HER2+breast cancer cells undergo apoptosis upon exposure to tannic acid released from remodeled cross-linked collagen type I

The identification of clinically important molecular mechanisms driving endocrine resistance is a priority in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Although both genomic and non-genomic cross-talk between the ER and growth factor receptors such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has frequently been associated with both experimental and clinical endocrine therapy resistance, combined targeting of ER and HER2 has failed to improve overall survival in endocrine non-responsive disease. Herein, we questioned the role of fatty acid synthase (FASN), a lipogenic enzyme linked to HER2-driven breast cancer aggressiveness, in the development and maintenance of hormone-independent growth and resistance to anti-estrogens in ER/HER2-positive (ER+/HER2+) breast cancer. The stimulatory effects of estradiol on FASN gene promoter activity and protein expression were blunted by anti-estrogens in endocrine-responsive breast cancer cells. Conversely, an AKT/MAPK-related constitutive hyperactivation of FASN gene promoter activity was unaltered in response to estradiol in non-endocrine responsive ER+/HER2+ breast cancer cells, and could be further enhanced by tamoxifen. Pharmacological blockade with structurally and mechanistically unrelated FASN inhibitors fully impeded the strong stimulatory activity of tamoxifen on the soft-agar colony forming capacity—an in vitro metric of tumorigenicity—of ER+/HER2+ breast cancer cells. In vivo treatment with a FASN inhibitor completely prevented the agonistic tumor-promoting activity of tamoxifen and fully restored its estrogen antagonist properties against ER/HER2-positive xenograft tumors in mice. Functional cancer proteomic data from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) revealed that the ER+/HER2+ subtype was the highest FASN protein expressor compared to basal-like, HER2-enriched, and ER+/HER2-negative breast cancer groups. FASN is a biological determinant of HER2-driven endocrine resistance in ER+ breast cancer. Next-generation, clinical-grade FASN inhibitors may be therapeutically relevant to countering resistance to tamoxifen in FASN-overexpressing ER+/HER2+ breast carcinomas.

Download Full-text

Matrix degradation and cell proliferation are coupled to promote invasion and escape from an engineered human breast microtumor

Integrative Biology ◽

10.1093/intbio/zyaa026 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 17-29

Author(s):

Emann M Rabie ◽

Sherry X Zhang ◽

Andreas P Kourouklis ◽

A Nihan Kilinc ◽

Allison K Simi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Type I ◽

Matrix Degradation ◽

Human Breast ◽

Rate Of Invasion

Abstract Metastasis, the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients, depends upon the ability of cancer cells to invade into the extracellular matrix that surrounds the primary tumor and to escape into the vasculature. To investigate the features of the microenvironment that regulate invasion and escape, we generated solid microtumors of MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells within gels of type I collagen. The microtumors were formed at defined distances adjacent to an empty cavity, which served as an artificial vessel into which the constituent tumor cells could escape. To define the relative contributions of matrix degradation and cell proliferation on invasion and escape, we used pharmacological approaches to block the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or to arrest the cell cycle. We found that blocking MMP activity prevents both invasion and escape of the breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, blocking proliferation increases the rate of invasion but has no effect on that of escape. We found that arresting the cell cycle increases the expression of MMPs, consistent with the increased rate of invasion. To gain additional insight into the role of cell proliferation in the invasion process, we generated microtumors from cells that express the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator. We found that the cells that initiate invasions are preferentially quiescent, whereas cell proliferation is associated with the extension of invasions. These data suggest that matrix degradation and cell proliferation are coupled during the invasion and escape of human breast cancer cells and highlight the critical role of matrix proteolysis in governing tumor phenotype.

Download Full-text

MicroRNA in combination with HER2-targeting drugs reduces breast cancer cell viability in vitro

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90385-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lisa Svartdal Normann ◽

Miriam Ragle Aure ◽

Suvi-Katri Leivonen ◽

Mads Haugland Haugen ◽

Vesa Hongisto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Targeted Treatment ◽

Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽

Altered Expression ◽

Her2 Breast Cancer

AbstractHER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer patients that do not respond to targeted treatment have a poor prognosis. The effects of targeted treatment on endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression levels are unclear. We report that responsive HER2 + breast cancer cell lines had a higher number of miRNAs with altered expression after treatment with trastuzumab and lapatinib compared to poorly responsive cell lines. To evaluate whether miRNAs can sensitize HER2 + cells to treatment, we performed a high-throughput screen of 1626 miRNA mimics and inhibitors in combination with trastuzumab and lapatinib in HER2 + breast cancer cells. We identified eight miRNA mimics sensitizing cells to targeted treatment, miR-101-5p, mir-518a-5p, miR-19b-2-5p, miR-1237-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-744-3p. A higher expression of miR-101-5p predicted better prognosis in patients with HER2 + breast cancer (OS: p = 0.039; BCSS: p = 0.012), supporting the tumor-suppressing role of this miRNA. In conclusion, we have identified miRNAs that sensitize HER2 + breast cancer cells to targeted therapy. This indicates the potential of combining targeted drugs with miRNAs to improve current treatments for HER2 + breast cancers.

