1
|
Esposito AI, Amaro A, Angelini G, Emionite L, Gennari A, Indraccolo S, Maggi D, Marini C, Salani B, Sambuceti G, Sormani MP, Pfeffer U. Abstract 1182: Metformin affects breast cancer cell growth and disturbs an IGF1/insulin related gene network that correlates with breast cancer progression. Cancer Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2015-1182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Obesity and the insulin resistance syndrome are risk factors for breast cancer and might also affect breast cancer progression. The anti-diabetic drug Metformin (METF) reduces the breast cancer risk in diabetic women. Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin are involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression.
We tested the effect of METF on the IGF1/insulin pathway and its involvement in breast cancer progression.
Methods
We developed a prognostic signature based on IGF1/insulin pathway genes using the Stockholm breast cancer microarray dataset of 149 cases for training and primary validation and the Uppsala dataset of 249 for external validation. The effect of METF on the prognostic gene set identified was tested in vitro on a panel of breast cancer cell lines. METF effects on proliferation and glucose metabolism were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) was silenced by transfection with shRNA-lentiviral vectors. Xenograft growth, in the presence and absence of METF, was studied and 18FDG-uptake was measured in vitro and in vivo.
Results
A 15-gene signature (Insulin sensitivity score, ISS) was developed and predicted breast cancer metastasis with an accuracy similar to the Recurrence Score. ISS genes were expressed at variable levels in a breast cancer cell line panel and showed variable responsiveness to METF. The high expression correlation among the ISS genes observed in untreated breast cancer cell lines was lost upon treatment with METF. METF reduced breast cancer cell growth in vitro with IC50 values ranging from 1mM to 25mM. Growth of MDA-MB-231 cells and hyper-invasive subpopulations derived therefrom was reduced in vivo by oral administration of METF to xenografted nude mice. Response to METF in terms of IC50 values correlated with basal expression of the 15 ISS genes with the strongest inverse correlation observed for IRS2. Stable silencing of IRS2 reduced the MDA-231 cell responsiveness to METF in vitro.
Discussion
METF acts on the insulin/IGF1 axis by disturbing a network of breast cancer progression related genes and appears to depend in its action on the expression of IRS2 that inversely correlates with the sensitivity of cell lines to the drug. The disruption of the ISS gene network is expected to correlate with an effect on breast cancer growth and progression and in fact, mouse xenografts show reduced growth upon treatment with METF. IRS2 appears to be a major mediator of METF effects.
Citation Format: Alessia I. Esposito, Adriana Amaro, Giovanna Angelini, Laura Emionite, Alessandra Gennari, Stefano Indraccolo, Davide Maggi, Cecilia Marini, Barabara Salani, Gianmario Sambuceti, Maria Pia Sormani, Ulrich Pfeffer. Metformin affects breast cancer cell growth and disturbs an IGF1/insulin related gene network that correlates with breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1182. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1182
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Amaro
- 1San Martino Hospital/National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | | | - Laura Emionite
- 1San Martino Hospital/National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Davide Maggi
- 1San Martino Hospital/National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- 4Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, National Research Council, Genova, Italy
| | - Barabara Salani
- 1San Martino Hospital/National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- 1San Martino Hospital/National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Albini A, Rosano C, Angelini G, Amaro A, Esposito AI, Maramotti S, Noonan DM, Pfeffer U. Exogenous hormonal regulation in breast cancer cells by phytoestrogens and endocrine disruptors. Curr Med Chem 2014; 21:458-500. [PMID: 24304271 PMCID: PMC4153070 DOI: 10.2174/09298673113206660291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Observations on the role of ovarian hormones in breast cancer growth, as well as interest in contraception, stimulated research into the biology of estrogens. The identification of the classical receptors ERα and ERβ and the transmembrane receptor GPER and the resolution of the structure of the ligand bound to its receptor established the principal molecular mechanisms of estrogen action. The presence of estrogen-like compounds in many plants used in traditional medicine or ingested as food ingredients, phytoestrogens, as well as the estrogenic activities of many industrial pollutants and pesticides, xenoestrogens, have prompted investigations into their role in human health. Phyto- and xenoestrogens bind to the estrogen receptors with a lower affinity than the endogenous estrogens and can compete or substitute the hormone. Xenoestrogens, which accumulate in the body