雄激素受体与乳腺癌内分泌耐药的研究进展

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤.其中雌激素受体(ER)阳性乳腺癌对内分泌治疗敏感,通过规范的内分泌治疗,患者复发及死亡风险显著降低.但是,内分泌耐药的出现成为临床治疗中最大的障碍.雄激素受体(AR)在ER阳性乳腺癌中广泛表达,与ER之间存在串扰,影响乳腺癌发展、内分泌耐药及预后.本文就AR在ER阳性乳腺癌中的作用机制、预...     

Overcoming endocrine resistance in breast cancer: importance of mTOR inhibition

Approaches to treatment for many patients with advanced breast cancer are based on the expression of specific receptors. Treatments targeting the hormone receptor (typically the estrogen receptor) are used to reduce signaling through these receptors and thereby inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells expressing these receptors. Although these treatments are effective for many patients, resistance to treatment is common. Recent clinical trials suggest that using multiple agents targeting the same pathway is not sufficient to overcome resistance. New treatment approaches are needed for these patients. Inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway, a key point of confluence for multiple signaling cascades, offers a promising approach to restoring sensitivity to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. This article reviews the current data from studies of mTOR inhibitors everolimus and temsirolimus in combination with endocrine therapies to overcome treatment resistance in patients with advanced breast cancer.     

erbB3 recruitment of insulin receptor substrate 1 modulates insulin-like growth factor receptor signalling in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines

Introduction  

Recently we reported that insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), classically an adaptor protein for the insulin-like growth factor type I receptor (IGF-IR), associates with the epidermal growth factor receptor in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive (ER+) tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. In this study, we examined whether IRS-1 also associates with another erbB receptor family member, erbB3, and what impact this might have on IGF-IR signalling in three ER+ breast cancer cell lines.     

Rational management of endocrine resistance in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of estrogen receptor biology, treatment options, and future directions

Endocrine therapy for breast cancer was introduced more than 100 years ago. In the last 30 years, it has been demonstrated that tamoxifen significantly improves outcomes for patients with hormone-responsive breast tumors. Aromatase inhibitors, which suppress the production of estrogen, are recognized today as an effective alternative for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, despite an initial response to treatment, many tumors eventually recur or progress. When selecting subsequent endocrine therapy, it is helpful to understand the mechanisms of hormone resistance, consider the goals of treatment, and evaluate the clinical potential of each available drug. The objective of this article was to review the underlying mechanisms of action and resistance for each type of hormone therapy, evaluate the most recent data regarding the use of endocrine agents after disease progression or recurrence, and explore potential combinations of hormone therapies with novel molecules that target key growth factor signaling pathways.     

乳腺癌内分泌治疗耐药机制的研究进展

内分泌治疗是雌激素受体阳性乳腺癌的重要系统治疗手段,但原发性与继发性耐药是当前内分泌治疗面临的难题。耐药机制主要包括:ER表达缺失或表观遗传修饰;共调因子表达失衡;雌激素受体通路与生长因子受体（growth factor receptor,GFR）通路的交叉效应;特异性miRNA表达改变;乳腺癌上皮间质转化（EMT）等。根据PubMed检索获取相关资料,就近年来雌激素受体阳性乳腺癌内分泌耐药机制及治疗策略研究进展进行综述。     

乳腺癌内分泌治疗耐药相关信号通路的研究进展

内分泌治疗在乳腺癌综合治疗中占有重要的地位,但原发性与继发性耐药是当前内分泌治疗面临的难题.研究证明,雌激素受体通路与各种因子信号通路的交叉效应是导致乳腺癌内分泌耐药的主要机制之一,针对各种通路的靶向治疗药物也成为了热点.许多临床试验结果表明靶向阻断这些信号通路的药物联合内分泌治疗药物可显著提高患者的生存率.本文根据PubMed检索获取相关资料,就近年来与乳腺癌内分泌耐药相关的信号通路及治疗策略研究进展进行综述.     

