Editorial

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Open AccessEditorial

Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer

by Anna Kawiak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9617; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23179617 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3551

Abstract

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the female population [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

Research

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16 pages, 33274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel CDK4/6 and PARP Dual Inhibitor ZC-22 Effectively Suppresses Tumor Growth and Improves the Response to Cisplatin Treatment in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

by Chenchen Tian, Yufan Wei, Jianjun Li, Zhi Huang, Qiong Wang, Yingxue Lin, Xingping Lv, Yanan Chen, Yan Fan, Peiqing Sun, Rong Xiang, Antao Chang and Shuang Yang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2892; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23052892 - 07 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3958

Abstract

In recent years, three PARP inhibitors and three CDK4/6 inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and advanced ER-positive breast cancer, respectively. However, the clinical benefits of the PARPi or CDK4/6i monotherapy are not as satisfied [...] Read more.

In recent years, three PARP inhibitors and three CDK4/6 inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and advanced ER-positive breast cancer, respectively. However, the clinical benefits of the PARPi or CDK4/6i monotherapy are not as satisfied as expected and benefit only a fraction of patients. Current studies have shown therapeutic synergy for combinations of PARPi and CDK4/6i in breast and ovarian cancers with homologous recombination (HR) proficiency, which represents a new synthetic lethal strategy for treatment of these cancers regardless HR status. Thus, any compounds or strategies that can combine PARP and CDK4/6 inhibition will likely have great potential in improving clinic outcomes and in benefiting more patients. In this study, we developed a novel compound, ZC-22, that effectively inhibited both PARP and CDK4/6. This dual-targeting compound significantly inhibited breast and ovarian cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and severe DNA damage both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the efficacy of ZC-22 is even higher than the combination of PARPi Olaparib and CDK4/6i Abemaciclib in most breast and ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative for the PARPi and CDK4/6i combination therapy. Moreover, ZC-22 sensitized breast and ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin treatment, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Altogether, our study has demonstrated the potency of a novel CDK4/6 and PARP dual inhibitor, which can potentially be developed into a monotherapy or combinatorial therapy with cisplatin for breast and ovarian cancer patients with HR proficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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14 pages, 3668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Primaquine Inhibits the Endosomal Trafficking and Nuclear Localization of EGFR and Induces the Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells by Nuclear EGFR/Stat3-Mediated c-Myc Downregulation

by Ji-Hyang Kim, Hack-Sun Choi and Dong-Sun Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12961; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222312961 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2330

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Nuclear EGFR (nEGFR) drives resistance to anti-EGFR therapy and is correlated with poor survival in breast cancer. Inhibition of EGFR nuclear translocation may be a reasonable approach for the treatment of [...] Read more.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Nuclear EGFR (nEGFR) drives resistance to anti-EGFR therapy and is correlated with poor survival in breast cancer. Inhibition of EGFR nuclear translocation may be a reasonable approach for the treatment of TNBC. The anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine have been shown to promote an anticancer effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of chloroquine- and primaquine-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. We showed that primaquine, a malaria drug, inhibits the growth, migration, and colony formation of breast cancer cells in vitro, and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Primaquine induces damage to early endosomes and inhibits the nuclear translocation of EGFR. Primaquine inhibits the interaction of Stat3 and nEGFR and reduces the transcript and protein levels of c-Myc. Moreover, primaquine and chloroquine induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells through c-Myc/Bcl-2 downregulation, induce early endosome damage and reduce nEGFR levels, and induce apoptosis in breast cancer through nEGFR/Stat3-dependent c-Myc downregulation. Our study of primaquine and chloroquine provides a rationale for targeting EGFR signaling components in the treatment of breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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14 pages, 3662 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aptamer-Aptamer Chimera for Targeted Delivery and ATP-Responsive Release of Doxorubicin into Cancer Cells

by Ezaldeen Esawi, Walhan Alshaer, Ismail Sami Mahmoud, Dana A. Alqudah, Bilal Azab and Abdalla Awidi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12940; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222312940 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2839

Abstract

Aptamers offer a great opportunity to develop innovative drug delivery systems that can deliver cargos specifically into targeted cells. In this study, a chimera consisting of two aptamers was developed to deliver doxorubicin into cancer cells and release the drug in cytoplasm in [...] Read more.