Download Full-text

PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to increase anticancer activities and reduce cardiotoxicity during doxorubicin and trastuzumab, as sequential treatment, through MyD88/NF-kB/mTORC1 pathways.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e15039 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e15039-e15039

Author(s):

Vincenzo Quagliariello ◽

Simona Buccolo ◽

Martina Iovine ◽

Andrea Paccone ◽

Annamaria Bonelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Statin Therapy ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Sequential Treatment ◽

Pcsk9 Inhibitor ◽

Her2 Breast Cancer

e15039 Background: Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has emerged as a novel therapy to treat hypercholesterolaemia and related cardiovascular diseases. Evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases when added to maximally tolerated statin therapy (± ezetimibe), and recent data from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial indicate that alirocumab added to maximally tolerated statin therapy (± other lipid-lowering drugs) reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome. Methods: Human fetal cardiomyocytes (HFC cell line), human HER2+ breast cancer cells were exposed to subclinical concentration of doxorubicin, trastuzumab, sequential treatment of both (all 100 nM), alone or in combination with evolocumab (50 nM) for 24 and 48h. After the incubation period, we performed the following tests: determination of cell viability, through analysis of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, study of lipid peroxidation (quantifying cellular Malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal), intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Moreover, pro-inflammatory studied were also performed (activation of NLRP3 inflammasome; expression of TLR4/MyD88; mTORC1 Fox01/3a; transcriptional activation of p65/NF-κB and secretion of cytokines involved in cardiotoxicity (Interleukins 1β, 8, 6). Results: Evolocumab co-incubated with doxorubicin alone or in sequence with trastuzumab exerts cardioprotective effects, enhancing cell viability of 35-43% compared to untreated cells (p < 0,05 for all); in cardiomyocytes Evolocumab reduced significantly the cardiotoxicity through MyD88/NF-KB/cytokines axis and mTORC1 Fox01/3α mediated mechanisms. In human HER2+ breast cancer cells, co-exposure of Evolocumab with doxorubicin and trastuzumab increased significantly cell apoptosis and necrosis through the involvement of key cytokines involved in chemoresistence. Conclusions: We demonstrated, for the first time, that the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab exerts direct effects in cardiomyocytes and human HER2+ breast cancer cells during doxorubicin and trastuzumab exposure turning on a new light on its possible use in the management of breast cancer therapies.

Download Full-text

In PC3 prostate cancer cells ephrin receptors crosstalk to β1-integrins to strengthen adhesion to collagen type I

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/srep08206 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Miao Yu ◽

Jinghe Wang ◽

Daniel J. Muller ◽

Jonne Helenius

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Collagen Type ◽

Collagen Type I ◽

Type I ◽

Prostate Cancer Cells ◽

Ephrin Receptors ◽

Β1 Integrins

Download Full-text

Nanostructured Dihydroartemisinin Plus Epirubicin Liposomes Enhance Treatment Efficacy of Breast Cancer by Inducing Autophagy and Apoptosis

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano8100804 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 804 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ying-Jie Hu ◽

Jing-Ying Zhang ◽

Qian Luo ◽

Jia-Rui Xu ◽

Yan Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Therapeutic Strategy ◽

Beclin 1 ◽

Type I ◽

Programmed Death ◽

Cancer Tissues

The heterogeneity of breast cancer and the development of drug resistance are the relapse reasons of disease after chemotherapy. To address this issue, a combined therapeutic strategy was developed by building the nanostructured dihydroartemisinin plus epirubicin liposomes. Investigations were performed on human breast cancer cells in vitro and xenografts in nude mice. The results indicated that dihydroartemisinin could significantly enhance the efficacy of epirubicin in killing different breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that the combined use of dihydroartemisinin with epirubicin could efficiently inhibit the activity of Bcl-2, facilitate release of Beclin 1, and further activate Bax. Besides, Bax activated apoptosis which led to the type I programmed death of breast cancer cells while Beclin 1 initiated the excessive autophagy that resulted in the type II programmed death of breast cancer cells. In addition, the nanostructured dihydroartemisinin plus epirubicin liposomes prolonged circulation of drugs, and were beneficial for simultaneously delivering drugs into breast cancer tissues. Hence, the nanostructured dihydroartemisinin plus epirubicin liposomes could provide a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of breast cancer.

