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Bharadwaj AG, McLean ME, Dahn ML, Cahill HF, Wasson MD, Arun RP, Walker OL, Cruickshank BM, Fernando W, Venkatesh J, Barnes PJ, Bethune G, Knapp G, Helyer LK, Giacomantonio CA, Waisman DM, Marcato P. ALDH1A3 promotes invasion and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer by regulating the plasminogen activation pathway. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:91-112. [PMID: 37753740 PMCID: PMC10766202 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) is a cancer stem cell marker that promotes metastasis. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression has been linked to ALDH1A3-induced gene expression changes. To investigate the mechanism of ALDH1A3-mediated breast cancer metastasis, we assessed the effect of ALDH1A3 on the expression of proteases and the regulators of proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix, a process that is essential for invasion and metastasis. This revealed that ALDH1A3 regulates the plasminogen activation pathway; it increased the levels and activity of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). This resulted in a corresponding increase in the activity of serine protease plasmin, the enzymatic product of tPA and uPA. The ALDH1A3 product all-trans-retinoic acid similarly increased tPA and plasmin activity. The increased invasion of TNBC cells by ALDH1A3 was plasminogen-dependent. In patient tumours, ALDH1A3 and tPA are co-expressed and their combined expression correlated with the TNBC subtype, high tumour grade and recurrent metastatic disease. Knockdown of tPA in TNBC cells inhibited plasmin generation and lymph node metastasis. These results identify the ALDH1A3-tPA-plasmin axis as a key contributor to breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gregory Knapp
- Department of SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | | | - Carman A. Giacomantonio
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of SurgeryDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | - David M. Waisman
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
- Nova Scotia Health AuthorityHalifaxCanada
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Liwski CR, Castonguay M, Barnes P, Bethune G, Rayson D. HER2 testing in metastatic breast cancer – is reflex in situ hybridization necessary in cases that are equivocal by immunohistochemistry? Am J Clin Pathol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab191.053] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction/Objective
Current guidelines recommend HER2 testing on all primary invasive breast cancers and at least one metastatic lesion. Typical HER2 testing involves immunohistochemistry (IHC), with reflex in situ hybridization (ISH) in the event of equivocal (2+) IHC. ISH testing is time consuming and resource intensive, and there may be situations where it is unnecessary. The incidence of discordance between HER2 negative primary tumors and HER2 IHC2+ metastases that are ISH positive is unknown. We hypothesize that the majority of such cases are non- amplified.
Methods/Case Report
A retrospective review of IHC2+ metastatic lesions further assessed with ISH at our center from 2013-2021 was undertaken. A total of 105 cases were identified after exclusion of cases missing HER2 results, with primaries of unconfirmed origin, and cases of synchronous primary and metastatic disease. IHC and ISH results were recorded, with a detailed slide review of discordant cases.
Results (if a Case Study enter NA)
91/105 metastases had HER2 negative primaries (87%). A metastasis was significantly more likely to be HER2 negative when the primary was HER2 negative (93%) versus positive (43%) (p < 0.0001). 54/91 primaries were IHC2+/ISH negative, and 50/54 (93%) corresponding metastases had identical results. Of the 37 HER2 negative primaries that were IHC0/1+, 35 (95%) corresponding metastatic tumors were ISH negative. Six metastatic lesions in cases with HER2 negative primaries were discordant and slides were reviewed. Characteristics of metastatic tumors suggesting ISH testing was warranted to assess for discordance included IHC heterogeneity, morphological discordance, and increased staining of moderate intensity. These factors were present in all six discordant metastases.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that selective rather than reflex ISH testing on HER2 IHC2+ breast cancer metastases in the context of HER2 negative primary disease may be appropriate when there is careful review of the IHC. Validation of our findings await further studies with larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Liwski
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
| | - M Castonguay
- Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
| | - P Barnes
- Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
| | - G Bethune
- Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
| | - D Rayson
- Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
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Surette A, Yoo BH, Younis T, Matheson K, Rameh T, Snowdon J, Bethune G, Rosen KV. Tumor levels of the mediators of ErbB2-driven anoikis resistance correlate with breast cancer relapse in patients receiving trastuzumab-based therapies. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2021; 187:743-758. [PMID: 33728523 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-021-06164-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with ErbB2/Her2 oncoprotein-positive breast cancers often receive neoadjuvant therapies (NATs) containing the anti-ErbB2 antibody trastuzumab. Tumors that are still present after NATs are resected, and patients continue receiving trastuzumab. These cancers are associated with high relapse risk. Whether relapse will occur cannot be presently reliably predicted. The ability to make such predictions could improve disease management. We found previously that ErbB2 blocks breast tumor cell anoikis, apoptosis induced by cell detachment from the extracellular matrix, by downregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Irf6 and upregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in the cells and, thus, promotes their three-dimensional growth. We now tested whether tumor levels of these proteins before and after NATs correlate with