Jarlath C. Bolger

Global characterization of the SRC-1 transcriptome identifies ADAM22 as an ER-independent mediator of endocrine resistant breast cancer

The development of breast cancer resistance to endocrine therapy results from an increase in cellular plasticity that permits the emergence of a hormone-independent tumor. The steroid coactivator protein SRC-1, through interactions with developmental proteins and other nonsteroidal transcription factors, drives this tumor adaptability. In this discovery study, we identified ADAM22, a non-protease member of the ADAM family of disintegrins, as a direct estrogen receptor (ER)-independent target of SRC-1. We confirmed SRC-1 as a regulator of ADAM22 by molecular, cellular, and in vivo studies. ADAM22 functioned in cellular migration and differentiation, and its levels were increased in endocrine resistant-tumors compared with endocrine-sensitive tumors in mouse xenograft models of human breast cancer. Clinically, ADAM22 was found to serve as an independent predictor of poor disease-free survival. Taken together, our findings suggest that SRC-1 switches steroid-responsive tumors to a steroid-resistant state in which the SRC-1 target gene ADAM22 has a critical role, suggesting this molecule as a prognostic and therapeutic drug target that could help improve the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer.

Global Gene Repression by the Steroid Receptor Coactivator SRC-1 Promotes Oncogenesis

Transcriptional control is the major determinant of cell fate. The steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 enhances the activity of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer cells, where it confers cell survival benefits. Here, we report that a global analysis of SRC-1 target genes suggested that SRC-1 also mediates transcriptional repression in breast cancer cells. Combined SRC-1 and HOXC11 ChIPseq analysis identified the differentiation marker, CD24, and the apoptotic protein, PAWR, as direct SRC-1/HOXC11 suppression targets. Reduced expression of both CD24 and PAWR was associated with disease progression in patients with breast cancer, and their expression was suppressed in metastatic tissues. Investigations in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cell lines and SRC-1(-/-)/PyMT mice confirmed a role for SRC-1 and HOXC11 in downregulation of CD24 and PAWR. Through bioinformatic analysis and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, we identified AP1 proteins and Jumonji domain containing 2C (JMD2C/KDM4C), respectively, as members of the SRC-1 interactome responsible for transcriptional repression. Our findings deepen the understanding of how SRC-1 controls transcription in breast cancers.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Sequential Tumors from Breast Cancer Patients Provides a Global View of Metastatic Expression Changes Following Endocrine Therapy

Purpose: Disease recurrence is a common problem in breast cancer and yet the mechanisms enabling tumor cells to evade therapy and colonize distant organs remain unclear. We sought to characterize global expression changes occurring with metastatic disease progression in the endocrine-resistant setting. Experimental Design: Here, for the first time, RNAsequencing has been performed on matched primary, nodal, and liver metastatic tumors from tamoxifen-treated patients following disease progression. Expression of genes commonly elevated in the metastases of sequenced patients was subsequently examined in an extended matched patient cohort with metastatic disease from multiple sites. The impact of tamoxifen treatment on endocrine-resistant tumors in vivo was investigated in a xenograft model. Results: The extent of patient heterogeneity at the gene level was striking. Less than 3% of the genes differentially expressed between sequential tumors were common to all patients. Larger divergence was observed between primary and liver tumors than between primary and nodal tumors, reflecting both the latency to disease progression and the genetic impact of intervening therapy. Furthermore, an endocrine-resistant in vivo mouse model demonstrated that tamoxifen treatment has the potential to drive disease progression and establish distant metastatic disease. Common functional pathways altered during metastatic, endocrine-resistant progression included extracellular matrix receptor interactions and focal adhesions. Conclusions: This novel global analysis highlights the influence of primary tumor biology in determining the transcriptomic profile of metastatic tumors, as well as the need for adaptations in cell–cell communications to facilitate successful tumor cell colonization of distant host organs. Clin Cancer Res; 21(23); 5371–9. ©2015 AACR.

ADAM22 as a prognostic and therapeutic drug target in the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer.

The development of breast cancer resistance to endocrine therapies may result from an increase in cellular plasticity, permitting the emergence of a hormone-independent tumor. ADAM proteins are multidomain transmembrane proteins that have a diverse array of functions in both natural physiology and disease. A number of ADAM proteins have been implicated in the occurrence of breast cancer, including ADAM 9, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM17, ADAM22, and ADAM28. ADAM22 expression is driven by the coactivator protein SRC-1 in response to tamoxifen treatment in the resistant setting. ADAM22 is an ER-independent predictor of disease-free survival. LGI1 is a neuropeptide that binds ADAM22 in the nervous system. In addition to being a ligand for ADAM11, ADAM22, and ADAM23, LGI1 may play a role as a tumor suppressor. Furthermore, LGI1 may act to reduce cell migration and may impair proliferation. Therapies based on LGI1 may provide a building block for future therapies in ADAM22-positive breast cancer.

