A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Systematic drug screening reveals specific vulnerabilities and co-resistance patterns in endocrine-resistant breast cancer




AuthorsKangaspeska S, Hultsch S, Jaiswal A, Edgren H, Mpindi JP, Eldfors S, Bruck O, Aittokallio T, Kallioniemi O

PublisherBIOMED CENTRAL LTD

Publishing placeLondon

Publication year2016

JournalBMC Cancer

Journal name in sourceBMC CANCER

Journal acronymBMC CANCER

Article numberARTN 378

Volume16

Number of pages17

ISSN1471-2407

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-016-2452-5


Abstract
Background: The estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitor tamoxifen reduces breast cancer mortality by 31 % and has served as the standard treatment for ER-positive breast cancers for decades. However, 50 % of advanced ER-positive cancers display de novo resistance to tamoxifen, and acquired resistance evolves in 40 % of patients who initially respond. Mechanisms underlying resistance development remain poorly understood and new therapeutic opportunities are urgently needed. Here, we report the generation and characterization of seven tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell lines from four parental strains.Methods: Using high throughput drug sensitivity and resistance testing (DSRT) with 279 approved and investigational oncology drugs, exome-sequencing and network analysis, we for the first time, systematically determine the drug response profiles specific to tamoxifen resistance.Results: We discovered emerging vulnerabilities towards specific drugs, such as ERK1/2-, proteasome-and BCL-family inhibitors as the cells became tamoxifen-resistant. Co-resistance to other drugs such as the survivin inhibitor YM155 and the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel also occurred.Conclusion: This study indicates that multiple molecular mechanisms dictate endocrine resistance, resulting in unexpected vulnerabilities to initially ineffective drugs, as well as in emerging co-resistances. Thus, combatting drug-resistant tumors will require patient-tailored strategies in order to identify new drug vulnerabilities, and to understand the associated co-resistance patterns.

Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 19:58