Downregulation of XIAP expression induces apoptosis and enhances chemotherapeutic sensitivity in human gastric cancer cells

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is the most potent member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) gene family in terms of its ability to inhibit caspases and suppress apoptosis. Recent evidence has suggested that XIAP is a key determinant in chemoresistance of cancer cells. To explore a novel approach for ameliorating chemotherapy of gastric cancer, the antisense expression vector for the XIAP gene was constructed and transferred into gastric cancer cell lines, MKN-45 (wild-type p53) and MKN-28 (mutant-type p53). This transfer resulted in significant downregulation of XIAP expression, decreased in vitro cell viabilities, and induced apoptosis. In transferred cells, inactive caspase-3 precursors were cleaved into the active subunits (p20 and p17) during apoptosis induced by downregulation of XIAP. The inhibitory effects of cisplatin and mitomycin C on the growth of XIAP downregulated cancer cells were significantly enhanced. In addition, this process occurred only in wild-type p53 (MKN-45), but not in mutant-type p53 (MKN-28) gastric cancer cells. The data presented suggest that downregulation of XIAP via antisense RNA can lead to apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in vitro, correlating with cellular p53 status and activation of caspase-3. This finding could lead to a potential strategy for improving the efficiency of therapies for gastric cancer.     

衣霉素通过上调TRAIL-R2增加胃癌细胞对TRAIL的敏感性

目的:研究衣霉素(tunicamycin,TM)上调胃癌细胞对肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL)诱导凋亡敏感性的作用机制。方法:采用碘化丙啶染色的FCM法检测TM(1μmol/L)与TRAIL(100μg/L)单独或联合作用3、6、16、24和36h时对SGC-7901细胞凋亡率的影响;FCM法检测TM处理前后细胞表面TRAIL受体1(TRAIL receptor1,TRAIL-R1)、-R2、-R3和-R4的表达情况;实时荧光定量-PCR法检测TRAIL-R2mRNA的表达情况;蛋白质印迹法检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78(glucose-regulated protein 78kDa,GRP78)和CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白(CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein,CHOP)的表达水平;RT-PCR检测X盒结合蛋白(X-box binding protein1,XBP1)mRNA的剪接情况。结果:TM单独作用引起的SGC-7901细胞的凋亡率低,TM和TRAIL联合作用能有效提高SGC-7901细胞的凋亡率;TM能明显上调SGC-7901细胞表面TRAIL-R2的表达水平,而对TRAIL-R1、-R3和-R4却无明显影响;TRAIL-R2mRNA的表达水平随TM作用时间延长而相应升高;GRP78蛋白的上调和XBP-1mRNA的剪接活化证实了TM可诱导未折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response,UPR)的发生;CHOP蛋白的表达水平也在TM作用后上调。结论:TM通过诱导UPR上调TRAIL-R2的表达,从而增加胃癌细胞对TRAIL的敏感性,CHOP介导了TRAIL-R2的上调作用。     

Specific down-regulation of XIAP with RNA interference enhances the sensitivity of canine tumor cell-lines to TRAIL and doxorubicin

Background  

Apoptosis resistance occurs in various tumors. The anti-apoptotic XIAP protein is responsible for inhibiting apoptosis by reducing caspase-3 activation. Our aim is to evaluate whether RNA inhibition against XIAP increases the sensitivity of canine cell-lines for chemotherapeutics such as TRAIL and doxorubicin. We used small interfering RNA's (siRNA) directed against XIAP in three cell-lines derived from bile-duct epithelia (BDE), mammary carcinoma (P114), and osteosarcoma (D17). These cell-lines represent frequently occurring canine cancers and are highly comparable to their human counterparts. XIAP down-regulation was measured by means of quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) and Western blotting. The XIAP depleted cells were treated with a serial dilution of TRAIL or doxorubicin and compared to mock- and nonsense-treated controls. Viability was measured with a MTT assay.     