乳腺癌内分泌治疗耐药相关机制的研究进展

内分泌治疗作为雌激素受体（estrogen receptor,ER）阳性乳腺癌的主要治疗方案被广泛应用。他莫西芬（tamoxifen,Tam）是乳腺癌内分泌治疗最常用的药物,它通过与雌激素竞争性结合ERα来降低雌激素的生物学活性,抑制细胞的增殖,从而治疗乳腺癌。然而,肿瘤细胞所表现出的原发性或获得性的他莫西芬耐药使得其临床应用受到了限制,寻找克服他莫西芬耐药的治疗策略已经刻不容缓。目前为止,他莫西芬耐药的相关机制已部分明确,但仍需进一步研究。有证据表明ERα、生长因子受体信号通路及microRNA的表达异常等多种机制均与他莫西芬耐药有关。本文对他莫西芬耐药的相关机制进行了具体分析,以期为ER阳性乳腺癌的治疗提供新思路。     

SERPINA1 is a direct estrogen receptor target gene and a predictor of survival in breast cancer patients

Of all breast cancer patients, about 70% are ER+ and 10% are ER+/HER2+. The ER+/HER2+ patients have a worse outcome compared to ER+/HER2- patients. Currently there is a lack of effective prognosis biomarkers for the prediction of outcome in ER+/HER2+ patients. Genome-wide differences in ER binding between the endocrine-responsive and endocrine-resistant cells were discovered using ChIP-seq, and combined with gene expression microarray data to identify direct ER target genes. These genes were correlated to survival outcome using publicly available breast cancer patient cohorts. We found the expression of the gene SERPINA1 to have a significant predictive value for the overall survival (OS) of ER+ patients in the TCGA cohort, and validated this finding in the Curtis cohort. SERPINA1 also has a significant predictive value for the OS of ER+/HER2+ patients in the TCGA cohort, with validation in the Bild cohort. The expression of SERPINA1 can be suppressed by fulvestrant and HER2 siRNA. Our results indicate that ER is constitutively activated, resulting in an E2-independent ER binding to the SERPINA1 gene and upregulation of SERPINA1 expression. Importantly, results of survival correlation suggests that high expression of SERPINA1 could be predictive for a better clinical outcome of ER+ and ER+/HER2+ patients.     

Biological effects of fulvestrant on estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer: short,medium and long‐term effects based on sequential biopsies

We report the first study of the biological effect of fulvestrant on ER positive clinical breast cancer using sequential biopsies through to progression. Thirty‐two locally/systemically advanced breast cancers treated with first‐line fulvestrant (250 mg/month) were biopsied at therapy initiation, 6 weeks, 6 months and progression and immunohistochemically‐analyzed for Ki67, ER, EGFR and HER2 expression/signaling activity. This series showed good fulvestrant responses (duration of response [DoR] = 25.8 months; clinical benefit = 81%). Ki67 fell (p < 0.001) in 79% of tumours by 6 months and lower Ki67 at all preprogression time‐points predicted for longer DoR. ER and PR significantly decreased in all tumours by 6 months (p < 0.001), with some declines in ER (serine 118) phosphorylation and Bcl‐2 (p = 0.007). There were modest HER2 increases (p = 0.034, 29% tumours) and loss of any detectable EGFR phosphorylation (p = 0.024, 50% tumours) and MAP kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation (p = 0.019, 65% tumours) by 6 months. While ER remained low, there was some recovery of Ki67, Bcl‐2 and (weakly) EGFR/MAPK activity in 45–67% patients at progression. Fulvestrant's anti‐proliferative impact is related to DoR, but while commonly downregulating ER and indicators of its signaling and depleting EGFR/MAPK signaling in some patients, additional elements must determine response duration. Residual ER at fulvestrant relapse explains reported sensitivity to further endocrine therapies. Occasional modest treatment‐induced HER2 and weakly detectable EGFR/HER2/MAPK signaling at relapse suggests targeting of such activity might have value alongside fulvestrant in some patients. However, unknown pathways must drive relapse in most. Ki67 has biomarker potential to predict fulvestrant outcome and as a quantitative measure of response.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in breast cancer association with biologic phenotype and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND:

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is associated with aggressive phenotypes in preclinical breast cancer models, but in clinical studies, EGFR has been inconsistently linked to poor outcome. We hypothesized that EGFR expression in human breast tumors, when centrally and uniformly assessed, is associated with an aggressive phenotype and resistance to systemic therapy.

METHODS:

In a database of 47,286 patients with breast cancer, EGFR status was known on 2567 tumors. EGFR levels were measured centrally by ligand binding assay, and tumors with ≥10 fmol/mg were prospectively deemed positive. Clinical and biological features of EGFR‐positive and EGFR‐negative tumors were compared. Clinical outcomes were assessed by systemic therapy status.

