Targeting 17q23 amplicon to overcome the resistance to anti-HER2 therapy in HER2+ breast cancer

Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 9;9(1):4718. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07264-0.

Abstract

Chromosome 17q23 amplification occurs in ~11% of human breast cancers. Enriched in HER2+ breast cancers, the 17q23 amplification is significantly correlated with poor clinical outcomes. In addition to the previously identified oncogene WIP1, we uncover an oncogenic microRNA gene, MIR21, in a majority of the WIP1-containing 17q23 amplicons. The 17q23 amplification results in aberrant expression of WIP1 and miR-21, which not only promotes breast tumorigenesis, but also leads to resistance to anti-HER2 therapies. Inhibiting WIP1 and miR-21 selectively inhibits the proliferation, survival and tumorigenic potential of the HER2+ breast cancer cells harboring 17q23 amplification. To overcome the resistance of trastuzumab-based therapies in vivo, we develop pH-sensitive nanoparticles for specific co-delivery of the WIP1 and miR-21 inhibitors into HER2+ breast tumors, leading to a profound reduction of tumor growth. These results demonstrate the great potential of the combined treatment of WIP1 and miR-21 inhibitors for the trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ breast cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / genetics*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C / genetics
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Trastuzumab / pharmacology
  • Trastuzumab / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MIRN21 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • PPM1D protein, human
  • Protein Phosphatase 2C
  • Ddx5 protein, human
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Trastuzumab