TRAIL induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells with a mesenchymal phenotype

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in some but not all breast cancer cell lines. Breast cancers can be divided into those which express the estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors, those with HER-2 amplification, and those without expression of ER, PR, or HER-2 amplification (referred to as basal or triple-negative breast cancer). We tested a panel of 20 breast cancer cell lines representing the different types of breast cancer to evaluate if the molecular phenotype of the breast cancer cells determined their response to TRAIL. The most striking finding was that eight of eleven triple-negative cell lines are sensitive to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The eight TRAIL-sensitive triple-negative cell lines have a mesenchymal phenotype while the three TRAIL-resistant triple-negative cell lines have an epithelial phenotype. Two of five cell lines with HER-2 amplification were sensitive to TRAIL and none of the five ER positive cell lines were sensitive. RNAi-mediated knockdown of TRAIL receptor expression demonstrated that TRAIL Receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) mediates the effects of TRAIL, even when both TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 are expressed. Finally, inhibition of EGFR, expressed in both TRAIL-sensitive and TRAIL-resistant triple-negative breast cancer cell lines, using a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (AG1478), enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive cell lines but did not convert resistant cells into TRAIL-sensitive cells. Together, these findings suggest that a subset of triple-negative breast cancer, those with mesenchymal features, may be the most likely to benefit from TRAIL targeted therapy. These findings could form the basis to select breast cancer patients for clinical trials of TRAIL-R2 ligands. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. S. R. Davis and J. G. Pumphrey contributed equally to this work.     

Combined inhibition of FLIP and XIAP induces Bax-independent apoptosis in type II colorectal cancer cells

Death receptors can directly (type I cells) or indirectly induce apoptosis by activating mitochondrial-regulated apoptosis (type II cells). The level of caspase 8 activation is thought to determine whether a cell is type I or II, with type II cells less efficient at activating this caspase following death receptor activation. FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP) blocks death receptor-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting caspase 8 activation; therefore, we assessed whether silencing FLIP could convert type II cells into type I. FLIP silencing-induced caspase 8 activation in Bax wild-type and null HCT116 colorectal cancer cells; however, complete caspase 3 processing and apoptosis were only observed in Bax wild-type cells. Bax-null cells were also more resistant to chemotherapy and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand and, unlike the Bax wild-type cells, were not sensitized to these agents by FLIP silencing. Further analyses indicated that release of second mitochondrial activator of caspases from mitochondria and subsequent inhibition of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) was required to induce full caspase 3 processing and apoptosis following FLIP silencing. These results indicate that silencing FLIP does not necessarily bypass the requirement for mitochondrial involvement in type II cells. Furthermore, targeting FLIP and XIAP may represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal tumors with defects in mitochondrial-regulated apoptosis.     

Downregulation of XIAP expression in ovarian cancer cells induces cell death in vitro and in vivo

A hallmark of cancer cells is an ability to evade apoptosis. Overexpression and/or activating mutations of prosurvival molecules such as the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) contribute to this inappropriate cell survival. Our objectives were to investigate the effects of downregulation of XIAP in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo using the clinical candidate antisense oligonucleotide against XIAP, AEG35156 (AS XIAP). Three ovarian cancer cell lines were transfected with AS XIAP in vitro, and the effects on cell survival were assessed. Downregulation of XIAP resulted in significant apoptosis. To investigate the in vivo efficacy of AS XIAP, CD-1 nude mice were xenografted intraperitoneally with A2780-cp cells, treated with intraperitoneal AS XIAP and evaluated for survival time and tumor histology. Mice treated with 10 mg/kg/day AS XIAP showed a significant improvement in survival time compared to animals treated with control oligonucleotides. Histological analysis of the tumors showed significantly fewer viable cells in the AS XIAP-treated tumors. Downregulation of XIAP expression in ovarian cancer cells resulted in apoptosis in vitro and a prolonged survival time of ovarian cancer-bearing mice, which indicate that XIAP may be a valuable therapeutic target in ovarian cancers, and supports the ongoing clinical investigation of AEG35156.     

The dietary flavonol fisetin enhances the apoptosis-inducing potential of TRAIL in prostate cancer cells

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an endogenous agent that induces apoptosis selectively in cancer cells. Soluble or expressed in immune cells, TRAIL plays an important role in the defense against tumour cells. The resistance of cancer cells to TRAIL immune surveillance is implicated in tumour development. Naturally occurring flavonoids can sensitize TRAIL-resistant cancer cells and augment their apoptotic activity. Fisetin, a dietary flavonol has cancer preventive properties. This study was designed to investigate the effect of fisetin on the TRAIL-induced apoptosis potential in prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cell lines represent an ideal model for research in chemoprevention. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and LDH assays. Apoptosis was detected using Αnnexin?V-FITC by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Mito-chondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence microscopy. Death receptor (TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2) expression was analysed by flow cytometry. Inhibition of NF-κB (p65) activation was confirmed with an ELISA-based TransAM NF-κB kit. Caspase-8 and caspase-3 activities were determined by colorimetric protease assays. Our study demonstrates that fisetin sensitizes the TRAIL-resistant androgen-dependent LNCaP and the androgen-independent DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells to TRAIL-induced death. Fisetin augmented TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in prostate cancer LNCaP cells by engaging the extrinsic (receptor-mediated) and intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathways. Fisetin increased the expression of TRAIL-R1 and decreased the activity of NF-κB. Co-treatment of cancer cells with TRAIL and fisetin caused significant activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and disruption of ΔΨm. Our data indicate the usefulness of fisetin in prostate cancer chemoprevention through enhancement of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.     

表阿霉素提高胃癌BGC823细胞对TRAIL的敏感性

目的：研究表阿霉素对TRAIL诱导胃癌细胞BGC823细胞凋亡的影响,探讨脂筏和死亡受体4（DR4）在TRAIL诱导细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：采用MTT法测定细胞活力,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,免疫荧光显微技术检测脂筏和DR4在细胞膜的分布。结果：（0.1-50）μg/ml表阿霉素处理BGC823细胞24h,抑制细胞增殖50%的药物浓度（IC50）为（4.61±0.62）μg/ml。在BGC823细胞中,100ng/ml的TRAIL导致轻度的增殖抑制和细胞凋亡,TRAIL（100ng/ml）联合表阿霉素（4.61μg/ml）引起明显的增殖抑制和细胞凋亡（P〈0.05）。与对照组相比,100ng/ml的TRAIL作用BGC823细胞24 h,没有引起明显的脂筏聚集或DR4聚集。表阿霉素（4.61μg/ml）明显促进脂筏聚集和DR4聚集,同时观察到DR4和脂筏的共定位。表阿霉素和TRAIL联合作用24 h,同样观察到DR4定位在聚集的脂筏内。结论：表阿霉素通过促进DR4在脂筏聚集增强TRAIL诱导的胃癌BGC823细胞凋亡。     

Zoledronic acid induces apoptosis and changes the TRAIL/OPG ratio in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer has a propensity to metastasize to bone, thus causing pathological fractures. Bisphosphonates are established drugs in the treatment of bone metastasis that inhibit osteoclast activity and interrupt the vicious cycle of osteoclast–tumor cell interactions. We evaluated the direct effects of zoledronic acid on estrogen receptor (ER)-negative MDA-MB-231 and ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. While zoledronic acid (100 μM) inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation after 72 h, and induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 and -7, it had only minor effects on MCF-7 cells. In addition, zoledronic acid induced apoptosis by up-regulating TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in MDA-MB-231 cells (p < 0.01), but had no effect on the expression of its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG). In MCF-7 cells, both cytokines were suppressed by zoledronic acid. In conclusion, zoledronic acid enhanced the TRAIL-to-OPG ratio in TRAIL-sensitive MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating that the TRAIL/OPG cytokine system is a bisphosphonate-responsive target in breast cancer.     

HtrA1 sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by targeting XIAP for degradation

HtrA1, a member of serine protease family, has been previously found to be involved in resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer although the underlying mechanism is not clear. Using mixture-based oriented peptide library approach, previously we identified X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family, as a potential substrate of HtrA1. The aim of our work is to investigate the link between HtrA1 and XIAP proteins and their relationships with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Our results showed that recombinant XIAP was degraded by purified wild-type HtrA1 but not mutant HtrA1 in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro data, coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that HtrA1 and XIAP formed a protein complex in vivo. Ectopic expression of HtrA1 led to decreased level of XIAP in OV167 and OV202 ovarian cancer cells, while knockdown of HtrA1 resulted in increased level of XIAP in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, overexpression of HtrA1 in OV202 cells promoted cell sensitivity to cisplatin-induced apoptosis that could be reversed by increased expression of XIAP. The cleavage of XIAP induced by HtrA1 was enhanced by cisplatin treatment. Taken together, our experiments have identified XIAP as a novel substrate of HtrA1 and the degradation of XIAP by HtrA1 contributes to cell response to chemotherapy, suggesting that restoring the expression of HtrA1 may be a promising treatment strategy for ovarian cancer.     