Download Full-text

Involvement of microRNA-146a in trastuzumab resistance of HER2+ breast cancer cells

Annals of Oncology ◽

10.1093/annonc/mdx513.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. vii25-vii26

Author(s):

P. Cabello ◽

J. Forés ◽

E. Tormo ◽

B. Pineda ◽

A. Adam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Trastuzumab Resistance ◽

Her2 Breast Cancer

Download Full-text

Migration of breast cancer cells into reconstituted type I collagen gels assessed via a combination of frozen sectioning and azan staining

BioScience Trends ◽

10.5582/bst.2014.01090 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 212-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kyohei Fukuda ◽

Yo Kamoshida ◽

Taisuke Kurokawa ◽

Mioto Yoshida ◽

Yoko Fujita-Yamaguchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Type I Collagen ◽

Type I ◽

Collagen Gels

Download Full-text

Pyrotinib sensitizes 5‑fluorouracil‑resistant HER2-positive breast cancer cells to 5‑fluorouracil

10.21203/rs.3.rs-22743/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jianing Yi ◽

Pingyong Yi ◽

Shuai Chen ◽

Qian Li ◽

Runzhang Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Combination Treatment ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Her2 Positive ◽

Her2 Positive Breast Cancer ◽

Her2 Breast Cancer ◽

Positive Breast Cancer

Abstract BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have shown that pyrotinib+ capecitabine significantly improved efficacy of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) +breast cancer. However, whether pyrotinib sensitizes 5‑Fluorouracil(5‑FU)‑resistant breast cancer cells to 5‑FU is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pyrotinib on HER2+breast cancer cells with resistance to 5‑FU and provide new clues for the pyrotinib treatment in 5-FU-resistant breast cancer.METHODS: the 5‑FU‑resistant breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3/FU and MAD-MB-453/FU were established by continuous exposure of the parental cells to 5‑FU.The effects of pyrotinib on these cell lines were examined by growth inhibitory activity assay, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography and animal experiments.RESULTS: Pyrotinib inhibited the proliferation of 5-FU-resistant and parental HER2-positive breast cancer cells and re-sensitized resistant cells to 5-FU by decreasing the expression of thymidylate synthase(TS) and ABC transporter subfamily G member 2(ABCG2). In a xenograft model, combination treatment with 5-FU and pyrotinib showed greater antitumor activity than either agent alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our results offer a preclinical rationale for clinical investigations of combination treatment with pyrotinib and 5-FU for 5-FU-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.

Download Full-text

ΕGFR/ERβ-Mediated Cell Morphology and Invasion Capacity Are Associated with Matrix Culture Substrates in Breast Cancer

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9102256 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 2256

Author(s):

Konstantina Kyriakopoulou ◽

Eirini Riti ◽

Zoi Piperigkou ◽

Konstantina Koutroumanou Sarri ◽

Heba Bassiony ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Morphology ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Type I Collagen ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Type I ◽

Egfr Inhibition ◽

The Impact

Breast cancer accounts for almost one in four cancer diagnoses in women. Studies in breast cancer patients have identified several molecular markers, indicators of aggressiveness, which help toward more individual therapeutic approaches. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is associated with increased metastatic potential and worst survival rates. Specifically, abnormal EGFR activation leads to altered matrix metalloproteinases’ (MMPs) expression and, hence, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, resulting in induced migration and invasion. The use of matrix substrates for cell culture gives the opportunity to mimic the natural growth conditions of the cells and their microenvironment, as well as cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of EGFR inhibition, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and different matrix substrates [type I collagen and fibronectin (FN)] on the functional properties, expression of MMPs and cell morphology of ERβ-positive TNBC cells and shERβ ones. Our results highlight EGFR as a crucial regulator of the expression and activity levels of MMPs, while ERβ emerges as a mediator of MMP7 and MT1-MMP expression. In addition, the EGFR/ERβ axis impacts the adhesion and invasion potential of breast cancer cells on collagen type I. Images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) from cultures on the different matrix substrates revealed novel observations regarding various structures of breast cancer cells (filopodia, extravesicles, tunneling nanotubes, etc.). Moreover, the significant contribution of EGFR and ERβ in the morphological characteristics of these cells is also demonstrated, hence highlighting the possibility of dual pharmacological targeting.

Download Full-text