Review
Oncology
Paulina Miziak, Marzena Baran, Ewa Blaszczak, Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka, Joanna Kalafut, Jolanta Smok-Kalwat, Magdalena Dmoszynska-Graniczka, Michal Kielbus, Andrzej Stepulak
Summary: ER signaling is a critical regulator in breast cancer and other hormone-sensitive cancers. This article reviews the mechanism of ER-dependent downstream signaling in breast cancer and discusses the clinical implications of ER signaling, including potential endocrine therapies. The challenges associated with therapy resistance caused by acquired ER mutations and potential strategies to overcome them are also discussed.
Review
Oncology
Charles Dai, Leif W. Ellisen
Summary: Aberrant estrogen receptor (ER) signaling plays a key role in the development of many breast cancers. The androgen receptor (AR), similar to ER, is frequently expressed in breast cancer and has been considered as a potential therapeutic target. However, the understanding of androgen signaling in breast cancer is incomplete and there are conflicting findings regarding the role of AR. This article summarizes the current understanding of AR biology and recent investigations into AR-directed therapies in breast cancer.
Review
Cell Biology
Hongjiao Yu, Chaonan Sun, Qing Gong, Du Feng
Summary: MAMs function as a crucial intracellular signaling hub, regulating various cellular events including breast cancer initiation and progression. Abnormal expression of MAM-resident proteins in breast cancer has been documented, playing a key role in the regulation of the disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jharna Datta, Natalie Willingham, Jasmine M. Manouchehri, Patrick Schnell, Mirisha Sheth, Joel J. David, Mahmoud Kassem, Tyler A. Wilson, Hanna S. Radomska, Christopher C. Coss, Chad E. Bennett, Ramesh K. Ganju, Sagar D. Sardesai, Maryam Lustberg, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Daniel G. Stover, Mathew A. Cherian
Summary: Highly selective ER beta agonists have been shown to effectively inhibit the viability of ER alpha+ breast cancer cell lines in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ER alpha+ breast cancer. The combination of ER beta agonists with ER alpha antagonists shows strong synergy, maximizing the efficacy of ER beta agonists in blocking cell proliferation, migration, and inducing apoptosis. Negative correlation between ESR2 (ER beta gene) expression and ESR1 (ER alpha gene) and CCND1 RNA expression was observed in human metastatic ER alpha+/HER2- breast cancer samples.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ting Zhuang, Beibei Wang, Xiaojing Tan, Le Wu, Xin Li, Zhongbo Li, Yuqing Cai, Rongrong Fan, Xiao Yang, Chenmiao Zhang, Yan Xia, Zhiguo Niu, Bingtian Liu, Qi Cao, Yinlu Ding, Zhipeng Zhou, Qingsong Huang, Huijie Yang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that TRIM3, an E3 ligase, promotes ER alpha signaling activity and breast cancer progression. Depletion of TRIM3 inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and migration, and unbiased RNA sequencing data showed that TRIM3 is crucial for estrogen signaling activity on a genome-wide scale. The researchers also demonstrated that TRIM3 associates with ER alpha and promotes its stability by inducing a specific ubiquitin modification. These findings provide a novel posttranslational mechanism in estrogen signaling and suggest that modulation of TRIM3 expression or function could be a promising approach for breast cancer treatment.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Folasade R. R. Olayoku, Nicolette J. D. Verhoog, Ann Louw
Summary: Breast cancer, particularly estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, is a prevalent disease among women in economically developing countries. Current endocrine therapies for ER+ breast cancer exhibit effectiveness but are associated with severe side effects and resistance. This study investigates the potential of Cyclopia subternata Vogel extracts to modulate estrogen receptor subtypes and inhibit breast cancer proliferation. The results show that the extracts SM6Met and cup of tea reduce estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) protein levels while elevating estrogen receptor beta (ERb) protein levels, leading to a decreased ERa:ERb ratio similar to standard endocrine therapies. Additionally, the extracts regulate estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta protein levels through transcriptional and translational, and proteasomal degradation mechanisms. These findings suggest that Cyclopia subternata Vogel extracts could be explored as potential therapeutics for breast cancer.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Anette H. Skjervold, Marit Valla, Anna M. Bofin