Aptamers offer a great opportunity to develop innovative drug delivery systems that can deliver cargos specifically into targeted cells. In this study, a chimera consisting of two aptamers was developed to deliver doxorubicin into cancer cells and release the drug in cytoplasm in response to adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) binding. The chimera was composed of the AS1411 anti-nucleolin aptamer for cancer cell targeting and the ATP aptamer for loading and triggering the release of doxorubicin in cells. The chimera was first produced by hybridizing the ATP aptamer with its complementary DNA sequence, which is linked with the AS1411 aptamer via a poly-thymine linker. Doxorubicin was then loaded inside the hybridized DNA region of the chimera. Our results show that the AS1411–ATP aptamer chimera was able to release loaded doxorubicin in cells in response to ATP. In addition, selective uptake of the chimera into cancer cells was demonstrated using flow cytometry. Furthermore, confocal laser scanning microscopy showed the successful delivery of the doxorubicin loaded in chimeras to the nuclei of targeted cells. Moreover, the doxorubicin-loaded chimeras effectively inhibited the growth of cancer cell lines and reduced the cytotoxic effect on the normal cells. Overall, the results of this study show that the AS1411–ATP aptamer chimera could be used as an innovative approach for the selective delivery of doxorubicin to cancer cells, which may improve the therapeutic potency and decrease the off-target cytotoxicity of doxorubicin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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14 pages, 5300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Doxorubicin-Resistant TNBC Cells Exhibit Rapid Growth with Cancer Stem Cell-like Properties and EMT Phenotype, Which Can Be Transferred to Parental Cells through Autocrine Signaling

by Anjugam Paramanantham, Eun Joo Jung, Hye Jung Kim, Bae Kwon Jeong, Jin-Myung Jung, Gon Sup Kim, Soon Chan Hong and Won Sup Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12438; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222212438 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2580

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be involved in resistance to doxorubicin. However, it is unlear whether the doxorubicin-induced EMT and expansion of BCSCs is related to cancer dormancy, or outgrowing cancer cells with maintaining [...] Read more.

Emerging evidence suggests that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be involved in resistance to doxorubicin. However, it is unlear whether the doxorubicin-induced EMT and expansion of BCSCs is related to cancer dormancy, or outgrowing cancer cells with maintaining resistance to doxorubicin, or whether the phenotypes can be transferred to other doxorubicin-sensitive cells. Here, we characterized the phenotype of doxorubicin-resistant TNBC cells while monitoring the EMT process and expansion of CSCs during the establishment of doxorubicin-resistant MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells (DRM cells). In addition, we assessed the potential signaling associated with the EMT process and expansion of CSCs in doxorubicin-resistance of DRM cells. DRM cells exhibited morphological changes from spindle-shaped MDA-MB-231 cells into round-shaped giant cells. They exhibited highly proliferative, EMT, adhesive, and invasive phenotypes. Molecularly, they showed up-regulation of Cyclin D1, mesenchymal markers (β-catenin, and N-cadherin), MMP-2, MMP-9, ICAM-1 and down-regulation of E-cadherin. As the molecular mechanisms responsible for the resistance to doxorubicin, up-regulation of EGFR and its downstream signaling, were suggested. AKT and ERK1/2 expression were also increased in DRM cells with the advancement of resistance to doxorubicin. Furthermore, doxorubicin resistance of DRM cells can be transferred by autocrine signaling. In conclusion, DRM cells harbored EMT features with CSC properties possessing increased proliferation, invasion, migration, and adhesion ability. The doxorubicin resistance, and doxorubicin-induced EMT and CSC properties of DRM cells, can be transferred to parental cells through autocrine signaling. Lastly, this feature of DRM cells might be associated with the up-regulation of EGFR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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17 pages, 3839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Presence of Yin-Yang Effects in the Migration Pattern of Staurosporine-Treated Single versus Collective Breast Carcinoma Cells

by Frank A. H. Meyer, Dominik Kraus, Alexander Glassmann, Nadine Veit, Jochen Winter and Rainer Probstmeier

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11961; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222111961 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1530

Abstract

Background: Staurosporine-dependent single and collective cell migration patterns of breast carcinoma cells MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 were analysed to characterise the presence of drug-dependent migration promoting and inhibiting yin-yang effects. Methods: Migration patterns of various breast cancer cells after staurosporine treatment were investigated [...] Read more.

