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Gupta GK, Collier AL, Lee D, Hoefer RA, Zheleva V, Siewertsz van Reesema LL, Tang-Tan AM, Guye ML, Chang DZ, Winston JS, Samli B, Jansen RJ, Petricoin EF, Goetz MP, Bear HD, Tang AH. Perspectives on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Current Treatment Strategies, Unmet Needs, and Potential Targets for Future Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2392. [PMID: 32846967 PMCID: PMC7565566 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by the absence or low expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. TNBC accounts for about 15% of breast cancer cases in the U.S., and is known for high relapse rates and poor overall survival (OS). Chemo-resistant TNBC is a genetically diverse, highly heterogeneous, and rapidly evolving disease that challenges our ability to individualize treatment for incomplete responders and relapsed patients. Currently, the frontline standard chemotherapy, composed of anthracyclines, alkylating agents, and taxanes, is commonly used to treat high-risk and locally advanced TNBC. Several FDA-approved drugs that target programmed cell death protein-1 (Keytruda) and programmed death ligand-1 (Tecentriq), poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and/or antibody drug conjugates (Trodelvy) have shown promise in improving clinical outcomes for a subset of TNBC. These inhibitors that target key genetic mutations and specific molecular signaling pathways that drive malignant tumor growth have been used as single agents and/or in combination with standard chemotherapy regimens. Here, we review the current TNBC treatment options, unmet clinical needs, and actionable drug targets, including epidermal growth factor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and protein kinase B (PKB or AKT) activation in TNBC. Supported by strong evidence in developmental, evolutionary, and cancer biology, we propose that the K-RAS/SIAH pathway activation is a major tumor driver, and SIAH is a new drug target, a therapy-responsive prognostic biomarker, and a major tumor vulnerability in TNBC. Since persistent K-RAS/SIAH/EGFR pathway activation endows TNBC tumor cells with chemo-resistance, aggressive dissemination, and early relapse, we hope to design an anti-SIAH-centered anti-K-RAS/EGFR targeted therapy as a novel therapeutic strategy to control and eradicate incurable TNBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan K. Gupta
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA;
| | - Amber L. Collier
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33131, USA;
| | - Dasom Lee
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
| | - Richard A. Hoefer
- Dorothy G. Hoefer Foundation, Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Newport News, VA 23666, USA;
- Sentara Cancer Network, Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
| | - Vasilena Zheleva
- Surgical Oncology, Cancer Treatment Centers of America—Comprehensive Care and Research Center Phoenix, 14200 W Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA;
| | | | - Angela M. Tang-Tan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Mary L. Guye
- Sentara Cancer Network, Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA;
- Sentara Surgery Specialists, Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Newport News, VA 23666, USA
| | - David Z. Chang
- Virginia Oncology Associates, 1051 Loftis Boulevard, Suite 100, Newport News, VA 23606, USA;
| | - Janet S. Winston
- Breast Pathology Services, Pathology Sciences Medical Group, Department of Pathology, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (SNGH), Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (J.S.W.); (B.S.)
| | - Billur Samli
- Breast Pathology Services, Pathology Sciences Medical Group, Department of Pathology, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (SNGH), Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (J.S.W.); (B.S.)
| | - Rick J. Jansen
- Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA;
| | - Emanuel F. Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA;
| | - Matthew P. Goetz
- Departments of Oncology and Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE), Women’s Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Harry D. Bear
- Departments of Surgery and Microbiology & Immunology, Division of Surgical Oncology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Amy H. Tang
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA;
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