Summary: In this study, we examined the associations between levels of ER expression and tumour characteristics and prognosis in three large cohorts of BC patients. The results showed that ER Low Positive tumours were mainly found in Luminal B (HER2+) subtype and grade 3 tumours. The risk of death from BC was lower in ER Low Positive and ER ≥ 10% compared to ER-negative cases. Patients diagnosed in 1995 or later with ER Low Positive BCs had smaller, lower-grade tumours with lower proliferation status and similar prognosis compared to those with ER ≥ 10% tumours.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Xia Qiu, Tianjiao Zhao, Ran Luo, Ran Qiu, Zhaoming Li
Summary: TNBC is a subtype of breast cancer that lacks ER, PR, and HER-2 receptors. TAMs are macrophages infiltrating the tumor, derived from circulating blood mononuclear cells, and play a role in the occurrence and metastasis of TNBC, possibly serving as potential biomarkers for prognosis prediction.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tae Woo Kim, Seong-Gyu Ko
Summary: The study presents a novel herbal extract, JI017, that induces cell death and ER stress in breast cancer cells, and overcomes paclitaxel resistance by blocking EMT processes. These findings suggest that JI017 may serve as a powerful anti-cancer agent in breast cancer and a potential therapy for paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer.
Article
Oncology
Huijie Yang, Xulei Lv, Xin Li, Lanzhi Mao, Zhiguo Niu, Ting Wang, Ting Zhuang, Qingsong Huang
Summary: The study investigated the role of Zinc finger protein 213 in ER alpha protein stability and tamoxifen resistance, revealing its correlation with poor outcomes in endocrine treated patients. Depletion of ZNF213 inhibited ER alpha signaling and proliferation in breast cancer cells, suggesting it as a potential target for ER alpha positive breast cancer therapy.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Maryam Althobiti, Khloud A. El-sharawy, Chitra Joseph, Mohammed Aleskandarany, Michael S. Toss, Andrew R. Green, Emad A. Rakha
Summary: SLC39A6 may have prognostic value for a better outcome in ER + luminal breast cancer, with high expression being associated with longer BC-specific survival even in patients who did not receive endocrine therapy. Further functional studies on the role of SLC39A6 in ER + luminal breast cancer are warranted.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Munkyung Choi, Keon Wook Kang
Summary: The proper regulation of mitochondrial function is crucial for cellular homeostasis, particularly in cancer cells where dysregulation of mitochondria is associated with various cellular events. Mitoregulin (MTLN) has been reported to control mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes, but its role in cancer cells remains unclear. This study found that MTLN regulates membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in breast cancer cells. MTLN deficiency led to abnormal formation of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) and impaired stress adaptation. MTLN downregulation significantly enhanced the vulnerability of breast cancer cells to ER stress inducers, indicating its importance in stress-adaptation responses.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tae Woo Kim
Summary: Angelica gigas has a potent anti-tumor and anti-cancer effect. This study focused on the bioactive compound nodakenin and its effects on breast cancer. Nodakenin was found to inhibit breast cancer cell viability, decrease tumor volume in mice, and induce apoptosis. It also affected signaling pathways and calcium release. Additionally, nodakenin combined with radiation overcame radioresistance in breast cancer cells. These findings suggest nodakenin as a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Article