Stable XIAP knockdown clones of HCT116 colon cancer cells are more sensitive to TRAIL, taxanes and irradiation in vitro

Purpose  To develop a model of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) down regulation in colorectal cancer cell lines. This may be used to determine whether combination strategies have clinical potential. Methods  A series of clones were developed using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against XIAP stably expressed in HCT116 cells. XIAP mRNA and protein levels were established by RT-PCR and Immunoblot, respectively. GeneChip microarrays confirmed XIAP knockdown and absence of compensation by other IAP members. Results  Four XIAP knockdown cell lines show 82–93% reduction in XIAP mRNA and 67–89% reduction in protein when compared to four luciferase control cell lines. XIAP knockdown sensitises cells to rhTRAIL by a factor of 3, to paclitaxel and docetaxel by a factor of >2 and, to a lesser extent, radiotherapy (20% enhancement). Conclusions  Clinical trials with XIAP antisense continue, and these data suggest combination studies with agents such as rhTRAIL and taxanes should be undertaken.     

Embelin induces apoptosis through down-regulation of XIAP in human leukemia cells

The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular mechanisms by which embelin induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells. Embelin resulted in loss of cell viability and inhibition of proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was largely attributed to apoptosis. Embelin caused depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) was down-regulated by embelin. Embelin induced activation of caspase-9 and embelin-induced apoptosis was prevented by caspase inhibitors. Taken together, these findings suggest that embelin results in human leukemia cells apoptosis through caspase-dependent mechanisms involving down-regulation of XIAP.     

Targeting XIAP bypasses Bcl-2-mediated resistance to TRAIL and cooperates with TRAIL to suppress pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo

Resistance to apoptosis is a hallmark of pancreatic cancer, a leading cause of cancer deaths. Therefore, novel strategies are required to target apoptosis resistance. Here, we report that the combination of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) inhibition and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an effective approach to trigger apoptosis despite Bcl-2 overexpression and to suppress pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of XIAP by RNA interference cooperates with TRAIL to induce caspase activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release are extensively inhibited by a broad range or caspase-3 selective caspase inhibitor and by RNAi-mediated silencing of caspase-3, indicating that XIAP inhibition enhances TRAIL-induced mitochondrial damage in a caspase-3-dependent manner. XIAP inhibition combined with TRAIL even breaks Bcl-2-imposed resistance by converting type II cells that depend on the mitochondrial contribution to the death receptor pathway to type I cells in which TRAIL-induced activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and apoptosis proceeds irrespective of high Bcl-2 levels. Most importantly, XIAP inhibition potentiates TRAIL-induced antitumor activity in two preclinical models of pancreatic cancer in vivo. In the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model, XIAP inhibition significantly enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and suppression of tumor growth. In a tumor regression model in xenograft-bearing mice, XIAP inhibition acts in concert with TRAIL to cause even regression of established pancreatic carcinoma. Thus, this combination of XIAP inhibition plus TRAIL is a promising strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance of pancreatic cancer that warrants further investigation.     

A galectin-3 sequence polymorphism confers TRAIL sensitivity to human breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND:

A common polymorphism, rs4644, coding for Pro64 or His64 of the carbohydrate‐binding protein galectin‐3, influences the susceptibility of galectin‐3 to cleavage by matrix metalloproteinases and is associated with breast cancer incidence. Because forced expression of galectin‐3 in a galectin‐3 null breast cancer cell line confers sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL), the authors sought to determine whether the His64/Pro64 polymorphism of galectin‐3 affects the sensitivity to TRAIL.

METHODS:

Genomic DNA of breast cell lines was analyzed for the single nucleotide polymorphism rs4644, and cytotoxicity was determined with the MTT assay.

RESULTS:

When a collection of 9 breast cancer cell lines that express galectin‐3 was examined for lectin, galactoside‐binding, soluble, 3 (LGALS3) genotype and sensitivity to doxorubicin and TRAIL, doxorubicin sensitivity was not found to be related to LGALS3 genotype. In contrast, none of the 5 cell lines that were homozygous for Pro64 galectin‐3 were found to be sensitive to TRAIL, but 2 of 2 homozygous His64 cell lines and 1 of 2 heterozygous His64 cell lines were sensitive to TRAIL. Forced expression of galectin‐3 of defined genotype in galectin‐3 null cells was used to more directly test the effect of the Pro64His mutation on TRAIL sensitivity. High levels of expression of His64 galectin‐3 rendered BT549 cells sensitive to TRAIL and resistant to doxorubicin, but cells expressing Pro64 galectin‐3 remained resistant to TRAIL and sensitive to doxorubicin.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the current study indicate that the naturally occurring Pro64His mutation in galectin‐3 increases sensitivity to death receptor‐mediated apoptosis. This finding could be relevant to disparities in breast cancer outcomes across population groups, and could guide the design of future clinical trials of TRAIL‐based therapies. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