Abstract P3-05-02: Global characterisation of the SRC-1 transcriptome and rational drug design results in the identification of a novel peptide targeting ADAM22 in endocrine resistance

In spite of therapeutic advances, up to 25% of luminal breast cancers will eventually develop resistance to endocrine therapy and develop metastatic disease. The underlying mechanism causing ER-positive, steroid responsive tumours to develop a resistant, metastatic phenotype remains unresolved. Previous work from our group and others has identified the P160 protein SRC-1 as a significant predictor of recurrence on endocrine therapy. The purpose of this study is to further examine downstream SRC-1 targets in the context of endocrine resistant breast cancer. We adopted a global approach to define the transcriptional targets of SRC-1. SRC-1 ChIP sequencing in endocrine resistant luminal B breast cancer cells was combined with SRC-1 gene expression array analysis. This identified a number of pathways significantly elevated following tamoxifen treatment, including a number involved in cellular adhesion. From these pathways, A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase-22 (ADAM22) was selected for further study. Knockout studies confirmed ADAM22 as a tamoxifen dependent SRC-1 target gene. Functional assays including migration, three dimensional cell culture and adhesion independence growth assays confirmed a role for ADAM22 in promoting a migratory, aggressive phenotype. Samples from two separate TMAs comprising over 1,000 patients confirmed that ADAM22 is associated with poor disease free survival in breast cancer patients. LGI1 is a naturally occurring neuropeptide which acts on an inhibitory manner on ADAM22 in the central nervous system. Using molecular modelling, a novel peptide mimetic targeting the disintegrin binding domain of ADAM22 was designed. Treatment with this peptide mimetic restored endocrine resistant cells to a less aggressive, sensitive phenotype, similar to the effect seen with knockdown of ADAM22. Moreover in an endocrine resistant xenograft model, treatment with the LGI1 mimetic significantly reduced primary and metastatic tumour burden in tamoxifen treated animals. We have used next-generation sequencing techniques to identify a novel therapeutic target in endocrine resistant, metastatic breast cancer. Rational drug design has been used to manufacture a therapeutic peptide against ADAM22. A combination of in vitro, in vivo and patient studies has confirmed a role for ADAM22 in metastatic breast cancer. Our novel peptide mimetic may form a future basis for targeting ADAM22 in endocrine resistant disease. Citation Format: Jarlath C Bolger, Damian McCartan, Damir Vareslija, Ailis Fagan, Christopher Byrne, Marie McIlroy, Peadar O9Gaora, Arnold D Hill, Leonie S Young. Global characterisation of the SRC-1 transcriptome and rational drug design results in the identification of a novel peptide targeting ADAM22 in endocrine resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-05-02.

Abstract P2-05-13: Transcriptomic profiling of patient sequential tumours provides cutting edge view of global metastatic expression changes following endocrine therapy

Disease recurrence is a common problem in breast cancer and yet the mechanisms enabling tumour cells to evade therapy and colonise distant organs remain unclear. Here, for the first time, RNAsequencing has been performed on matched primary, nodal and liver metastatic tumours from three tamoxifen-treated patients following metastatic disease progression. Despite all primary tumours being of a luminal subtype and all cancers metastasising to the liver, the extent of patient heterogeneity at the gene level was striking. Less than 3% of the genes differentially expressed between sequential tumours were common to all patients. Larger divergence was observed between primary and liver tumours than between primary and nodal tumours, reflecting both the latency time to disease progression and the genetic impact of endocrine therapy. Furthermore, a xenograft model demonstrated the ability of tamoxifen to drive disease progression and establish distant metastatic disease in the endocrine resistant setting. Common functional pathways altered during metastatic, endocrine-resistant progression included ECM receptor interactions and focal adhesions. This novel global analysis highlights the influence of primary tumour biology in determining the transcriptomic profile of metastatic tumours, as well as the need for adaptations in cell-cell communications in order for tumour cells to successfully colonise distant host organs. Citation Format: Jean McBryan, Ailis Fagan, Damian McCartan, Jarlath C Bolger, Fiona T Bane, Christopher Byrne, Marie McIlroy, Arnold D Hill, Leonie S Young. Transcriptomic profiling of patient sequential tumours provides cutting edge view of global metastatic expression changes following endocrine therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-13.