Project description:To explore the mechanism of endocrine resistance development in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, transcriptome analysis of MCF-7 and its endocrine resistant derivatives, including tamoxifen resistant (TAMR) sub-lines and long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) sub-lines, were performed using microarray.
Project description:Therapies targeting estrogenic stimulation in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC) reduce mortality, but resistance remains a major clinical problem. Molecular studies have shown few high frequency mutations to be associated with endocrine resistance. In contrast, expression profiling of primary ER+ BC samples has identified several promising signatures/networks for targeting. In this study, the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway was the common upregulated pathway in the ER+ LTED but not ER- LTED cell lines, suggesting a potential mechanism dependent on continued ER expression. Targeting the individual genes of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway with siRNAs caused a 30-50% drop in proliferation. Further analysis showed increased expression of 25-hydroxycholesterol (HC) in the MCF7 LTED cells. Exogenous 25-HC or 27-HC increased ER mediated-transcription and expression of the endogenous estrogen-regulated gene TFF1 in ER+ LTED cells but not in the ER-negative LTED. Additionally, recruitment of the ER and CREB-binding protein (CBP) to the TFF1 promoter was increased upon treatment with 25-HC and 27-HC. In silico analysis of 704 primary ER+ BC patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen showed increased expression of MSMO1 (p=0.047), EBP (p=0.043), SQLE (p=0.000009), and IDI1 (p=0.0005), enzymes required for cholesterol synthesis and increased in our in vitro models of endocrine resistance, to be associated with poor relapse-free survival. In contrast, no association was identified in over 700 patients with ER-negative BC. Taken together, these data provide support for the role of cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes and the cholesterol metabolites, 25-HC and 27-HC, in a novel mechanism of resistance to endocrine therapy in ER+ BC that has potential as a therapeutic target.
Project description:Expression of estrogen receptor (ESR1) determines whether a breast cancer patient receives endocrine therapy as part of their adjuvant care, but does not guarantee patient response. However, the molecular factors that define endocrine response in ESR1-positive breast cancer patients remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the DNA methylome of endocrine sensitivity and demonstrate the potential impact of differential DNA methylation on endocrine response in breast cancer. We show that DNA hypermethylation occurs predominantly at estrogen-responsive enhancers and is associated with reduced ESR1 binding and decreased gene expression of key regulators of ESR1-activity; thus providing a novel mechanism by which endocrine response is abated in ESR1-positive breast cancers. Conversely, we delineate that ESR1-responsive enhancer hypomethylation is critical in transition from normal mammary epithelial cells to endocrine responsive ESR1-positive cancer. Cumulatively these novel insights highlight the potential of ESR1-responsive enhancer methylation to both predict ESR1-positive disease and stratify ESR1-positive breast cancer patients as responders to endocrine therapy. Methylation profiling with Illumina's HumanMethylation450K array was performed on ESR1-positive hormone sensitive MCF7 cells, and three different well characterised endocrine resistant MCF7-derived cell lines; tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR), fulvestrant-resistant (FASR) and estrogen deprivation resistant (MCF7X) cells. For each cell line two biological replicates were profiled bringing the number of samples to eight.
Project description:Estrogen deprivation using aromatase inhibitors is currently the standard of care for patients with estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Unfortunately, prolonged estrogen deprivation leads to drug resistance (i.e. hormone-independent growth). We therefore used DNA microarray analysis to study the gene expression profiles of wild-type MCF-7 cells (which are sensitive to antihormone therapy) and long-term estrogen deprived MCF-7:5C and MCF-7:2A breast cancer cells (which are resistance to estrogen-deprivation; aromatase inhibitor resistant). Transcriptional profiling of wild-type MCF-7 cells and estrogen deprived MCF-7:5C and MCF-7:2A cells was performed using Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. Keywords: breast cancer cells, estrogen
Project description:Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and is classified in multiple subtypes, including the so called triple-negative BC (TNBC). This is characterized by lack of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), that represent common targets for BC treatment. Their absence limits the number of therapies that may be applied for TNBC treatment, suggesting the need to identify novel therapeutic targets against this disease. Several studies reported that the beta ER subtype (ERβ) is expressed in a sizeable fraction of TNBCs where its presence correlates with improved patient outcome. We evaluated ERβ expression in TNBC tissues by immunohistochemistry using two validated antibodies, demonstrating presence of this protein in 28% of samples. To investigate, in this context, the role of this estrogen receptor in TNBC biology, ERβ-expressing cell lines, representing different TNBC subtypes, were generated. Cellular and functional assays confirmed the antiproliferative activity of ERβ in TNBCs. Interaction proteomics revealed in BC nuclei the presence of several protein complexes associated with this receptor involved in chromatin remodeling, miRNA maturation and mRNA transcription. Transcriptome analyses pointed out tumor subtype-specific signaling pathways deregulation. Interestingly, among these the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway was commonly downregulated in all cell lines tested. Global analyses of ERβ binding to the genome showed its recruitment to regulatory sites of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP1), indicating a direct regulation of this pathway by the receptor. These findings suggest that drugs targeting components of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway may be new potential therapeutic options for TNBC treatment.
