scholarly journals Biologic Roles of Estrogen Receptor-βand Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalo Hamilton ◽  
Diana Márquez-Garbán ◽  
Vei Mah ◽  
Gowry Fernando ◽  
Yahya Elshimali ◽  
...  

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) occurs in 10–15% of patients yet accounts for almost half of all breast cancer deaths. TNBCs lack expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER-2 overexpression and cannot be treated with current targeted therapies. TNBCs often occur in African American and younger women. Although initially responsive to some chemotherapies, TNBCs tend to relapse and metastasize. Thus, it is critical to find new therapeutic targets. A second ER gene product, termed ERβ, in the absence of ERαmay be such a target. Using human TNBC specimens with known clinical outcomes to assess ERβexpression, we find that ERβ1 associates with significantly worse 5-year overall survival. Further, a panel of TNBC cell lines exhibit significant levels of ERβprotein. To assess ERβeffects on proliferation, ERβexpression in TNBC cells was silenced using shRNA, resulting in a significant reduction in TNBC proliferation. ERβ-specific antagonists similarly suppressed TNBC growth. Growth-stimulating effects of ERβmay be due in part to downstream actions that promote VEGF, amphiregulin, and Wnt-10b secretion, other factors associated with tumor promotion.In vivo, insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2), along with ERβ1, is significantly expressed in TNBC and stimulates high ERβmRNA in TNBC cells. This work may help elucidate the interplay of metabolic and growth factors in TNBC.

BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradip Shahi Thakuri ◽  
Megha Gupta ◽  
Sunil Singh ◽  
Ramila Joshi ◽  
Eric Glasgow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cell migration and invasion are essential processes for metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Significant progress has been made in developing new therapies against oncogenic signaling to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. However, inherent heterogeneity and treatment-induced adaptation to drugs commonly enable subsets of cancer cells to survive therapy. In addition to local recurrence, these cells escape a primary tumor and migrate through the stroma to access the circulation and metastasize to different organs, leading to an incurable disease. As such, therapeutics that block migration and invasion of cancer cells may inhibit or reduce metastasis and significantly improve cancer therapy. This is particularly more important for cancers, such as triple negative breast cancer, that currently lack targeted drugs. Methods We used cell migration, 3D invasion, zebrafish metastasis model, and phosphorylation analysis of 43 protein kinases in nine triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines to study effects of fisetin and quercetin on inhibition of TNBC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Results Fisetin and quercetin were highly effective against migration of all nine TNBC cell lines with up to 76 and 74% inhibitory effects, respectively. In addition, treatments significantly reduced 3D invasion of highly motile TNBC cells from spheroids into a collagen matrix and their metastasis in vivo. Fisetin and quercetin commonly targeted different components and substrates of the oncogenic PI3K/AKT pathway and significantly reduced their activities. Additionally, both compounds disrupted activities of several protein kinases in MAPK and STAT pathways. We used molecular inhibitors specific to these signaling proteins to establish the migration-inhibitory role of the two phytochemicals against TNBC cells. Conclusions We established that fisetin and quercetin potently inhibit migration of metastatic TNBC cells by interfering with activities of oncogenic protein kinases in multiple pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15047-e15047
Author(s):  
Surender Kharbanda ◽  
Anees Mohammad ◽  
Sachchidanand Tiwari ◽  
Neha Mehrotra ◽  
Sireesh Appajosyula ◽  
...  