腺病毒介导ｐ１６基因表达对胃癌细胞化疗敏感性的增强作用*

目的　研究ｐ１６基因对胃癌细胞化疗敏感性的作用。方法　构建携带ｐ１６基因的腺病毒感染胃癌细胞株ＳＧＣ-７９０１;Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔｔｉｎｇ鉴定癌细胞ｐ１６的表达;ＭＴＴ法检测顺铂（ＤＤＰ）对癌细胞存活率的影响;动物体内实验验证ｐ１６与ＤＤＰ对癌细胞生长抑制的协同作用。结果　腺病毒感染胃癌细胞后表达ｐ１６使癌细胞对ＤＤＰ更为敏感,其中ｐ１６阳性组的细胞在ＤＤＰ浓度达到１.５ｍｇ／Ｌ时,细胞存活率降至２０％以下,而同期ｐ１６阴性组的细胞在相同ＤＤＰ浓度时存活率仅下降至６０％左右。ｐ１６腺病毒联合ＤＤＰ对裸鼠移植瘤的生长抑制明显强于单独应用ｐ１６腺病毒或ＤＤＰ。结论　胃癌细胞获得外源性ｐ１６表达对ＤＤＰ的敏感性提高,ｐ１６基因治疗联合化疗将有可能提高抗肿瘤效果。     

Hyperthermia enhances tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells

There is growing body of evidence linking the cellular response to heat stress with the response of the immune system to cancer. The anti-tumor immune response can be markedly enhanced by treatment with hyperthermia particularly in the fever range. In addition, the heat shock proteins (hsp) which are produced in abundant quantities in cells exposed to heat are potent immune modulators and can lead to stimulation of both the innate and adaptive immune responses to tumors. Immunostimulation by hyperthermia involves both direct effects of heat on the behavior of immune cells as well as indirect effects mediated through hsp release. In addition, the hsp can be deployed as components of antitumor vaccines in protocols that do not include hyperthermia. Understanding these process may permit the effective deployment of hyperthermia and hsp based vaccines in tumor treatment.     

CDK inhibitor enhances the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer cells

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a dNTP synthetic enzyme and is also a target enzyme of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). 5-FU is one of the anticancer agents most frequently used for the treatment of colorectal cancers. However, the clinical rate of response to its use as a single agent is not exceptionally high. Therefore, various combination chemotherapies have been devised. The elevated expression of TS in cancer cells is a serious obstacle in the clinical use of 5-FU. In the present study, TS expression was up-regulated by the knockout of the p21WAF1/CIP1 gene in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells, suggesting that TS expression is mediated through the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). Based on these findings, we tested whether the CDK inhibitor (CDKI) SU9516, acted as a suppressor of TS. SU9516 effectively reduced the expression of TS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the reduction of TS expression resulted in enhancement of the sensitivity to 5-FU in human colon cancer DLD-1 cells. Thus, SU9516 might be a promising compound for combination chemotherapy with 5-FU.     

Relationship between galectin-3 expression and TRAIL sensitivity in breast cancer

Evaluation of: Mazurek N, Byrd JC, Sun Y, Ueno S, Bresalier RS. A galectin-3 sequence polymorphism confers TRAIL sensitivity to human breast cancer cells. Cancer DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26078 (2011) (Epub ahead of print).

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) binds to death receptors expressed on cancer cells and induces apoptosis. Triple-negative breast cancer cell lines are more sensitive to TRAIL or TRAIL-death receptor agonistic monoclonal antibody-induced apoptosis compared with HER-2/neu-overexpressing or luminal cell lines. The paper under evaluation sought to determine whether the His64/Pro64 polymorphism of galectin-3, which is associated with breast cancer incidence, affects sensitivity to TRAIL. None of five breast cancer cell lines homozygous for Pro64 galectin-3 were sensitive to TRAIL, but two out of two homozygous His64 cell lines and one out of two heterozygous His64 cell lines were sensitive. Transfection of galectin-3 null BT549 breast cancer cells with His64 galectin-3 rendered them sensitive to TRAIL, while Pro64 galectin-3-transfected cells remained resistant to TRAIL. This article highlights that galectin-3 receptor expression and genotype may be useful markers in predicting TRAIL or agonistic antibody sensitivity of breast cancer patients.