Anti-tumor activity of BET inhibitors in androgen-receptor-expressing triple-negative breast cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 16;9(1):13305. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49366-9.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease comprising several subtypes. Androgen-receptor (AR) signaling has been targeted by several investigational agents in luminal AR subtype TNBCs. Bromodomain (BRD) and extra-terminal motif (BET) protein inhibitors have been shown to attenuate AR signaling in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and to overcome enzalutamide resistance. We demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects of the BET inhibitor JQ1 against AR-positive TNBC cell lines using cell viability and cell cycle analysis. To reveal the mechanisms of JQ1 effects, multiplex gene expression analysis and immunoblotting assays were used. We examined in vivo effects of JQ1 in a xenograft model of AR expressing TNBC. JQ1 exhibited its anti-proliferative activity by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. JQ1 activity was not mediated by MYC downregulation. Instead, JQ1 blocked the interactions among the ATPase-family AAA-domain-containing 2 protein (ATAD2), BRD2, BRD4, and AR; effectively suppressing the expression of AR associated targets. In addition, JQ1 showed significant anti-tumor activity in vivo in TNBC xenograft mouse models as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-AR therapy. Taken together, our results showed that the BET inhibitor JQ1 is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of AR-positive TNBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Azepines / metabolism
  • Azepines / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Triazoles / metabolism
  • Triazoles / pharmacology*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • (+)-JQ1 compound
  • AR protein, human
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Azepines
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triazoles