e15047 Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancers and differ from other types of invasive breast cancers in that they grow and spread faster. TNBCs have limited treatment options and a worse prognosis. Therapy with anthracyclines considered to be one of the most effective agents in the treatment. Unfortunately, resistance to anthracycline therapy is very common due to drug efflux mediated by overexpression of ABC transporter. Pirarubicin (PIRA), an analogue of doxorubicin (DOX), is approved in Japan, Korea and China and is shown to be less cardiotoxic than DOX. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in tumorigenesis and biology of TNBC. Targeting CSCs may be a promising, novel strategy for the treatment of this aggressive disease. Recent studies have shown that salinomycin (SAL) preferentially targets the viability of CSCs. Methods: SAL and PIRA were co-encapsulated in polylactic acid (PLA)-based block copolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to efficiently co-deliver these agents to treat TNBC cells. Results: Generated SAL-PIRA co-encapsulated dual drug-loaded NPs showed an average diameter of 110 ± 7 nm, zeta potential of -12.5 mV and PDI of less than 0.25. Both of these anti-cancer agents showed slow and sustained release profile in non-physiological buffer (PBS, pH 7.4) from these dual drug-encapsulated NPs. Additionally, multiple ratios (PIRA:SAL = 3:1, 1:1, 1:3) were encapsulated to generate diverse dual drug-loaded NPs. The results demonstrate that, in contrast to 1:1 and 3:1, treatment of TNBC cells with 1:3 ratio of PIRA:SAL dual drug-loaded NPs, was associated with significant inhibition of growth in vitro in multiple TNBC cell lines. Interestingly, PIRA:SAL (1:3) was synergistic as compared to either SAL- or PIRA single drug-loaded NPs. The IC50 of PIRA and SAL in single drug-encapsulated NPs is 150 nM and 700 nM respectively in MDA-MB-468. Importantly, the IC50 of PIRA in dual drug-encapsulated NPs dropped down to 30 nM (5-fold). Similar results were obtained in SUM-149 TNBC cell line. Studies are underway to evaluate in vivo biological activity of PIRA:SAL (1:3) on tumor growth in a TNBC xenograft mice model. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that a novel dual drug-loaded NP formulation of PIRA and SAL in a unique ratio of 1:3 represents an approach for successful targeting of CSCs and bulk tumor cells in TNBC and potentially other cancer types.


Author(s):  
Khanh Tran

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by the lack of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors, and HER-2 receptors. Thus, TNBC tumours do not benefit from the current therapies targeting ER or HER-2. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel treatment for this subtype of breast cancer. Marijuana is a common name given to Cannabis plants, a group of plants in the Cannabis genus of the Cannabaceae family. Cannabis plants are among the oldest cultivated crops, traced back at least 12,000 years and are well known for their multi-purpose usage, including medicinal purposes. The main active compounds extracted from Cannabis plants are 21-carbon-containing terpenophenolics, which are referred to as phytocannabinoids. Of these, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) group contains highly potent cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆8-THC), which are the most abundant THCs and are largely responsible for psychological and physiological effects of marijuana. The use of Cannabis plants for medicinal purposes was first recorded in 2337 BC in China, where Cannabis plants were used to treat pains, rheumatism, and gout. Recently, several cannabinoids have been approved for a number of treatments, one of which is the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Furthermore, increasing evidence shows that cannabinoids not only attenuate side effects due to cancer treatment, but might also potentially possess direct antitumor effects in several cancer types, including breast cancer. However, anti-tumour activity of marijuana has been variable in different studies and even promoted tumour growth in some cases. In addition, the mechanisms of cannabinoid action in cancer remain unclear. This review summarizes evidence about the mixed actions of cannabinoids in cancer in general and triple-negative breast cancer in particular.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiwei Shi ◽  
Ding Ma ◽  
Yin Cao ◽  
Lili Hu ◽  
Shuwen Liu ◽  
...  

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) features a poor prognosis, which is partially attributed to its high metastatic rate. However, there is no effective target for systemic TNBC therapy due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors (ER, PR, and HER-2, respectively) in cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the role of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) and its catalyst sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in TNBC metastasis and the effect of the SphK2-specific inhibitor ABC294640 on TNBC metastasis.MethodsThe function of SphK2 and S1P in TNBC cell metastasis was evaluated using transwell migration and wound-healing assays. The molecular mechanism of SphK2/S1P mediating TNBC metastasis was investigated using Western blot, histological examination, and immunohistochemistry assays. The antitumor activity of ABC294640 was examined in an in vivo TNBC lung metastatic model.ResultsSphingosine kinase 2 promoted TNBC cell migration through the generation of S1P. Targeting SphK2 with ABC294640 inhibited TNBC lung metastasis in vivo. p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), p-Lin-11/Isl-1/Mec-3 kinase 1 (LIMK1), and Cofilin1 were the downstream signaling molecules of SphK2/S1P. Inhibition of PAK1 suppressed SphK2/S1P-induced TNBC cell migration.ConclusionSphingosine kinase 2/sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes TNBC metastasis through the activation of the PAK1/LIMK1/Cofilin1 signaling pathway. ABC294640 inhibits TNBC metastasis in vivo and could be developed as a novel agent for the clinical treatment of TNBC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yu-Chen Cai ◽  
Hang Yang ◽  
Hong-Bo Shan ◽  
Hui-Fang Su ◽  
Wen-Qi Jiang ◽  
...  

Background. 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphate-4 (PFKFB4) is a key factor that plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, its role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression needs to be further validated. We investigated whether PFKFB4 is directly involved in the oncogenic signaling networks of TNBC. Methods. First, we assessed the expression level of PFKFB4 in tumor tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry and evaluated its prognostic value. Next, the effect of PFKFB4 on TNBC cell growth and associated mechanisms were investigated. Finally, the results were further verified in vivo. Results. We found that PFKFB4 overexpression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in TNBC patients. PFKFB4 was overexpressed in TNBC cell lines in hypoxic environments, and its overexpression promoted tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Further analyses demonstrated that the possible mechanism might be that PFKFB4 overexpression facilitates TNBC progression by enhancing the G1/S phase transition by increasing the protein level of CDK6 and phosphorylation of Rb. Conclusions. These data suggest that PFKFB4 plays significant roles in the tumorigenesis and development of TNBC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanhang Yu ◽  
Han Liao ◽  
Rong Xie ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Renjing Zheng ◽  
...  

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lack of expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2, which are common therapeutic targets. CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib has been approved as an anti-cancer agent for breast cancer. However, identifying biomarkers that predict the response to Palbociclib has always been a challenge for molecular targeted therapy. In this study, we identify microRNA as a hallmark in TNBC patients and explore if miR-3613-3p might serve as a tumor suppressor biomarker for triple negative breast cancer patients and if overexpression of miR-3613-3p could enhance the sensitivity of TNBC cells to Palbociclib. We show that the expression of miR3613-3p was down-regulated in TNBC tumors and cells, and the overexpression of miR-3613-3p in patients’ tumor tissues was clinically and pathologically correlated with favorable prognosis, such as smaller tumor size and the lower Ki-67. In vitro, overexpression of miR-3613-3p inhibited cell proliferation, induced G1 cell-cycle arrest, and enhanced the sensitivity of TNBC cells to Palbociclib treatment. In vivo study revealed that overexpression of miR-3613-3p inhibited TNBC tumorigenesis and exerted a significant inhibitory effect of Palbociclib on MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanically, SMAD2 and EZH2 were found to be two direct targets of miR-3613-3p and mediate the proliferation of TNBC cells and the sensitivity of the cells to Palbociclib through inducing cellular senescence. Our findings suggested that miR-3613-3p acts as a cancer-suppressor miRNA in TNBC. Moreover, our study showed that miR-3613-3p might be used as a predictive biomarker for the response of TNBC to Palbociclib.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie L. Griffiths ◽  
Jacqueline L. Olin

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive variant of breast cancer, is characterized by lack of expression of the estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PRs) and the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2) that are commonly observed in other breast cancer subtypes. The TNBC subtype primarily occurs in younger women of African American or Hispanic descent and tumors tend to be high grade and initially responsive to chemotherapy. However, TNBC is characteristically aggressive with high recurrence, metastatic, and mortality rates. Treatment options are limited since the hormonal receptor and HER-2 antagonists typically used for other breast cancers are ineffective. As such, the mainstay of treatment of TNBC is traditional systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy. Potential future therapies for TNBC include targeted molecular strategies including poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents. Further research aimed at identifying unique genetic characteristics of TNBC may allow development of other targeted molecular chemotherapy treatment options.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document