a favorable risk-benefit balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Yang
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yudong Li
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Nanyan Rao
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Chang Gong
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shunrong Li
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiannan Wu
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Linxiaoxiao Ding
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Fengxia Gan
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ruifa Feng
- Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Guilin Medical College Second Affiliated Hospital, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangzhou 510120, China
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10
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Sombal W, Khan NU, Khan BM, Ismail M, Almutairi MH, Khan S, Khan AU, Mustafa A, Iftikhar B, Ali I. Human epidermal growth receptor polymorphisms ( HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201) exhibited significant association with breast cancer risk in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1846. [PMID: 38317673 PMCID: PMC10839356 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. The genetic polymorphism in HER (HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201) were found to be associated with breast cancer risk in different ethnicities worldwide with inconsistent results. The aim of this research study was to evaluate the association of HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201 polymorphisms as a risk of breast cancer in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods A total of 314 women including 164 breast cancer patients and 150 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled from June 2021 to May 2022. All the samples were subjected to DNA extraction followed by Tetra-ARMS-PCR for genotyping and gel electrophoresis. Results Our results indicated that HER1-rs11543848 risk allele A (p = 0.0001) and heterozygous genotype GA (p = 0.0001) displayed highly significant association with breast cancer, while the homozygous mutant genotype AA indicated association but nonsignificant results (odds ratio [OR] = 2.637, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2258-5.6756, p = 0.0833). Similarly, the HER2-rs1136201 risk allele G (p = 0.0023), the heterozygous genotype AG (p = 0.0530) and homozygous mutant genotype GG showed significant association (OR = 2.5946, 95% CI = 0.9876-6.8165, p = 0.0530) with breast cancer risk. Both the SNPs presented a higher but nonsignificant risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (OR = 2.242, p = 0.08 and OR = 2.009, p = 0.06). However, both the SNPs showed significant association (p < 0.005) with family history, metastasis, stage, luminal B, and TNBC. Conclusion In conclusion, HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201 polymorphisms are significantly associated with the higher risk of breast cancer in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. These findings advocate for further exploration with larger datasets, offering promising avenues for personalized approaches in breast cancer research and potentially enhancing clinical practices for better risk assessment and targeted management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Sombal
- Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (Health Division)The University of Agriculture PeshawarPeshawarPakistan
| | - Najeeb Ullah Khan
- Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (Health Division)The University of Agriculture PeshawarPeshawarPakistan
| | - Bibi Maryam Khan
- School of Life ScienceJiangsu UniversityZhejiangJiangsu ProvincePeople's Republic of China
| | | | | | - Samiullah Khan
- Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM)PeshawarPakistan
| | - Aakif Ullah Khan
- Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM)PeshawarPakistan
| | - Adeela Mustafa
- Department of Community MedicineKhyber Medical CollegePeshawarPakistan
| | - Bushra Iftikhar
- Department of Community MedicineKhyber Medical CollegePeshawarPakistan
| | - Ijaz Ali
- Centre for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics (CAMB)Gulf University for Science and TechnologyHawallyKuwait
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11
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Behl T, Kumar A, Vishakha, Sehgal A, Singh S, Sharma N, Yadav S, Rashid S, Ali N, Ahmed AS, Vargas-De-La-Cruz C, Bungau SG, Khan H. Understanding the mechanistic pathways and clinical aspects associated with protein and gene based biomarkers in breast cancer. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126595. [PMID: 37648139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most widespread and severe diseases with a huge mortality rate. In recent years, the second-leading mortality rate of any cancer globally has been breast cancer, which is one of the most common and deadly cancers found in women. Detecting breast cancer in its initial stages simplifies treatment, decreases death risk, and recovers survival rates for patients. The death rate for breast cancer has risen to 0.024 % in some regions. Sensitive and accurate technologies are required for the preclinical detection of BC at an initial stage. Biomarkers play a very crucial role in the early identification as well as diagnosis of women with breast cancer. Currently, a wide variety of cancer biomarkers have been discovered for the diagnosis of cancer. For the identification of these biomarkers from serum or other body fluids at physiological amounts, many detection methods have been developed. In the case of breast cancer, biomarkers are especially helpful in discovering those who are more likely to develop the disease, determining prognosis at the time of initial diagnosis and choosing the best systemic therapy. In this study we have compiled various clinical aspects and signaling pathways associated with protein-based biomarkers and gene-based biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Behl
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ankush Kumar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IET Bhaddal Technical Campus, Ropar 140108, Punjab, India
| | - Vishakha
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IET Bhaddal Technical Campus, Ropar 140108, Punjab, India
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- GHG Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Gurusar Sadhar, 141104 Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana Ambala 133203, Haryana, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana Ambala 133203, Haryana, India
| | - Shivam Yadav
- School of Pharmacy, Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow 226028, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Summya Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Nemat Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadah 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amira Saber Ahmed
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Celia Vargas-De-La-Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Bromatology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 150001, Peru; E-Health Research Center, Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea 410087, Romania; Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, Oradea 410087, Romania
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.
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12
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Yu J. Partial response of Zercepac® plus capecitabine for postoperative multiple metastases of HER2-positive breast cancer. Minerva Med 2023; 114:887-888. [PMID: 35785950 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.22.08223-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhangjiajie City People's Hospital, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China -
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13
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De Dios-Figueroa GT, Aguilera-Márquez JDR, García-Uriostegui L, Hernández-Gutiérrez R, Camacho-Villegas TA, Lugo-Fabres PH. Embedded Living HER2+ Cells in a 3D Gelatin-Alginate Hydrogel as an In Vitro Model for Immunotherapy Delivery for Breast Cancer. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3726. [PMID: 37765581 PMCID: PMC10535529 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183726] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is the second target molecule most commonly used in breast cancer treatment. Both recurrence and metastasis are still deadly for HER2+ breast cancer patients. Hydrogels can be an option for developing three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems that resemble tumor features better than monolayer cultures and could be used for preclinical screening for new biotherapeutics. Biopolymers (gelatin and alginate) were used to develop a hydrogel capable of encapsulating living HER2+ breast cancer cells BT-474/GFP. The hydrogel was physicochemically characterized, and the viability of embedded cells was evaluated. The hydrogel developed had suitable physical properties, with swelling of 38% of its original mass at 20 h capacity and pore sizes between 20 and 125 µm that allowed cells to maintain their morphology in a 3D environment, in addition to being biocompatible and preserving 90% of cell viability at 10 days. Furthermore, encapsulated BT-474/GFP cells maintained HER2 expression that could be detected by the Trastuzumab-fluorescent antibody, so this hydrogel could be used to evaluate new HER2-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Tonantzin De Dios-Figueroa
- Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (G.T.D.D.-F.); (J.d.R.A.-M.); (R.H.-G.)
| | - Janette del Rocío Aguilera-Márquez
- Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (G.T.D.D.-F.); (J.d.R.A.-M.); (R.H.-G.)
| | - Lorena García-Uriostegui
- CONAHCYT—Departamento de Madera, Celulosa y Papel, Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG), Guadalajara 44100, Jalisco, Mexico;
| | - Rodolfo Hernández-Gutiérrez
- Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (G.T.D.D.-F.); (J.d.R.A.-M.); (R.H.-G.)
| | - Tanya A. Camacho-Villegas
- CONAHCYT—Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico;
| | - Pavel H. Lugo-Fabres
- CONAHCYT—Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico;
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14
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Ruzzi F, Semprini MS, Scalambra L, Palladini A, Angelicola S, Cappello C, Pittino OM, Nanni P, Lollini PL. Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12963. [PMID: 37629147 PMCID: PMC10454695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines are increasingly being studied as a possible strategy to prevent and treat cancers. While several prophylactic vaccines for virus-caused cancers are approved and efficiently used worldwide, the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines needs to be further implemented. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled protein structures that mimic native viruses or bacteriophages but lack the replicative material. VLP platforms are designed to display single or multiple antigens with a high-density pattern, which can trigger both cellular and humoral responses. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of preventive VLP-based vaccines currently approved worldwide against HBV and HPV infections or under evaluation to prevent virus-caused cancers. Furthermore, preclinical and early clinical data on prophylactic and therapeutic VLP-based cancer vaccines were summarized with a focus on HER-2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ruzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Maria Sofia Semprini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Laura Scalambra
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Arianna Palladini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Stefania Angelicola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Chiara Cappello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Olga Maria Pittino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
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15
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Zhuo X, Lv J, Chen B, Liu J, Luo Y, Liu J, Xie X, Lu J, Zhao N. Combining conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography to predict HER2 status in patients with breast cancer. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1188502. [PMID: 37501928 PMCID: PMC10369848 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1188502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Identifying the HER2 status of breast cancer patients is important for treatment options. Previous studies have shown that ultrasound features are closely related to the subtype of breast cancer. Methods: In this study, we used features of conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography to predict HER2 status. Results and Discussion: The performance of model (AUROC) with features of conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography is higher than that of the model with features of conventional ultrasound (0.82 vs. 0.53). The SHAP method was used to explore the interpretability of the models. Compared with HER2- tumors, HER2+ tumors usually have greater elastic modulus parameters and microcalcifications. Therefore, we concluded that the features of conventional ultrasound combined with ultrasound elastography could improve the accuracy for predicting HER2 status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhuo
- Ultrasound Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Medical Imaging College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ji Lv
- Emergency Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Binjie Chen
- Emergency Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Pathology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yujie Luo
- Ultrasound Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Ultrasound Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Xie
- Ultrasound Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiao Lu
- Ultrasound Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ningjun Zhao
- Emergency Medicine Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Second Clinical Medical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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16
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Castagnoli L, Corso S, Franceschini A, Raimondi A, Bellomo SE, Dugo M, Morano F, Prisciandaro M, Brich S, Belfiore A, Vingiani A, Di Bartolomeo M, Pruneri G, Tagliabue E, Giordano S, Pietrantonio F, Pupa SM. Fatty acid synthase as a new therapeutic target for HER2-positive gastric cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:661-676. [PMID: 36753044 PMCID: PMC10205874 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00769-x] [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] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Trastuzumab is an HER2-specific agent approved as the gold-standard therapy for advanced HER2-positive (HER2+) gastric cancer (GC), but the high rate and rapid appearance of resistance limit its clinical efficacy, resulting in the need to identify new vulnerabilities. Defining the drivers influencing HER2+ cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance/survival could represent a clinically useful strategy to counteract tumor growth and therapy resistance. Accumulating evidence show that targeting crucial metabolic hubs, as the fatty acid synthase (FASN), may be clinically relevant. METHODS FASN protein and transcript expression were examined by WB and FACS and by qRT-PCR and GEP analyses, respectively, in trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ GC cell lines cultured in adherent (2D) or gastrosphere promoting (3D) conditions. Molecular data were analyzed in silico in public HER2+ GC datasets. The effectiveness of the FASN inhibitor TVB3166 to overcome anti-HER2 therapy resistance was tested in vitro in gastrospheres forming efficiency bioassays and in vivo in mice bearing trastuzumab-resistant GC cells. RESULTS We compared the transcriptome profiles of HER2+ GC cells cultured in 2D versus 3D conditions finding a significant enrichment of FASN in 3D cultures. FASN upregulation significantly correlated with high stemness score and poor prognosis in HER2+ GC cases. TVB3166 treatment significantly decreased GCSCs in all cell targets. HER2 and FASN cotargeting significantly decreased the capability to form gastrospheres versus monotherapy and reduced the in vivo growth of trastuzumab-resistant GC cells. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that cotargeting HER2 and FASN increase the benefit of anti-HER2 therapy representing a new opportunity for metabolically combating trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Castagnoli
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Corso
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Alma Franceschini
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Raimondi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Erika Bellomo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Dugo
- Department of Medical Oncology-Breast Cancer Unit Clinical Translational and Immunotherapy Research, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Morano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Prisciandaro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino Belfiore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Vingiani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Pruneri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Filippo Pietrantonio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Serenella M Pupa
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Hayat A, Carter EP, King HW, Ors A, Doe A, Teijeiro SA, Charrot S, Godinho S, Cutillas P, Mohammed H, Grose RP, Ficz G. Low HER2 expression in normal breast epithelium enables dedifferentiation and malignant transformation via chromatin opening. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049894. [PMID: 36661191 PMCID: PMC9922733 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the HER2 protein in breast cancer patients is a predictor of poor prognosis and resistance to therapies. We used an inducible breast cancer transformation system that allows investigation of early molecular changes. HER2 overexpression to similar levels as those observed in a subtype of HER2-positive breast cancer patients induced transformation of MCF10A cells and resulted in gross morphological changes, increased anchorage-independent growth of cells, and altered the transcriptional programme of genes associated with oncogenic transformation. Global phosphoproteomic analysis during HER2 induction predominantly detected an increase in protein phosphorylation. Intriguingly, this correlated with chromatin opening, as measured by ATAC-seq on acini isolated from 3D cell culture. HER2 overexpression resulted in opening of many distal regulatory regions and promoted reprogramming-associated heterogeneity. We found that a subset of cells acquired a dedifferentiated breast stem-like phenotype, making them likely candidates for malignant transformation. Our data show that this population of cells, which counterintuitively enriches for relatively low HER2 protein abundance and increased chromatin accessibility, possesses transformational drive, resulting in increased anchorage-independent growth in vitro compared to cells not displaying a stem-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ateequllah Hayat
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE, UK
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Edward P. Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hamish W. King
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Aysegul Ors
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA
| | - Aaron Doe
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA
| | - Saul A. Teijeiro
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Sarah Charrot
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Susana Godinho
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Pedro Cutillas
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hisham Mohammed
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA
| | - Richard P. Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Gabriella Ficz
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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Ochoa S, Hernández-Lemus E. Functional impact of multi-omic interactions in breast cancer subtypes. Front Genet 2023; 13:1078609. [PMID: 36685900 PMCID: PMC9850112 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1078609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-omic approaches are expected to deliver a broader molecular view of cancer. However, the promised mechanistic explanations have not quite settled yet. Here, we propose a theoretical and computational analysis framework to semi-automatically produce network models of the regulatory constraints influencing a biological function. This way, we identified functions significantly enriched on the analyzed omics and described associated features, for each of the four breast cancer molecular subtypes. For instance, we identified functions sustaining over-representation of invasion-related processes in the basal subtype and DNA modification processes in the normal tissue. We found limited overlap on the omics-associated functions between subtypes; however, a startling feature intersection within subtype functions also emerged. The examples presented highlight new, potentially regulatory features, with sound biological reasons to expect a connection with the functions. Multi-omic regulatory networks thus constitute reliable models of the way omics are connected, demonstrating a capability for systematic generation of mechanistic hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Ochoa
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico,Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Hernández-Lemus
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico,Center for Complexity Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico,*Correspondence: Enrique Hernández-Lemus,
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Xie Z, Li J, Liu C, Zhao T, Xing Y. Identification of novel immune ferroptosis-related genes associated with clinical and prognostic features in breast cancer. Front Genet 2023; 14:1173159. [PMID: 37124611 PMCID: PMC10132627 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1173159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, it is critical to identify potential targets and prognostic biomarkers. Ferroptosis combined with immunity shows a pivotal role in a variety of tumors, which provides new opportunities to detect and treat breast cancer. Methods: Our first step was to combine multiple datasets to search for immune ferroptosis-related mRNAs. In the next step, risk signatures were created using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). After that, based on the results of the multivariate Cox analysis, we created a prognostic nomogram and validated the model's accuracy. Finally, functional enrichment analysis, single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), immunity and drug sensitivity correlation analysis were performed to explore the possible mechanisms by which these immune ferroptosis associated mRNAs affect BRCA survival. Results: An immune ferroptosis signature (IFRSig) consisting of 5 mRNAs was constructed and showed excellent predictability in the training and validation cohorts. A correlation analysis revealed that clinical characteristics were closely related to risk characteristics. Our nomogram model, which we created by combining risk characteristics and clinical parameters, was proven to be accurate at predicting BRCA prognosis. Further, we divided patients into lowrisk and high-risk groups based on the expression of the model-related genes. Compared with low-risk group, high-risk group showed lower levels of immune cell infiltration, immune-related functions, and immune checkpoints molecules, which may associate with the poor prognosis. Discussion: The IFRSig could be used to predict overall survival (OS) and treatment response in BRCA patients and could be viewed as an independent prognostic factor. The findings in this study shed light on the role of immune ferroptosis in the progression of BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlan Xie
- Department of Pathology, Tongling People’s Hospital, Tongling, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Tongling Vocational and Technical College, Tongling, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tongling People’s Hospital, Tongling, China
| | - Tie Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tongling People’s Hospital, Tongling, China
| | - Yixiang Xing
- Department of Pathology, Tongling People’s Hospital, Tongling, China
- *Correspondence: Yixiang Xing,
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20
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Hintelmann K, Petersen C, Borgmann K. Radiotherapeutic Strategies to Overcome Resistance of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases by Considering Immunogenic Aspects of Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:211. [PMID: 36612206 PMCID: PMC9818478 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women, and symptomatic brain metastases (BCBMs) occur in 15-20% of metastatic breast cancer cases. Despite technological advances in radiation therapy (RT), the prognosis of patients is limited. This has been attributed to radioresistant breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), among other factors. The aim of this review article is to summarize the evidence of cancer-stem-cell-mediated radioresistance in brain metastases of breast cancer from radiobiologic and radiation oncologic perspectives to allow for the better interpretability of preclinical and clinical evidence and to facilitate its translation into new therapeutic strategies. To this end, the etiology of brain metastasis in breast cancer, its radiotherapeutic treatment options, resistance mechanisms in BCSCs, and effects of molecularly targeted therapies in combination with radiotherapy involving immune checkpoint inhibitors are described and classified. This is considered in the context of the central nervous system (CNS) as a particular metastatic niche involving the blood-brain barrier and the CNS immune system. The compilation of this existing knowledge serves to identify possible synergistic effects between systemic molecularly targeted therapies and ionizing radiation (IR) by considering both BCSCs' relevant resistance mechanisms and effects on normal tissue of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hintelmann
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Experimental Radiooncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Borgmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Experimental Radiooncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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21