Project description:Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and is classified in multiple subtypes, including the so called triple-negative BC (TNBC). This is characterized by lack of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), that represent common targets for BC treatment. Their absence limits the number of therapies that may be applied for TNBC treatment, suggesting the need to identify novel therapeutic targets against this disease. Several studies reported that the beta ER subtype (ERβ) is expressed in a sizeable fraction of TNBCs where its presence correlates with improved patient outcome. We evaluated ERβ expression in TNBC tissues by immunohistochemistry using two validated antibodies, demonstrating presence of this protein in 28% of samples. To investigate, in this context, the role of this estrogen receptor in TNBC biology, ERβ-expressing cell lines, representing different TNBC subtypes, were generated. Cellular and functional assays confirmed the antiproliferative activity of ERβ in TNBCs. Interaction proteomics revealed in BC nuclei the presence of several protein complexes associated with this receptor involved in chromatin remodeling, miRNA maturation and mRNA transcription. Transcriptome analyses pointed out tumor subtype-specific signaling pathways deregulation. Interestingly, among these the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway was commonly downregulated in all cell lines tested. Global analyses of ERβ binding to the genome showed its recruitment to regulatory sites of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP1), indicating a direct regulation of this pathway by the receptor. These findings suggest that drugs targeting components of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway may be new potential therapeutic options for TNBC treatment.
Project description:<p>Highly variable outcomes are observed in patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer who undergo preoperative estrogen deprivation therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AI). In this study, 46 baseline tumor and normal genomes and 31 baseline tumor/normal exomes of participants selected from two clinical trials of neoadjuvant AI therapy on ER+ breast cancer were sequenced to identify somatic alterations that correlate with response to AI, to screen for therapeutic targets and to elucidate the genetic landscape of ER+ breast cancer. From the same set of patients we later performed deep genomic characterization of a subset of matched primary tumors after four months of AI therapy, generating comprehensive information about the range of changes that occur when ER+ breast cancers are subjected to estrogen deprivation. This data includes whole genome sequence and transcriptome data. To better understand tumor heterogeneity and the evolution of resistance to estrogen-deprivation therapy, a subset of these tumours, along with 38 additional cases were sequenced to greater depth using targeted capture with a gene panel.</p>
Project description:Aromatase inhibitors are first-line postmenopausal agents for estrogen receptor alpha (ERa)-positive breast cancer. However, there is considerable response heterogeneity and women frequently relapse. Estrogen deprivation does not completely arrest ERa activity, and transactivation of the unliganded receptor may continue through cross-talk with growth factor pathways. In contrast with aromatase inhibitors, the selective ER downregulator fulvestrant also abrogates ligand-independent ERa activity. The benefit of fulvestrant as an alternative, combination, or sequential therapy to aromatase inhibitor has been reported, but molecular mechanisms underpinning its relative efficacy remain unclear and biomarkers for patient selection are lacking. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the overall transcriptional response to fulvestrant is of greater magnitude than estrogen deprivation, consistent with its clinical efficacy and more complete blockade of estrogenic signaling. Using a robust integrative approach, we identify a subset of genes differentially affected by fulvestrant that comprises distinct biologic networks, correlates with antiproliferative response, and has potential utility as predictive biomarkers for fulvestrant. Global gene expression profiles from ERα-positive breast carcinomas before and during presurgical treatment with fulvestrant (n = 38) or anastrozole (n = 81), and corresponding in vitro models, were compared. Transcripts responding differently to fulvestrant and estrogen deprivation were identified and integrated using Gene Ontology, pathway and network analyses to evaluate their potential significance. --------------------------------- This represents the data for fulvestrant only
Project description:Adipose stromal cells (ASCs) are the primary source of local estrogens in adipose tissue, aberrant production of which promotes estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Here we show that extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity and cell contractility are two opposing determinants for estrogen output of ASCs. Using synthetic ECMs and elastomeric micropost arrays with tunable rigidity, we find that increasing matrix compliance induces transcription of aromatase, a rate-limiting enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis. This mechanical cue is transduced sequentially by Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), and phosphorylated JunB, which binds to and activates two breast cancer-associated aromatase promoters. In contrast, elevated cell contractility due to actin stress fiber formation dampens aromatase transcription. Mechanically stimulated stromal estrogen production enhances estrogen-dependent transcription in ER+ tumor cells and promotes their growth. This novel mechanotransduction pathway underlies communications between ECM, stromal hormone output, and cancer cell growth within the same microenvironment. Total RNA was isolated from primary adipose stromal cells after 2d culture or 3d Collagen gel for 21 hours. Triplicates for each conditioned were analyzed
Project description:Endocrine therapy is the main therapeutic option for patients with estrogen receptor alpha positive (ER+) breast cancer. Nevertheless, most of them become estrogen-independent and relapse after the treatment. Ret is a tyrosine kinase receptor that shows elevated expression levels in ER+ human breast tumors. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of the Ret receptor promotes proliferation as well as cell migration irrespective of endocrine therapy. Microarray data show that Ret activation involves changes in the expression of inflammatory- and motility-related genes. In vivo treatment with a Ret pathway inhibitor in a ER+/Ret+ mouse mammary cancer model, reduces tumor growth and lung metastasis even after endocrine therapy. Additionally, we show a connection between Ret and inflammatory pathways. The pro-inflamatory cytokine IL6 lies at the core of this regulation, which involves a positive feedback loop with IL6 and the Ret pathway reciprocally stimulating each other to further leading metastasis risk. Our findings provide insight into endocrine resistance mechanism and point at the Ret pathway as a potential target for future therapies. In order to model letrozole-sensitive breast cancer we use aromatase expressing MCF7 cells (MCF7/Aro). Six-day treatment (6 days) of cultures with letrozole (L) or fulvestrant (F) reversed the proliferative effects of the exposure to the estrogen (E2) precursor androstenedione (D4A). The addition of only EtOH (E) to the cells was used as control condition of deprivation. Treatment with the Ret ligand GDNF (G) partially rescues the inhibition of estrogen-dependent proliferation in these cells. To go deeper insight into the pathways involved, we decided to perform a microarray following different treatments (1-8: E, E+G, D, D+G, L, L+G, F, F+G) used in proliferation assays. Three biological replicates (rep 1-3) were used to the array.