patients' relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS We selected archival breast tumor samples collected from 37 women with ErbB2-positive stages II and III breast cancer before and after NATs. We used immunohistochemistry to test whether levels of the indicated proteins in respective tumors correlate with RFS and OS. RESULTS We observed that the presence of high Irf6 levels in the tumors following NATs correlated with reduced RFS and OS. Perhaps not by coincidence, we noticed that trastuzumab-sensitive ErbB2-positive breast cancer cells selected for the ability to overproduce exogenous Irf6 in culture acquired trastuzumab resistance. Finally, EGFR presence in patients' tumors before or after NATs was associated with decreased RFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS This study could help identify patients with ErbB2-positive tumors that are at increased risk of disease relapse following NATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexi Surette
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Rm 714 Mackenzie Bldg, 5788 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3H 1V8, Canada
| | - Byong Hoon Yoo
- Departments of Pediatrics & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Atlantic Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Rm C-304, CRC, 5849 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tallal Younis
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kara Matheson
- Nova Scotia Health Authority Centre for Clinical Research, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tarek Rameh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | | | - Gillian Bethune
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Rm 714 Mackenzie Bldg, 5788 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3H 1V8, Canada.
| | - Kirill V Rosen
- Departments of Pediatrics & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Atlantic Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Rm C-304, CRC, 5849 University Avenue, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Bethune G, Bethune D, Ridgway N, Xu Z. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in lung cancer: an overview and update. J Thorac Dis 2010; 2:48-51. [PMID: 22263017 PMCID: PMC3256436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 02/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor is a trans-membrane glycoprotein with an extracellular epidermal growth factor binding domain and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain that regulates signaling pathways to control cellular proliferation. Epidermal growth factor receptor binding to its ligand results in autophosphorylation by intrinsic tyrosine/kinase activity, triggering several signal transduction cascades. Constitutive or sustained activation of these sequences of downstream targets is thought to yield more aggressive tumor phenotypes. Mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor have been discovered in association with some lung cancers. Lung adenocarcinomas with mutated epidermal growth factor receptor have significant responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, although for unselected patients it does not appear to have a survival benefit. However, in a subset of patients (non-smoking Asian women with adenocarcinoma, particularly with a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma), there appears to be a significant survival advantage. Both EGFR mutation and gene amplification status may be important in determining which tumors will respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Bethune
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Drew Bethune
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Neale Ridgway
- Department of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Zhaolin Xu
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Merkx-Jacques A, Obhi RK, Bethune G, Creuzenet C. The Helicobacter pylori flaA1 and wbpB genes control lipopolysaccharide and flagellum synthesis and function. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:2253-65. [PMID: 15060026 PMCID: PMC412133 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.8.2253-2265.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
flaA1 and wbpB are conserved genes with unknown biological function in Helicobacter pylori. Since both genes are predicted to be involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, flagellum assembly, or protein glycosylation, they could play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori. To determine their biological role, both genes were disrupted in strain NCTC 11637. Both mutants exhibited altered LPS, with loss of most O-antigen and core modification, and increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate compared to wild-type bacteria. These defects could be complemented in a gene-specific manner. Also, flaA1 could complement these defects in the wbpB mutant, suggesting a potential redundancy of the reductase activity encoded by both genes. Both mutants were nonmotile, although the wbpB mutant still produced flagella. The defect in the flagellum functionality of this mutant was not due to a defect in flagellin glycosylation since flagellins from wild-type strain NCTC 11637 were shown not to be glycosylated. The flaA1 mutant produced flagellins but no flagellum. Overall, the similar phenotypes observed for both mutants and the complementation of the wbpB mutant by flaA1 suggest that both genes belong to the same biosynthesis pathway. The data also suggest that flaA1 and wbpB are at the interface between several pathways that govern the expression of different virulence factors. We propose that FlaA1 and WbpB synthesize sugar derivatives dedicated to the glycosylation of proteins which are involved in LPS and flagellum production and that glycosylation regulates the activity of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Merkx-Jacques
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Lougheed R, Hulet E, Dougan R, Wild J, Dupzyk R, Henderson C, Moody K, Hahn R, Sümmerer K, Bethune G. The discovery of 260Md and the decay properties of 258Fm, 258m,gMd and 259Md. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1986. [DOI: 10.1016/0022-5088(86)90442-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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