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Pore AA, Bithi SS, Zeinali M, Navaid HB, Nagrath S, Layeequr Rahman R, Vanapalli SA. Phenotyping of rare circulating cells in the blood of non-metastatic breast cancer patients using microfluidic Labyrinth technology. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:064107. [PMID: 36536791 PMCID: PMC9759355 DOI: 10.1063/5.0129602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Label-free technologies for isolating rare circulating cells in breast cancer patients are widely available; however, they are mostly validated on metastatic patient blood samples. Given the need to use blood-based biomarkers to inform on disease progression and treatment decisions, it is important to validate these technologies in non-metastatic patient blood samples. In this study, we specifically focus on a recently established label-free microfluidic technology Labyrinth and assess its capabilities to phenotype a variety of rare circulating tumor cells indicative of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as well as cancer-associated macrophage-like (CAML) cells. We specifically chose a patient cohort that is non-metastatic and selected to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy to assess the performance of the Labyrinth technology. We enrolled 21 treatment naïve non-metastatic breast cancer patients of various disease stages. Our results indicate that (i) Labyrinth microfluidic technology is successfully able to isolate different phenotypes of CTCs despite the counts being low. (ii) Invasive phenotypes of CTCs such as transitioning CTCs and mesenchymal CTCs were found to be present in high numbers in stage III patients as compared to stage II patients. (iii) As the total load of CTCs increased, the mesenchymal CTCs were found to be increasing. (iv) Labyrinth was able to isolate CAMLs with the counts being higher in stage III patients as compared to stage II patients. Our study demonstrates the ability of the Labyrinth microfluidic technology to isolate rare cancer-associated cells from the blood of treatment naïve non-metastatic breast cancer patients, laying the foundation for tracking oncogenic spread and immune response in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adity A. Pore
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA
| | - Swastika S. Bithi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA
| | - Mina Zeinali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 79430, USA
| | - Hunaiz Bin Navaid
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA
| | - Sunitha Nagrath
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 79430, USA
| | | | - Siva A. Vanapalli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA
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22
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Pattanayak B, Lameirinhas A, Torres-Ruiz S, Burgués O, Rovira A, Martínez MT, Tapia M, Zazo S, Albanell J, Rojo F, Bermejo B, Eroles P. Role of SALL4 in HER2+ Breast Cancer Progression: Regulating PI3K/AKT Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13292. [PMID: 36362083 PMCID: PMC9655635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment for the HER2+ breast cancer subtype is still unsatisfactory, despite breakthroughs in research. The discovery of various new molecular mechanisms of transcription factors may help to make treatment regimens more effective. The transcription factor SALL4 has been related to aggressiveness and resistance therapy in cancer. Its molecular mechanisms and involvement in various signaling pathways are unknown in the HER2+ breast cancer subtype. In this study, we have evaluated the implication of SALL4 in the HER2+ subtype through its expression in patients' samples and gain and loss of function in HER2+ cell lines. We found higher SALL4 expression in breast cancer tissues compared to healthy tissue. Interestingly, high SALL4 expression was associated with disease relapse and poor patient survival. In HER2+ cell lines, transient overexpression of SALL4 modulates PI3K/AKT signaling through regulating PTEN expression and BCL2, which increases cell survival and proliferation while reducing the efficacy of trastuzumab. SALL4 has also been observed to regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness features. SALL4 overexpression significantly reduced the epithelial markers E-cadherin, while it increased the mesenchymal markers β-catenin, vimentin and fibronectin. Furthermore, it has been also observed an increased expression of MYC, an essential transcription factor for regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and/or cancer stem cells. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, the importance of SALL4 in the HER2+ subtype and partial regulation of trastuzumab sensitivity. It provides a viable molecular mechanism-driven therapeutic strategy for an important subset of HER2-overexpressing patients whose malignancies are mediated by SALL4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Lameirinhas
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Burgués
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Rovira
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Teresa Martínez
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Tapia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandra Zazo
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Albanell
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Federico Rojo
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bermejo
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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23
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Dorraji E, Borgen E, Segura-Peña D, Rawat P, Smorodina E, Dunn C, Greiff V, Sekulić N, Russnes H, Kyte JA. Development of a High-Affinity Antibody against the Tumor-Specific and Hyperactive 611-p95HER2 Isoform. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194859. [PMID: 36230782 PMCID: PMC9563779 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the present study, we addressed the unmet need for a molecular antibody (mAb) with high affinity and specificity against a truncated hyperactive isoform of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), called 611-carboxy terminal fragment (CTF)-p95HER2. Patients with p95HER2+ breast cancer are at risk of developing metastatic breast cancer with a poor prognosis and resistance to therapies targeting full-length HER2. We have generated a mAb named Oslo-2, which react specifically with 611-CTF-p95HER2 and has a high affinity. We also characterized the antigenic determinant (epitope) on the p95HER2 protein and the antigen-binding site (paratope) on the Oslo-2 mAb. The antibody can be used to develop antibody- or cell-based therapies targeting p95HER2, as well as a diagnostic assay to identify p95HER2+ disease. Abstract The expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a key classification factor in breast cancer. Many breast cancers express isoforms of HER2 with truncated carboxy-terminal fragments (CTF), collectively known as p95HER2. A common p95HER2 isoform, 611-CTF, is a biomarker for aggressive disease and confers resistance to therapy. Contrary to full-length HER2, 611-p95HER2 has negligible normal tissue expression. There is currently no approved diagnostic assay to identify this subgroup and no therapy targeting this mechanism of tumor escape. The purpose of this study was to develop a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against 611-CTF-p95HER2. Hybridomas were generated from rats immunized with cells expressing 611-CTF. A hybridoma producing a highly specific Ab was identified and cloned further as a mAb. This mAb, called Oslo-2, gave strong staining for 611-CTF and no binding to full-length HER2, as assessed in cell lines and tissues by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. No cross-reactivity against HER2 negative controls was detected. Surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrated a high binding affinity (equilibrium dissociation constant 2 nM). The target epitope was identified at the N-terminal end, using experimental alanine scanning. Further, the mAb paratope was identified and characterized with hydrogen-deuterium-exchange, and a molecular model for the (Oslo-2 mAb:611-CTF-p95HER2) complex was generated by an experimental-information-driven docking approach. We conclude that the Oslo-2 mAb has a high affinity and is highly specific for 611-CTF-p95HER2. The Ab may be used to develop potent and safe therapies, overcoming p95HER2-mediated tumor escape, as well as for developing diagnostic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeil Dorraji
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elin Borgen
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dario Segura-Peña
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Puneet Rawat
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Smorodina
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Claire Dunn
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolina Sekulić
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hege Russnes
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence:
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24
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Gámez-Chiachio M, Sarrió D, Moreno-Bueno G. Novel Therapies and Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Anti-HER2-Targeted Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4543. [PMID: 36139701 PMCID: PMC9496705 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis and quality of life of HER2 breast cancer patients have significantly improved due to the crucial clinical benefit of various anti-HER2 targeted therapies. However, HER2 tumors can possess or develop several resistance mechanisms to these treatments, thus leaving patients with a limited set of additional therapeutic options. Fortunately, to overcome this problem, in recent years, multiple different and complementary approaches have been developed (such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)) that are in clinical or preclinical stages. In this review, we focus on emerging strategies other than on ADCs that are either aimed at directly target the HER2 receptor (i.e., novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors) or subsequent intracellular signaling (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, CDK4/6 inhibitors, etc.), as well as on innovative approaches designed to attack other potential tumor weaknesses (such as immunotherapy, autophagy blockade, or targeting of other genes within the HER2 amplicon). Moreover, relevant technical advances such as anti-HER2 nanotherapies and immunotoxins are also discussed. In brief, this review summarizes the impact of novel therapeutic approaches on current and future clinical management of aggressive HER2 breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gámez-Chiachio
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sarrió
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Moreno-Bueno
- Biochemistry Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad Autónoma Madrid-CSIC, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- MD Anderson International Foundation, 28033 Madrid, Spain
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25
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Jiang H, Sun J, Liu F, Wu X, Wen Z. An Immune-Related Long Noncoding RNA Pair as a New Biomarker to Predict the Prognosis of Patients in Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:895200. [PMID: 35812755 PMCID: PMC9257047 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.895200] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Immune-related long non-coding RNAs (irlncRNAs) might remodel the tumor immune microenvironment by changing the inherent properties of tumor cells and the expression of immune genes, which have been used to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy and the prognosis of various tumors. However, the value of irlncRNAs in breast cancer (BRCA) remains unclear.Materials and Methods: Initially, transcriptome data and immune-related gene sets were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The irlncRNAs were extracted from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort) database. Differently expressed irlncRNAs (DEirlncRNAs) were further identified by utilizing the limma R package. Then, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to select the DEirlncRNAs associated with the prognosis of BRCA patients. In addition, the univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the DEirlncRNA pairs with the independent prediction capability of prognosis in BRCA patients. Finally, the chosen