Enhanced YAP expression leads to EGFR TKI resistance in lung adenocarcinomas

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 10;8(1):271. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18527-z.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is prevalently expressed in lung adenocarcinoma cases and acts as one of the major driving oncogenes. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been used in patients with EGFR-mutant as an effective targeted therapy in lung adenocarcinoma, but drug resistance and tumor recurrence inevitably occurs. Recently, Yes-associate protein (YAP) has been reported to promote multiple cancer cell properties, such as promoting cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and drug resistance. This study investigated the roles of YAP in TKI-resistant lung adenocarcinoma. In TKI-sensitive cells, enhanced YAP expression leads to TKI resistant. Also, upregulated YAP expression and activation were detected in long-term TKI-induced resistant cells. With reduced YAP expression using shRNA or YAP inhibitors, TKI-resistant cells become TKI-sensitive. reduced xenograft tumor size in nude mice and Moreover, combined EGFR TKI and a YAP inhibitor, statin, prolonged survival among lung cancer patients analyzed by Taiwan National Health Insurance Research database. These observations revealed the importance of YAP in promoting TKI-resistance and combined YAP inhibition can be a potential therapy delaying the occurrence of TKI-resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors
  • YY1AP1 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors