A TFAP2C Gene Signature Is Predictive of Outcome in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.
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ABSTRACT: The AP-2? transcription factor, encoded by the TFAP2C gene, regulates the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER?) and other genes associated with hormone response in luminal breast cancer. Little is known about the role of AP-2? in other breast cancer subtypes. A subset of HER2+ breast cancers with amplification of the TFAP2C gene locus becomes addicted to AP-2?. Herein, we sought to define AP-2? gene targets in HER2+ breast cancer and identify genes accounting for physiologic effects of growth and invasiveness regulated by AP-2?. Comparing HER2+ cell lines that demonstrated differential response to growth and invasiveness with knockdown of TFAP2C, we identified a set of 68 differentially expressed target genes. CDH5 and CDKN1A were among the genes differentially regulated by AP-2? and that contributed to growth and invasiveness. Pathway analysis implicated the MAPK13/p38? and retinoic acid regulatory nodes, which were confirmed to display divergent responses in different HER2+ cancer lines. To confirm the clinical relevance of the genes identified, the AP-2? gene signature was found to be highly predictive of outcome in patients with HER2+ breast cancer. We conclude that AP-2? regulates a set of genes in HER2+ breast cancer that drive cancer growth and invasiveness. The AP-2? gene signature predicts outcome of patients with HER2+ breast cancer and pathway analysis predicts that subsets of patients will respond to drugs that target the MAPK or retinoic acid pathways. IMPLICATIONS: A set of genes regulated by AP-2? in HER2+ breast cancer that drive proliferation and invasion were identified and provided a gene signature that is predictive of outcome in HER2+ breast cancer.
SUBMITTER: Wu VT
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6942205 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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