throughout life, are believed to increase breast cancer risk, especially in cases of prenatal and prepuberal exposure whereas the role of phytoestrogens is still a matter of debate. At present, the application of phytoestrogens appears to be limited to the treatment of post-menopausal symptoms in women where the production of endogenous estrogens has ceased. In this review we discuss chemistry, structure and classification, estrogen signaling and the consequences of the interactions of estrogens, phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens with their receptors, the complex interactions of endogenous and exogenous ligands, the evaluation of the health risks related to xenoestrogens, and the perspectives toward the synthesis of potent third generation selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - U Pfeffer
- Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria, Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Viale Dunant, n.3 Varese, Italy, 21100.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bruno A, Dallaglio K, Cantelmo AR, Esposito AI, Ruggiero L, Orecchioni S, Callieri A, Bertolini F, Pfeffer U, Noonan DM, Albini A. Abstract 1010: Paradoxic effects of metformin on endothelial cells and angiogenesis. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence has suggested that metformin, an anti-hyperglycemic agent commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is a potential cancer preventive agent. Anti-angiogenesis represents a key mechanism in cancer prevention, a concept termed angioprevention. Since conflicting data concerning the anti-angiogenic action of metformin are emerging, we elucidate the effects of metformin, on endothelial and tumor cells as well as on angiogenesis using in vitro, in vivo and transcriptomic approaches. We show that metformin inhibits endothelial cell ability to organize into capillary-like networks; this effect is partially dependent on the energy sensor AMPK. Gene expression and proteins profiling revealed paradoxic effects on several angiogenesis associated factors. We found induction of VEGF, COX2 and CXCR4 at the mRNA level and down-regulation of ADAMTS1. Interestingly, antibody array analysis showed essentially opposite regulation of numerous angiogenesis-associated proteins in endothelial and breast cancer cells.
We also show that endothelial production of cytochrome p450 family member CYP1B1 was up-regulated by tumor cell supernatants, while metformin blocked this effect by acting on AMPK. The metformin anti-angiogenic activity was exerted through inhibition of ERK1/2 activation, even in the presence of VEGF, while blocking AMPK activity abrogated this effect. Metformin inhibited angiogenesis induced by VEGF in matrigel pellets in vivo and contrasted the increase in microvessel density in obese mice on a high fat diet. Further, it down-regulated the number of endothelial precursor cells from white adipose tissue in obese mice. Our data show that metformin has an anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo, which is associated with a contradictory enhancement of chemokines and other inflammatory pro-angiogenic mediators, as well as a different regulation in endothelial and breast cancer cells.
Citation Format: Antonino Bruno, Katiuscia Dallaglio, Anna Rita Cantelmo, Alessia I. Esposito, Luca Ruggiero, Stefania Orecchioni, Angelica Callieri, Francesco Bertolini, Ulrich Pfeffer, Douglas M. Noonan, Adriana Albini. Paradoxic effects of metformin on endothelial cells and angiogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1010. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1010
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Bruno
- 1Scientific and Technologic Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Dallaglio
- 2Research and Statistics Department, IRCCS “Tecnologie Avanzate e Modelli Assistenziali in Oncologia” Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy, Reggio Emilia, Italy, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Cantelmo
- 1Scientific and Technologic Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Alessia I. Esposito
- 3Integrated Molecular Pathology, IRCCS AOU San Martino – IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy, Genova, Italy, Italy
| | - Luca Ruggiero
- 1Scientific and Technologic Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Stefania Orecchioni
- 44Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Angelica Callieri
- 44Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertolini
- 5Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- 3Integrated Molecular Pathology, IRCCS AOU San Martino – IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy, Genova, Italy, Italy
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- 6Scientific and Technologic Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Milan, Italy, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- 7Scientific and Technologic Park, IRCCS MultiMedica, Italy Research and Statistics Department, IRCCS, Milan (Italy) and Reggio Emilia (Italy), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amaro AA, Esposito AI, Mirisola V, Mehilli A, Rosano C, Noonan DM, Albini A, Pfeffer U, Angelini G. Endocrine disruptor agent nonyl phenol exerts an estrogen-like transcriptional activity on estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells. Curr Med Chem 2014; 21:630-40. [PMID: 23862621 DOI: 10.2174/09298673113209990169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Several substances widely dispersed in the environment including hormones, industrial by-products and pollutants exert hormone like activity affecting steroid-responsive physiological systems. These compounds, named endocrine disruptors, are suspected to affect the mammalian reproductive system. However it is still unclear whether these substances are able to elicit estrogen like activity at the low concentrations encountered in the environment. Here we compare the effects of the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol with the effects elicited by 17-β-estradiol on gene transcription in the human breast cancer cell line MCF7. The correlation of the nonylphenol induced gene expression alterations with a reference profile of estradiol treated cells shows that nonylphenol at a concentration of 100 nM exerts a significant effect on estrogen responsive gene transcription in MCF7 cells. Most of the genes regulated by 17-β-estradiol respond to the nonylphenol in the same direction though to a much lesser extent. Molecular modeling of the potential interaction of nonylphenol with the estrogen receptor α shows that nonylphenol is likely to bind to the estrogen receptor α.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - G Angelini
- Integrated Molecular Pathology, IRCCS-AUO San Martino-IST, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dallaglio K, Bruno A, Cantelmo AR, Esposito AI, Ruggiero L, Orecchioni S, Calleri A, Bertolini F, Pfeffer U, Noonan DM, Albini A. Paradoxic effects of metformin on endothelial cells and angiogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:1055-66. [PMID: 24419232 PMCID: PMC4004203 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the effect of metformin on the mechanisms of angiogenesis. We show that metformin, particularly in the context of obesity, inhibits angiogenesis in vivo yet shows a contradictory effect on angiogenesis-related genes and proteins that involve AMPK. The biguanide metformin is used in type 2 diabetes management and has gained significant attention as a potential cancer preventive agent. Angioprevention represents a mechanism of chemoprevention, yet conflicting data concerning the antiangiogenic action of metformin have emerged. Here, we clarify some of the contradictory effects of metformin on endothelial cells and angiogenesis, using in vitro and in vivo assays combined with transcriptomic and protein array approaches. Metformin inhibits formation of capillary-like networks by endothelial cells; this effect is partially dependent on the energy sensor adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as shown by small interfering RNA knockdown. Gene expression profiling of human umbilical vein endothelial cells revealed a paradoxical modulation of several angiogenesis-associated genes and proteins by metformin, with short-term induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase 2 and CXC chemokine receptor 4 at the messenger RNA level and downregulation of ADAMTS1. Antibody array analysis shows an essentially opposite regulation of numerous angiogenesis-associated proteins in endothelial and breast cancer cells including interleukin-8, angiogenin and TIMP-1, as well as selective regulation of angiopioetin-1, -2, endoglin and others. Endothelial cell production of the cytochrome P450 member CYP1B1 is upregulated by tumor cell supernatants in an AMPK-dependent manner, metformin blocks this effect. Metformin inhibits VEGF-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and the inhibition of AMPK activity abrogates this event. Metformin hinders angiogenesis in matrigel pellets in vivo, prevents the microvessel density increase observed in obese mice on a high-fat diet, downregulating the number of white adipose tissue endothelial precursor cells. Our data show that metformin has an antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo associated with a contradictory short-term enhancement of pro-angiogenic mediators, as well as with a differential regulation in endothelial and breast cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katiuscia Dallaglio
- Department of Research and Statistics Infrastructure, IRCCS "Tecnologie Avanzate e Modelli Assistenziali in Oncologia"Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Amaro A, Mirisola V, Angelini G, Musso A, Tosetti F, Esposito AI, Perri P, Lanza F, Nasciuti F, Mosci C, Puzone R, Salvi S, Truini M, Poggi A, Pfeffer U. Evidence of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in uveal melanoma: inhibition of epidermal growth factor-mediated signalling by Gefitinib and Cetuximab triggered antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Eur J Cancer 2013; 49:3353-65. [PMID: 23849826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in surgery and radiotherapy of uveal melanoma (UM), many patients develop distant metastases that poorly respond to therapy. Improved therapies for the metastatic disease are therefore urgently needed. Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a target of kinase inhibitors and humanised antibodies in use for several cancers, had been reported. Forty-eight human UMs were analysed by expression profiling. Signalling was tested in three EGFR expressing UM cell lines by Western blotting using phosphorylation specific antibodies for EGFR and the downstream mediators AKT (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Evidence for signalling in tumours was obtained through the application of a UM-specific EGF-signature. The EGFR specific kinase inhibitor, Gefitinib and the humanised monoclonal antibody, Cetuximab, were tested for their effect on EGFR signalling. Natural killer cell mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) release was analysed for Cetuximab. Fourteen of 48 UMs and three of 14 cell lines (over-)express EGFR, at least in part due to trisomy of the EGFR locus on chromosome 7p12. EGFR and the downstream mediator, AKT, are phosphorylated upon stimulation with EGF in EGFR expressing cell lines. EGFR over-expressing tumours but not EGFR negative tumours show an activated EGF-signature. Gefitinib inhibits EGFR and AKT phosphorylation and Cetuximab induces EGFR phosphorylation but inhibits signalling to AKT induced with EGF. Cetuximab triggers natural killer (NK) cells to lyse EGFR+ cell lines and to release TNF-α. EGFR appears suited as a novel molecular drug target for therapy of uveal melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Amaro
- Integrated Molecular Pathology, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pfeffer U, Amaro A, Maffei M, Mirisola V, Esposito AI, Astigiano S, Viale M, Zunino A, Giaretti W, Angelini G. Abstract 496: Isolation and characterization of a highly invasive subpopulation from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2012-496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The acquisition of an invasive phenotype is a pre-requisite for metastasis. We set out to develop cellular systems that can mirror transient and stbale molecular alterations that confer an invasive phenotype to breast cancer cells. We observed that it is possible to isolate invasive subpopulations from moderately invasive cancer cell lines. Enrichment of invasive sub-populations of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in three successive preparative invasion assays in Matrigel covered Boyden chambers yielded a highly invasive cell line. Prolonged cultivation of these cells did not abolish the invasive phenotype although not all phenotypic changes acquired during selection are maintained by long term cultures. Genetic analyses of these cells by cytogenetics and array based comparative genome hybridization revealed many genetic alterations including increased ploidy. The flow cytometric DNA Index (DI) changes from 1.28 to 2.28. Cells with DI 2.28 constitute 1.4% of the parental cell line. Whole genome SNP analysis shows that the two populations are genetically related excluding any cell contamination. The invasive cells proliferate and undergo apoptosis similar to the parental cells. Commitment to apoptosis is increased since invasive cells respond more strongly to curcumin or peroxide induced apoptosis. Invasive cells show relative resistance to the cytotoxic, alkylating agent Doxorubicin and increased sensitivity to the anti-mitotic drugs Vincristine and Taxol. Increased resistance to the topoisomerase II inhibitor Mitoxantrone is observed only transiently in invasive cells and lost in long term cultures. Similarly, the chemokines CXCL1 and -2 are transiently upregulated. Response to the anti-diabetic drug Metformin showed a reduced sensibility for invasive cells in terms of growth inhibition (IC50). Gene expression profiling shows complex alterations in gene expression. Many of the genes that are differentially expressed in highly versus moderately invasive cells are differentially expressed in human breast cancer cases with and without distant metastasis and correlate with disease free survival. The invasive phenotype is not related to stem cell features nor to epithelial mesenchymal transition. These cells constitute a novel model for tumor progression. Tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in vivo are currently being tested.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 496. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-496
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Pfeffer
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Amaro
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Maffei
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Valentina Mirisola
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia I. Esposito
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Simonetta Astigiano
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viale
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zunino
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Walter Giaretti
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| | - Giovanna Angelini
- 1University Hospital San Martino - National Cancer Research Inst., Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|