1
|
Ferreira RB, Wang M, Law ME, Davis BJ, Bartley AN, Higgins PJ, Kilberg MS, Santostefano KE, Terada N, Heldermon CD, Castellano RK, Law BK. Disulfide bond disrupting agents activate the unfolded protein response in EGFR- and HER2-positive breast tumor cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:28971-28989. [PMID: 28423644 PMCID: PMC5438706 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many breast cancer deaths result from tumors acquiring resistance to available therapies. Thus, new therapeutic agents are needed for targeting drug-resistant breast cancers. Drug-refractory breast cancers include HER2+ tumors that have acquired resistance to HER2-targeted antibodies and kinase inhibitors, and “Triple-Negative” Breast Cancers (TNBCs) that lack the therapeutic targets Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and HER2. A significant fraction of TNBCs overexpress the HER2 family member Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). Thus agents that selectively kill EGFR+ and HER2+ tumors would provide new options for breast cancer therapy. We previously identified a class of compounds we termed Disulfide bond Disrupting Agents (DDAs) that selectively kill EGFR+ and HER2+ breast cancer cells in vitro and blocked the growth of HER2+ breast tumors in an animal model. DDA-dependent cytotoxicity was found to correlate with downregulation of HER1-3 and Akt dephosphorylation. Here we demonstrate that DDAs activate the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and that this plays a role in their ability to kill EGFR+ and HER2+ cancer cells. The use of breast cancer cell lines ectopically expressing EGFR or HER2 and pharmacological probes of UPR revealed all three DDA responses: HER1-3 downregulation, Akt dephosphorylation, and UPR activation, contribute to DDA-mediated cytotoxicity. Significantly, EGFR overexpression potentiates each of these responses. Combination studies with DDAs suggest that they may be complementary with EGFR/HER2-specific receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and mTORC1 inhibitors to overcome drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renan B Ferreira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Mengxiong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,UF-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mary E Law
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,UF-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Bradley J Davis
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,UF-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashton N Bartley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Paul J Higgins
- Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Michael S Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Katherine E Santostefano
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Reprogramming, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Naohiro Terada
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Reprogramming, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Coy D Heldermon
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | | | - Brian K Law
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,UF-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Amplification of the her-2/neu gene is associated with poor prognosis in patients with early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2 protein, which is overexpressed in approximately 25% of patients with primary invasive breast cancer. Randomized phase III clinical trials showed that administration of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy or following chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free and overall survival rates in patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The integration of trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting is changing the natural history of HER2-driven breast cancer from one of the worst subtypes to one that is highly curable with available therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Johnson
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1354, Houston, TX 77230-1439, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pegram MD, Pienkowski T, Northfelt DW, Eiermann W, Patel R, Fumoleau P, Quan E, Crown J, Toppmeyer D, Smylie M, Riva A, Blitz S, Press MF, Reese D, Lindsay MA, Slamon DJ. Results of Two Open-Label, Multicenter Phase II Studies of Docetaxel, Platinum Salts, and Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004; 96:759-69. [PMID: 15150304 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djh133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical data indicate that docetaxel, platinum salts, and the combination of both drugs are highly synergistic with the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab. The University of California at Los Angeles-Oncology Research Network (UCLA-ORN) and the Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG) have conducted two phase II studies to evaluate docetaxel and trastuzumab in combination with either cisplatin or carboplatin for the treatment of women with advanced breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. METHODS Each study enrolled 62 patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors. Patients received a median of six cycles of docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 of body surface area and cisplatin (BCIRG 101 study) at 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin (UCLA-ORN study) at AUC = 6 mg/mL. min given on day 1 and then every 21 days. Trastuzumab was given on day 1, cycle 1 (4 mg/kg) and then continued weekly at 2 mg/kg for 1 year or until disease progression. Tumor measurements were obtained at baseline, after three cycles of chemotherapy, and then every 3 months. HER2 gene amplification was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS Patient characteristics were comparable between trials with the exception that 15% of the patients in the UCLA-ORN study had received previous adjuvant taxane therapy. Both regimens were well tolerated, with manageable toxicities. Hematologic toxicities were more frequent in patients in the UCLA-ORN study than in patients in the BCIRG 101 study, whereas the reverse pattern was observed for non-hematologic toxicities. One patient in each study developed reversible congestive heart failure. Responses were observed in 49 of 62 patients in the BCIRG 101 study (overall response rate = 79%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 66% to 89%) and in 34 of 59 evaluable patients in the UCLA-ORN study (overall response rate = 58%, 95% CI = 44% to 70%). Median times to progression were 9.9 months (95% CI = 8.3 to 13.1 months) and 12.7 months (95% CI = 8.6 to 15.5 months) for patients in the BCIRG 101 and UCLA-ORN studies, respectively. Overall response rates were higher and median time to progression was longer in the subset of patients whose tumors harbored HER2 gene amplification. CONCLUSION Combinations of docetaxel, a platinum salt, and trastuzumab are feasible and active in patients with advanced breast cancers that overexpress HER2. The BCIRG is conducting ongoing randomized studies of the three-drug combination in both the metastatic and adjuvant settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Pegram
- Oncology Research Network, David Geffen School of Medicine, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-7077, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|