RESULTS:

Of 2567 tumors, 475 (18%) were EGFR positive. EGFR‐positive tumors were more common in younger and in black women, were larger, had a higher S‐phase fraction, and were more likely to be aneuploid. EGFR‐positive tumors were more likely to be HER2‐positive (26% vs 16%, P < .0001), but less likely to be estrogen receptor‐positive (60% vs 88%, P < .0001) or progesterone receptor‐positive (26% vs 65%, P < .0001). In multivariate analyses, EGFR expression independently correlated with worse disease‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4‐2.41, P = .007) and overall survival (HR = 1.98, 95% CI, 1.36‐2.88, P = .0004) in treated patients, but not in untreated patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

EGFR expression is more common in breast tumors in younger and black women. It is associated with lower hormone receptor levels, higher proliferation, genomic instability, and HER2 overexpression. It is correlated with higher risk of relapse in patients receiving adjuvant treatment. Blocking EGFR may improve outcome in selected patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Targeting tyrosine-kinases and estrogen receptor abrogates resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer

Despite numerous therapies that effectively inhibit estrogen signaling in breast cancer, a significant proportion of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive malignancy will succumb to their disease. Herein we demonstrate that long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) therapy among ER-positive breast cancer cells results in the adaptive increase in ER expression and subsequent activation of multiple tyrosine kinases. Combination therapy with the ER down-regulator fulvestrant and dasatinib, a broad kinase inhibitor, exhibits synergistic activity against LTED cells, by reduction of cell proliferation, cell survival, cell invasion and mammary acinar formation. Screening kinase phosphorylation using protein arrays and functional proteomic analysis demonstrates that the combination of fulvestrant and dasatinib inhibits multiple tyrosine kinases and cancer-related pathways that are constitutively activated in LTED cells. Because LTED cells display increased insulin receptor (InsR)/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling, we added an ant-IGF-1 antibody to the combination with fulvestrant and dasatinib in an effort to further increase the inhibition. However, adding MK0646 only modestly increased the inhibition of cell growth in monolayer culture, but neither suppressed acinar formation nor inhibited cell migration in vitro and invasion in vivo. Therefore, combinations of fulvestrant and dasatinib, but not MK0646, may benefit patients with tyrosine-kinase-activated, endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer.     

Expression patterns and predictive value of phosphorylated AKT in early-stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: AKT phosphorylation is a critical step in the activation of growth factor receptors and can mediate tumor resistance to anthracyclines. We evaluated the expression patterns and predictive value of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) in breast cancer tissues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: pAKT expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 823 tumors from patients with early breast cancer enrolled in two randomized trials. The distribution of pAKT expression was correlated with HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. The predictive value of pAKT for the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was determined by test for interaction. RESULTS: pAKT, EGFR, and HER2 were expressed in 119 of 781 (15%), 118 of 758 (16%), and 99 of 775 (13%) assessable tumors. Staining was positive for pAKT in 28 of 99 (28%) and 90 of 676 (13%) HER2+ and HER2- tumors (P < 0.001). pAKT was expressed in 15 of 94 (16%) and 75 of 563 (13%) HER2-/EGFR+ and HER2-/EGFR- tumors, respectively (P = 0.49). A positive staining for pAKT did not correlate with prognosis (P = 0.94), and did not predict the resistance to anthracyclines (test for interaction, P = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: AKT phosphorylation is associated with HER2 expression but not EGFR expression in patients with early breast cancer. pAKT is not predictive for the efficacy of anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy.     

Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Approximately 70−75% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor (ER), indicating a level of dependence on estrogen for growth. Endocrine therapy is an important class of target-directed therapy that blocks the growth-promoting effects of estrogen via ER. Although endocrine therapy continues to be the cornerstone of effective treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, many patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer encounter de novo or acquired resistance and require more aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy. Novel approaches are needed to augment the benefit of existing endocrine therapies by prolonging time to disease progression, preventing or overcoming resistance, and delaying the use of chemotherapy.     

乳腺癌内分泌耐药机制及治疗对策的研究进展

内分泌治疗在激素受体阳性乳腺癌患者的治疗中占重要地位,但耐药的产生为内分泌治疗增加了难度。近年来,内分泌耐药发生的机制是研究的热点问题,已有研究证实内分泌耐药的发生与生长因子受体、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶 B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白信号通路、细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶及组蛋白去乙酰化酶有关。目前,针对耐药相关信号通路中的各个分子靶点已经研发了众多的靶向药物。本文将针对内分泌耐药的不同机制以及逆转耐药的治疗进行综述。     

PI3K/AKT信号通路相关蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的：研究PI3K/AKT信号转导通路中PTEN、PI3K、AKT蛋白在乳腺癌中的表达及其与疾病发生发展、预后的关系。方法用免疫组化SP法检测45例乳腺癌患者病理组织（观察组）和其中15例患者癌旁正常组织（对照组）中PTEN、PI3K、AKT表达情况,采用单因素回归分析对PTEN、PI3K、AKT蛋白在乳腺癌组织中阳性表达的相关因素进行分析。结果 PI3K、AKT在乳腺癌中的表达率分别为73.3%、75.5%,高于癌旁正常乳腺组织的33.3%、40%,差异具有统计学意义（P﹤0.05）;PTEN在乳腺癌中表达率为22.2%,低于癌旁正常乳腺组织的53.3%,但差异无统计学意义（P﹥0.05）;单因素回归分析结果显示,患者发病年龄对PTEN、PI3K、AKT在乳腺癌组织中阳性表达无关（P﹥0.05）;组织学分级、临床分期、存在淋巴结转移是PTEN、PI3K、AKT在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达的相关因素（P﹤0.05）。结论 PI3K/AKT信号通路可能参与了乳腺癌的发生与发展,PTEN蛋白表达缺失导致AKT、PI3K蛋白的过度表达,PI3K、PTEN、AKT蛋白表达的检测可能有助于预测乳腺癌的预后。     

Altered radiation responses of breast cancer cells resistant to hormonal therapy

Endocrine therapy agents (the selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators such as tamoxifen or the selective ER down-regulators such as ICI 182,780) are key treatment regimens for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. While these drugs are very effective in controlling ER-positive breast cancer, many tumors that initially respond well to treatment often acquire drug resistance, which is a major clinical problem. In clinical practice, hormonal therapy agents are commonly used in combination or sequence with radiation therapy. Tamoxifen treatment and radiotherapy improve both local tumor control and patient survival. However, tamoxifen treatment may render cancer cells less responsive to radiation therapy.Only a handful of data exist on the effects of radiation on cells resistant to hormonal therapy agents. These scarce data show that cells that were resistant to tamoxifen were also resistant to radiation. Yet, the existence and mechanisms of cross-resistance to endocrine therapy and radiation therapy need to be established.Here, we for the first time examined and compared radiation responses of MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7/S0.5) and two antiestrogen resistant cell lines derived from MCF-7/S0.5: the tamoxifen resistant MCF-7/TAM^R-1 and ICI 182,780 resistant MCF-7/182^R-6 cell lines. Specifically, we analyzed the radiation-induced changes in the expression of genes involved in DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation. We found that the tamoxifen-resistant cell line in contrast to the parental and ICI 182,780-resistant cell lines displayed a significantly less radiation-induced decrease in the expression of genes involved in DNA repair. Furthermore, we show that MCF-7/TAM^R-1 and MCF-7/182^R-6 cells were less susceptible to radiation-induced apoptosis as compared to the parental line. These data indicate that tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells have a reduced sensitivity to radiation treatment. The current study may therefore serve as a roadmap to the future analysis of the mechanisms of cross-resistance between hormonal therapy and radiation.     

Antiestrogen resistance in ER positive breast cancer cells

Summary Acquisition of the antiestrogen resistance by breast cancer cellsin vivo may result from a variety of mechanisms. The main pathway appears to involve loss of estrogen receptor (ER) expression or selection for ER negative cells among heterogenous population of tumor cells. However, clinical data suggest that, in about 30% of the cases, antiestrogen resistance arises even in the presence of estrogen receptors. Postulated mechanisms leading to the latter phenotype include selection for variant receptor forms during treatment, development of novel metabolic pathways for the drug, loss of nuclear co-factors, or activation of signal transduction pathway that cross activate ER signals. We have used anin vitro experimental system utilizing LY-2 cell line, an ER positive and antiestrogen resistant MCF-7 cell variant, to study the mechanism of antiestrogen resistance in the presence of functional ER. Result from a complementation experiment suggests that LY-2 phenotype is a recessive trait. Cloning of the genetic defect in the LY-2 cells would provide further insight for the mechanism of antiestrogen resistance in ER positive breast cancer cells.