Background: Staurosporine-dependent single and collective cell migration patterns of breast carcinoma cells MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 were analysed to characterise the presence of drug-dependent migration promoting and inhibiting yin-yang effects. Methods: Migration patterns of various breast cancer cells after staurosporine treatment were investigated using Western blot, cell toxicity assays, single and collective cell migration assays, and video time-lapse. Statistical analyses were performed with Kruskal–Wallis and Fligner–Killeen tests. Results: Application of staurosporine induced the migration of single MCF-7 cells but inhibited collective cell migration. With the exception of low-density SK-BR-3 cells, staurosporine induced the generation of immobile flattened giant cells. Video time-lapse analysis revealed that within the borderline of cell collectives, staurosporine reduced the velocity of individual MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3, but not of MCF-7 cells. In individual MCF-7 cells, mainly the directionality of migration became disturbed, which led to an increased migration rate parallel to the borderline, and hereby to an inhibition of the migration of the cell collective as a total. Moreover, the application of staurosporine led to a transient activation of ERK1/2 in all cell lines. Conclusion: Dependent on the context (single versus collective cells), a drug may induce opposite effects in the same cell line. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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15 pages, 1449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

OCT1 Is a Poor Prognostic Factor for Breast Cancer Patients and Promotes Cell Proliferation via Inducing NCAPH

by Takuya Ogura, Kotaro Azuma, Junichiro Sato, Keiichi Kinowaki, Ken-Ichi Takayama, Toshihiko Takeiwa, Hidetaka Kawabata and Satoshi Inoue

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11505; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222111505 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2148

Abstract

Octamer transcription factor 1 (OCT1) is a transcriptional factor reported to be a poor prognostic factor in various cancers. However, the clinical value of OCT1 in breast cancer is not fully understood. In the present study, an immunohistochemical study of OCT1 protein was [...] Read more.

Octamer transcription factor 1 (OCT1) is a transcriptional factor reported to be a poor prognostic factor in various cancers. However, the clinical value of OCT1 in breast cancer is not fully understood. In the present study, an immunohistochemical study of OCT1 protein was performed using estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer tissues from 108 patients. Positive OCT1 immunoreactivity (IR) was associated with the shorter disease-free survival (DFS) of patients (p = 0.019). Knockdown of OCT1 inhibited cell proliferation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells as well as its derivative long-term estrogen-deprived (LTED) cells. On the other hand, the overexpression of OCT1 promoted cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells. Using microarray analysis, we identified the non-structural maintenance of chromosomes condensin I complex subunit H (NCAPH) as a novel OCT1-taget gene in MCF-7 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that NCAPH IR was significantly positively associated with OCT1 IR (p < 0.001) and that positive NCAPH IR was significantly related to the poor DFS rate of patients (p = 0.041). The knockdown of NCAPH inhibited cell proliferation in MCF-7 and LTED cells. These results demonstrate that OCT1 and its target gene NCAPH are poor prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets for patients with ER-positive breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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Review

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20 pages, 1178 KiB

Open AccessReview

New Advances in the Research of Resistance to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

by Junsha An, Cheng Peng, Hailin Tang, Xiuxiu Liu and Fu Peng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9644; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22179644 - 06 Sep 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4701

Abstract

Breast cancer has an extremely high incidence in women, and its morbidity and mortality rank first among female tumors. With the increasing development of medicine today, the clinical application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has brought new hope to the treatment of breast cancer. Although [...] Read more.

Breast cancer has an extremely high incidence in women, and its morbidity and mortality rank first among female tumors. With the increasing development of medicine today, the clinical application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has brought new hope to the treatment of breast cancer. Although the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been confirmed, drug resistance is one of the main reasons for its treatment failure, contributing to the difficulty in the treatment of breast cancer. This article focuses on multiple mechanisms of action and expounds a series of recent research advances that mediate drug resistance in breast cancer cells. Drug metabolizing enzymes can mediate a catalytic reaction to inactivate chemotherapeutic drugs and develop drug resistance. The drug efflux system can reduce the drug concentration in breast cancer cells. The combination of glutathione detoxification system and platinum drugs can cause breast cancer cells to be insensitive to drugs. Changes in drug targets have led to poorer efficacy of HER2 receptor inhibitors. Moreover, autophagy, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and tumor microenvironment can all contribute to the development of resistance in breast cancer cells. Based on the relevant research on the existing drug resistance mechanism, the current treatment plan for reversing the resistance of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is explored, and the potential drug targets are analyzed, aiming to provide a new idea and strategy to reverse the resistance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Treatment of Breast Cancer)

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