Oncology
Jinhui Lue, Qian Zhao, Yuefan Guo, Danni Li, Heying Xie, Cuicui Liu, Xin Hu, Suling Liu, Zhaoyuan Hou, Xunbin Wei, Deyou Zheng, Richard G. Pestell, Zuoren Yu
Summary: This study identified a miR-29a-PTEN-AKT axis as a downstream signaling pathway of ER alpha in breast cancer metastasis. Low level of miR-29a was associated with reduced metastasis and better survival in ER alpha+ luminal subtype of BC, while high level of miR-29a was detected in ER alpha- triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with distant metastasis and poor survival. Targeting miR-29a suppressed cellular invasion, EMT and lung metastasis in TNBC cells in vitro and in TNBC tumor-bearing mice in vivo.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Wei-Ting Chang, Yu-Wen Lin, Chung-Han Ho, Zhih-Cherng Chen, Ping-Yen Liu, Jhih-Yuan Shih
Summary: The study found that dapagliflozin can alleviate doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic conditions, potentially preventing cardiac toxicity in diabetic cancer patients receiving doxorubicin treatment.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Sport Sciences
Amanda D. Hagstrom, Nicole Yuwono, Kristina Warton, Caroline E. Ford
Article
Oncology
Dongli Liu, Luis Enriquez, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: This study investigated the role of the Wnt signalling receptor ROR2 in endometrial cancer and found that low expression was associated with unfavorable outcomes and reduced overall survival. Epigenetic repression of ROR2 expression was observed in cancer cell lines and patient samples, and ectopic expression inhibited invasive ability. The findings suggest that ROR2 may serve as a diagnostic or therapeutic candidate for endometrial cancer.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anais Alonso, Nicole Laurencia Yuwono, Sahar Houshdaran, Jason Abbott, Rachael Rodgers, Caroline Elizabeth Ford, Kristina Warton
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis have higher plasma concentrations of circulating cell-free DNA (cirDNA) than those without endometriosis. The results showed no significant differences in any of the cirDNA parameters between the two groups.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nicole Laurencia Yuwono, Mollie Ailie Acheson Boyd, Claire Elizabeth Henry, Bonnita Werner, Caroline Elizabeth Ford, Kristina Warton
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of long-term storage on the yield and fragmentation of cirDNA in plasma. The results showed that storage for up to two years caused a decline in cirDNA yield, with short fragments being lost more rapidly than long fragments. CirDNA yield was influenced by plasma input and elution volumes, but not by hemolysis.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bonnita Werner, Kristina Warton, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a valuable molecular biomarker in oncology research and treatment, and while its properties in blood have been extensively studied, there is still much to be discovered about cfDNA in other body fluids. Saliva, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, faeces, pleural effusions, and ascites have unique advantages over blood in terms of cfDNA, making them potential alternatives for liquid biopsies. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge and identifies areas where further research is needed to accelerate the clinical implementation of non-blood liquid biopsies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dongli Liu, Gunnar F. Kaufmann, James B. Breitmeyer, Kristie-Ann Dickson, Deborah J. Marsh, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: This study investigated the potential of Zilovertamab, a ROR1-targeting therapy, in treating high-grade serous ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. The results showed that Zilovertamab alone could inhibit tumor cell proliferation, but its combination with commonly used chemotherapy drugs did not enhance the anti-proliferative activity.
