Clonal heterogeneity in ER+ breast cancer reveals the proteasome and PKC as potential therapeutic targets

Intratumoral heterogeneity impacts the success or failure of anti-cancer therapies. Here, we investigated the evolution and mechanistic heterogeneity in clonal populations of cell models for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. To this end, we established barcoded models of luminal breast cancer and rendered them resistant to commonly applied first line endocrine therapies. By isolating single clones from the resistant cell pools and characterizing replicates of individual clones we observed inter- (between cell lines) and intra-tumor (between different clones from the same cell line) heterogeneity. Molecular characterization at RNA and phospho-proteomic levels revealed private clonal activation of the unfolded protein response and respective sensitivity to inhibition of the proteasome, and potentially shared sensitivities for repression of protein kinase C. Our in vitro findings are consistent with tumor-heterogeneity that is observed in breast cancer patients thus highlighting the need to uncover heterogeneity at an individual patient level and to adjust therapies accordingly.

Stromal NRG1 in luminal breast cancer defines pro-fibrotic and migratory cancer-associated fibroblasts

HER3 is highly expressed in luminal breast cancer subtypes. Its activation by NRG1 promotes activation of AKT and ERK1/2, contributing to tumour progression and therapy resistance. HER3-targeting agents that block this activation, are currently under phase 1/2 clinical studies, and although they have shown favorable tolerability, their activity as a single agent has proven to be limited. Here we show that phosphorylation and activation of HER3 in luminal breast cancer cells occurs in a paracrine manner and is mediated by NRG1 expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Moreover, we uncover a HER3-independent NRG1 signaling in CAFs that results in the induction of a strong migratory and pro-fibrotic phenotype, describing a subtype of CAFs with elevated expression of NRG1 and an associated transcriptomic profile that determines their functional properties. Finally, we identified Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (HAS2), a targetable molecule strongly correlated with NRG1, as an attractive player supporting NRG1 signaling in CAFs.

Abstract 3329: Combinatorial blockade of ERBB receptors in HER2 low breast cancer

Large number of breast cancer patients clinically classified as HER2 negative, show low/moderate levels of HER2 along with other ERBB receptors. Concomitant blockade of EGFR, ERBB2 and ERBB3 with specific therapeutic antibodies (cetuximab, trastuzumab/pertuzumab and lumretuzumab, respectively) appears as a beneficial approach to improve survival of patients who have failed to previous treatment strategies. Additionally, ERBB3 expression has been reported as a trastuzumab resistance mechanism in HER2 positive subtypes.We have confirmed a specific pattern of ERBB receptors expression in different breast cancer subtypes. Individual and combined blockade of the receptors with therapeutic antibodies has been tested in vitro using a metabolic viability assay (Cell Titer Glo) and their effects in cell cycle status measured by BrdU staining. All four therapeutic antibodies bind to the respective extracellular domains inhibiting downstream signaling pathways. Response to individual treatment is cell dependent and correlates with EGFR expression in the triple negative MDA-MB-468 but not in luminal T47D cancer cell line. Response of T47D cells to lumretuzumab is higher when combined with pertuzumab or trastuzumab, suggesting ERBB2/ERBB3 dimer as the most relevant one, an effect more evident upon ectopic addition of NRG1 (only ligand for ERBB3). Long exposure of MDA-MB468 cells to cetuximab induces ERBB3 expression and increases its sensitivity to cetuximab when combined. As well as, in the HER2+ BT474 cancer cell line resistant to trastuzumab, higher levels of ERBB3 also make cells more sensitive to alternative anti-ERBB therapies. To establish the role of ERBB4 (no specific therapeutic antibody) in the whole ERBB network, stable knock-down regulation (shRNA) has been performed in T47D cells. Although treatment of HER2 overexpressing breast tumors has been successful, targeting other ERBB members in a HER2 moderate/low scenario seems to be a promising approach in combinatorial therapies; even in resistant cell lines. Thus, better characterization of ERBB network should help to pave the way for a personalized treatment of HER2 low breast cancer. [U.K.: Deceased March, 2016]

Citation Format: Mireia Berdiel-Acer, Eileen Reinz, Khalid Abnaof, Sara Burmester, Rainer Will, Ulrike Korf, Stefan Wiemann. Combinatorial blockade of ERBB receptors in HER2 low breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3329. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3329