DEirlncRNA pair would be evaluated in terms of survival time, clinicopathological characteristics, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immune checkpoints (ICs), signaling pathways, and potential small-molecule drugs.Results: A total of 21 DEirlncRNA pairs were extracted, and among them, lncRNA MIR4435-2HG and lncRNA U62317.1 were chosen to establish a risk signature that served as an independent prognostic biomarker in BRCA patients. Patients in the high-risk group had a worse prognosis than those in the low-risk group, and they also had an abundance of infiltration of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells to enhance the immune response to tumor cells. Furthermore, the risk signature showed a strong correlation with ICs, signaling pathways, and potential small-molecule drugs.Conclusion: Our research revealed that the risk signature independent of specific DEirlncRNA pair expression was closely associated with the prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in BRCA patients and had the potential to function as an independent prognostic biomarker and a predictor of immunotherapy for BRCA patients, which would provide new insights for BRCA accurate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jingxian Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fucong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xincai Wu
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhaohui Wen
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaohui Wen,
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26
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The Breast Cancer Protooncogenes HER2, BRCA1 and BRCA2 and Their Regulation by the iNOS/NOS2 Axis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061195. [PMID: 35740092 PMCID: PMC9227079 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; NOS2) and derived NO in various cancers was reported to exert pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects depending on the levels of expression and the tumor types. In humans, the breast cancer level of iNOS was reported to be overexpressed, to exhibit pro-tumorigenic activities, and to be of prognostic significance. Likewise, the expression of the oncogenes HER2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 has been associated with malignancy. The interrelationship between the expression of these protooncogenes and oncogenes and the expression of iNOS is not clear. We have hypothesized that there exist cross-talk signaling pathways between the breast cancer protooncogenes, the iNOS axis, and iNOS-mediated NO mutations of these protooncogenes into oncogenes. We review the molecular regulation of the expression of the protooncogenes in breast cancer and their interrelationships with iNOS expression and activities. In addition, we discuss the roles of iNOS, HER2, BRCA1/2, and NO metabolism in the pathophysiology of cancer stem cells. Bioinformatic analyses have been performed and have found suggested molecular alterations responsible for breast cancer aggressiveness. These include the association of BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2 amplifications with the dysregulation of the NOS pathway. We propose that future studies should be undertaken to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression of iNOS and various breast cancer oncogenes, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancers that are refractory to current treatments.
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27
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Blocking Gi/o-Coupled Signaling Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells and Sensitizes Breast Tumors to HER2-Targeted Therapies to Inhibit Tumor Relapse. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071719. [PMID: 35406489 PMCID: PMC8997047 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are associated with therapeutic resistance and tumor relapse but effective approaches for eliminating CSCs are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in regulating CSCs in breast cancer. We showed that a subgroup of GPCRs that coupled to Gi/o proteins (Gi/o-GPCRs) was required for maintaining the tumor-forming capability of CSCs in HER2+ breast cancer. Targeting Gi/o-GPCRs or their downstream PI3K/AKT and Src pathways was able to enhance HER2-targeted elimination of CSCs and therapeutic efficacy. These findings suggest that targeting Gi/o-GPCR signaling is an effective strategy for eradicating CSCs, enhancing HER2+ targeted therapy and blocking tumor recurrence. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors that are resistant to anti-tumor therapies, making them a likely origin of tumor relapse after treatment. In many cancers including breast cancer, CSC function is regulated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), making GPCR signaling an attractive target for new therapies designed to eradicate CSCs. Yet, CSCs overexpress multiple GPCRs that are redundant in maintaining CSC function, so it is unclear how to target all the various GPCRs to prevent relapse. Here, in a model of HER2+ breast cancer (i.e., transgenic MMTV-Neu mice), we were able to block the tumorsphere- and tumor-forming capability of CSCs by targeting GPCRs coupled to Gi/o proteins (Gi/o-GPCRs). Similarly, in HER2+ breast cancer cells, blocking signaling downstream of Gi/o-GPCRs in the PI3K/AKT and Src pathways also enhanced HER2-targeted elimination of CSCs. In a proof-of-concept study, when CSCs were selectively ablated (via a suicide gene construct), loss of CSCs from HER2+ breast cancer cell populations mimicked the effect of targeting Gi/o-GPCR signaling, suppressing their capacity for tumor initiation and progression and enhancing HER2-targeted therapy. Thus, targeting Gi/o-GPCR signaling in HER2+ breast cancer is a promising approach for eradicating CSCs, enhancing HER2+ targeted therapy and blocking tumor reemergence.
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