Nucleolin and ErbB2 inhibition reduces tumorigenicity of ErbB2-positive breast cancer

Abstract

ErbB2, a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is an essential player in the cell’s growth and proliferation signaling pathways. Amplification or overexpression of ErbB2 is observed in ∼30% of breast cancer patients, and often drives cellular transformation and cancer development. Recently, we have shown that ErbB2 interacts with the nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein nucleolin, an interaction which enhances cell transformation in vitro, and increases mortality risk and disease progression rate in human breast cancer patients. Given these results, and since acquired resistance to anti-ErbB2-targeted therapy is a major obstacle in treatment of breast cancer, we have examined the therapeutic potential of targeting the ErbB2–nucleolin complex. The effect of the nucleolin-specific inhibitor GroA (AS1411) on ErbB2-positive breast cancer was tested in vivo, in a mouse xenograft model for breast cancer; as well as in vitro, alone and in combination with the ErbB2 kinase-inhibitor tyrphostin AG-825. Here, we show that in vivo treatment of ErbB2-positive breast tumor xenografts with GroA reduces tumor size and leads to decreased ErbB2-mediated signaling. Moreover, we found that co-treatment of breast cancer cell lines with GroA and the ErbB2 kinase-inhibitor tyrphostin AG-825 enhances the anti-cancer effects exerted by GroA alone in terms of cell viability, mortality, migration, and invasiveness. We, therefore, suggest a novel therapeutic approach, consisting of combined inhibition of ErbB2 and nucleolin, which has the potential to improve breast cancer treatment efficacy.

Mendelian randomization analyses of genetically predicted circulating levels of cytokines with risk of breast cancer

“…We additionally found suggestive evidence for significant associations between Eotaxin, GROa, IL12p70, IL16, MIF, SCF, and BC risk. Among them, Eotaxin, GROa, IL12p70, IL16, and SCF took part in the regulation of inflammatory pathways in BC carcinogenesis, and contributed to higher BC risk [42][43][44][45] . Interestingly, genetically raised level of MIF was associated with decreased risk of BC (OR: 0.88; 95% CIs: 0.81-0.95; P value: 1.9 × 10 −3 ), especially in ER-negative BC cases (OR: 0.84; 95% CIs: 0.72-0.97; P value: 0.018).…”

Altered mitochondrial dynamics and function in APOE4-expressing astrocytes

“…Brains were removed, post-fixed for overnight at 4 °C in 4% paraformaldehyde followed by 20% sucrose in PBS for 48 h at 4 °C. Coronal serial cryostat sections were cut (20 µm) and stained as described previously 17 . Sections were imaged using fluorescence microscopy (Olympus motorized inverted research microscope Model IX81; ×20 magnifications).…”

Proteomics Approach of Rapamycin Anti-Tumoral Effect on Primary and Metastatic Canine Mammary Tumor Cells In Vitro

“…Nucleolin overexpression was related with tumorigenesis and tumor progression, since it promotes invasion and angiogenesis, inducing cell growth, proliferation and increasing survival [ 50 , 51 ]. Therefore, nucleolin overexpression is also correlated with a higher risk of tumor recurrence, decreased survival rate to different types of cancer and higher rates of metastasis [ 51 , 52 ].…”