Modeling ERBB receptor-regulated G1/S transition to find novel targets for de novo trastuzumab resistance

Background

In breast cancer, overexpression of the transmembrane tyrosine kinase ERBB2 is an adverse prognostic marker, and occurs in almost 30% of the patients. For therapeutic intervention, ERBB2 is targeted by monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in adjuvant settings; however, de novo resistance to this antibody is still a serious issue, requiring the identification of additional targets to overcome resistance. In this study, we have combined computational simulations, experimental testing of simulation results, and finally reverse engineering of a protein interaction network to define potential therapeutic strategies for de novo trastuzumab resistant breast cancer.

Results

First, we employed Boolean logic to model regulatory interactions and simulated single and multiple protein loss-of-functions. Then, our simulation results were tested experimentally by producing single and double knockdowns of the network components and measuring their effects on G1/S transition during cell cycle progression. Combinatorial targeting of ERBB2 and EGFR did not affect the response to trastuzumab in de novo resistant cells, which might be due to decoupling of receptor activation and cell cycle progression. Furthermore, examination of c-MYC in resistant as well as in sensitive cell lines, using a specific chemical inhibitor of c-MYC (alone or in combination with trastuzumab), demonstrated that both trastuzumab sensitive and resistant cells responded to c-MYC perturbation.

Conclusion

In this study, we connected ERBB signaling with G1/S transition of the cell cycle via two major cell signaling pathways and two key transcription factors, to model an interaction network that allows for the identification of novel targets in the treatment of trastuzumab resistant breast cancer. Applying this new strategy, we found that, in contrast to trastuzumab sensitive breast cancer cells, combinatorial targeting of ERBB receptors or of key signaling intermediates does not have potential for treatment of de novo trastuzumab resistant cells. Instead, c-MYC was identified as a novel potential target protein in breast cancer cells.

How does auxin enhance cell elongation? Roles of auxin-binding proteins and potassium channels in growth control

Elongation growth and a several other phenomena in plant development are controlled by the plant hormone auxin. A number of recent discoveries shed light on one of the classical problems of plant physiology: the perception of the auxin signal. Two types of auxin receptors are currently known: the AFB/TIR family of F box proteins and ABP1. ABP1 appears to control membrane transport processes (H+ secretion, osmotic adjustment) while the TIR/AFBs have a role in auxin-induced gene expression. Models are proposed to explain how membrane transport (e.g., K+ and H+ fluxes) can act as a cross-linker for the control of more complex auxin responses such as the classical stimulation of cell elongation.

Transcription and translation of the outer dense fiber gene (Odf1) during spermiogenesis in the rat. A study by in situ analyses and polysome fractionation

Transcription and translation of the Odf1 gene encoding the major protein of sperm tail outer dense fibers has been investigated in rat spermatogenesis. Odf1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization from step 6 round spermatids up to step 17. The protein was detected immunohistochemically in the cytoplasm of step 7 spermatids up to step 18 and in the sperm tails. The distribution of Odf1 mRNA and the respective transcript sizes in polysomes and translationally inactive nonpolysomal ribonucleoprotein particles has been investigated by fractionation on sucrose gradients and Northern blot analysis of the isolated RNA. In adult rat testis about 30% of Odf1 mRNA is associated with the polysomal fraction, but the bulk is stored in translationally inactive ribonucleoprotein particles. In 35-day old rat testis, in which spermatids have reached step 15 of spermiogenesis, only about 10% of Odf1 mRNA can be found in the polysomal fraction. It seems therefore, that translation of Odf1 is greatly enhanced in the maturation phase of spermiogenesis during which a marked increase in diameter of outer dense fibers takes place. In the polysomal fraction, Odf1 transcripts are of heterogeneous size. Northern blot analysis of fractionated RNA digested with RHaseH revealed the presence of both Odf1 transcripts (Burfeind and Hoyer-Fender, 1991: Dev Biol 148: 195-204; Burfeind et al., 1993: Eur J Biochem 216: 497-505) on polysomes. While the larger transcript population is heterogeneous in size due to variable polyA-shortening, the smaller transcript population is not deadenylated compared to those present in nonpolysomal fractions.