Letter
Medical Laboratory Technology
Teagan Fisher, Caroline E. Ford, Kristina Warton
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dongli Liu, Kate Gunther, Luis A. Enriquez, Benjamin Daniels, Tracy A. O'Mara, Katrina Tang, Amanda B. Spurdle, Caroline E. Ford
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Correction
Oncology
C. E. Henry, E. Llamosas, A. Djordjevic, N. F. Hacker, C. E. Ford
Article
Oncology
Ashley Weir, Eun-Young Kang, Nicola S. Meagher, Gregg S. Nelson, Prafull Ghatage, Cheng-Han Lee, Marjorie J. Riggan, Aleksandra Gentry-Maharaj, Andy Ryan, Naveena Singh, Martin Widschwendter, Jennifer Alsop, Michael S. Anglesio, Matthias W. Beckmann, Jessica Berger, Christiani Bisinotto, Jessica Boros, Alison H. Brand, James D. Brenton, Angela Brooks-Wilson, Michael E. Carney, Julie M. Cunningham, Kara L. Cushing-Haugen, Cezary Cybulski, Esther Elishaev, Ramona Erber, Sian Fereday, Anna Fischer, Luis Paz-Ares, Javier Gayarre, Blake C. Gilks, Marcel Grube, Paul R. Harnett, Holly R. Harris, Arndt Hartmann, Alexander Hein, Joy Hendley, Brenda Y. Hernandez, Sabine Heublein, Yajue Huang, Tomasz Huzarski, Anna Jakubowska, Mercedes Jimenez-Linan, Catherine J. Kennedy, Felix K. F. Kommoss, Jennifer M. Koziak, Bernhard Kraemer, Nhu D. Le, Jaime Lesnock, Jenny Lester, Jan Lubinski, Janusz Menkiszak, Britta Ney, Alexander Olawaiye, Sandra Orsulic, Ana Osorio, Luis Robles-Diaz, Matthias Ruebner, Mitul Shah, Raghwa Sharma, Yurii B. Shvetsov, Helen Steed, Aline Talhouk, Sarah E. Taylor, Nadia Traficante, Robert A. Vierkant, Chen Wang, Lynne R. Wilkens, Stacey J. Winham, Javier Benitez, Andrew Berchuck, David D. Bowtell, Francisco J. Candido dos Reis, Linda S. Cook, Anna DeFazio, Jennifer A. Doherty, Peter A. Fasching, Maria J. Garcia, Ellen L. Goode, Marc T. Goodman, Jacek Gronwald, David G. Huntsman, Beth Y. Karlan, Stefan Kommoss, Francesmary Modugno, Joellen M. Schildkraut, Hans-Peter Sinn, Annette Staebler, Linda E. Kelemen, Caroline E. Ford, Usha Menon, Paul D. P. Pharoah, Martin Koebel, Susan J. Ramus, D. Bowtell, A. DeFazio, N. Traficante, S. Fereday, A. Brand, P. Harnett, R. Sharma
Summary: Recently, a study found a positive correlation between protein expression of FOXJ1 and the 5-year survival rate of patients with tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). However, protein expression of GMNN was not significantly associated with patient survival. This study provides preliminary evidence for the prognostic value of FOXJ1 in HGSC and validates the prior mRNA-based prognostic association through immunohistochemistry.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
N. L. Yuwono, A. Alonso, J. Abbott, S. Houshdaran, C. E. Henry, R. Rodgers, C. E. Ford, K. Warton
Summary: The study found that circulating cell-free DNA from the endometrium does not increase during menstruation and is not elevated in endometriosis. The research did not identify cirDNA as a potential diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Tao Xie, Kristie-Ann Dickson, Christine Yee, Yue Ma, Caroline E. Ford, Nikola A. Bowden, Deborah J. Marsh
Summary: Synthetic lethality approaches involving the combination of events have shown significant advances in the treatment of women with ovarian cancer who have defects in the HRR pathway. PARP inhibitors have been approved for the clinical management of ovarian cancer, but challenges remain in overcoming acquired resistance, extending benefits to more patients, combining with other drugs, and developing new therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miya John, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: This study systematically examined the expression of transcript variants of ROR1/2 genes and found their expression in non-diseased tissues. The results suggest that the expression of ROR1/2 in healthy human tissues should be carefully considered for safety assessment of targeted therapy.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Bonnita Werner, Kristina Warton, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: Endogenous cfDNA in fetal bovine serum (FBS) may influence in vitro cfDNA measurements. Future studies should consider the presence of bovine cfDNA in FBS-supplemented media.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marilisa Cortesi, Dongli Liu, Christine Yee, Deborah J. Marsh, Caroline E. Ford
Summary: Computational models are increasingly important in biomedical research, but their accuracy and effectiveness rely on suitable parameter identification and validation. This study calibrated an in-silico model of ovarian cancer using datasets from different experimental models, and compared the parameters and simulated behaviors. It provides a framework for studying the effect of experimental models on computational systems and offers guidelines for comparative testing and selection of experimental models and protocols for parameter optimization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)