| 1. |
- Braekeveldt, Noémie, et al.
(author)
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Neuroblastoma patient-derived orthotopic xenografts reflect the microenvironmental hallmarks of aggressive patient tumours
- 2016
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In: Cancer Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-7980 .- 0304-3835. ; 375:2, s. 384-389
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Treatment of high-risk childhood neuroblastoma is a clinical challenge hampered by a lack of reliable neuroblastoma mouse models for preclinical drug testing. We have previously established invasive and metastasising patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDXs) from high-risk neuroblastomas that retained the genotypes and phenotypes of patient tumours. Given the important role of the tumour microenvironment in tumour progression, metastasis, and treatment responses, here we analysed the tumour microenvironment of five neuroblastoma PDXs in detail. The PDXs resembled their parent tumours and retained important stromal hallmarks of aggressive lesions including rich blood and lymphatic vascularisation, pericyte coverage, high numbers of cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumour-associated macrophages, and extracellular matrix components. Patient-derived tumour endothelial cells occasionally formed blood vessels in PDXs; however, tumour stroma was, overall, of murine origin. Lymphoid cells and lymphatic endothelial cells were found in athymic nude mice but not in NSG mice; thus, the choice of mouse strain dictates tumour microenvironmental components. The murine tumour microenvironment of orthotopic neuroblastoma PDXs reflects important hallmarks of aggressive and metastatic clinical neuroblastomas. Neuroblastoma PDXs are clinically relevant models for preclinical drug testing.
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| 2. |
- Ekberg, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Expression of cyclin A1 and cell cycle proteins in hematopoietic cells and acute myeloid leukemia and links to patient outcome
- 2005
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In: European Journal of Haematology. - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0902-4441 .- 1600-0609. ; 75:2, s. 106-115
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abnormal expression of several key regulators essential for G1/S transitions has been implicated in tumorigenesis. A critical role of cyclin A1 in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has previously been demonstrated in transgenic mice. Our present study focused on the expression and prognostic significance of cyclin A1 and a panel of cell cycle regulatory proteins including cyclin A2, cyclin B1, cyclin E, CDK1, CDK2, p21 and p27 in bone marrow samples from 40 patients with AML. Freshly isolated CD34+ hematopoietic cells and bone marrow samples from 10 healthy donors were also assessed for cell type- and subcellular-specific expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins. The level of cyclin A1 expression was the only factor that showed a significant correlation with patient outcome. In log-rank test stratified by levels of cyclin A1 expression, patients with high levels of cyclin A1 had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.012) compared to those with low levels. Further, patients with high levels of cyclin A1 had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.028). Multivariate analysis indicated that cyclin A1 protein expression was an independent prognostic factor for predicting DFS (P = 0.035) and OS (P = 0.045). No correlation between cyclin A1 expression and age was found. However, expression of cyclin A2, cyclin B1, cyclin E, CDK1, CDK2, p21 and p27 did not show prognostic significance in these AML patients.
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| 3. |
- Ekberg, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Regulation of the cyclin A1 protein is associated with its differential subcellular localization in hematopoietic and leukemic cells
- 2004
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In: Oncogene. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 23:56, s. 9082-9089
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An important role of the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin A1 in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was previously demonstrated in a transgenic mouse model. We have now turned our attention to study specific aspects of the activity and subcellular distribution of cyclin A1 using bone marrow samples from normal donors and patients with AML, as well as leukemic cell lines. We show that the localization of cyclin A1 in normal hematopoietic cells is nuclear, whereas in leukemic cells from AML patients and cell lines, it is predominantly cytoplasmic. In leukemic cell lines treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), cyclin A1 localized to the nucleus. Further, there was a direct interaction between cyclin A1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, as well as a major ATRA receptor, RARalpha, in ATRA-treated cells but not in untreated leukemic cells. Our results indicate that the altered intracellular distribution of cyclin A1 in leukemic cells correlates with the status of the leukemic phenotype.
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| 4. |
- Holm, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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Cyclin A1 expression and associations with disease characteristics in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- 2006
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In: Leukemia Research. - : Elsevier. - 0145-2126 .- 1873-5835. ; 30:3, s. 254-261
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A critical cell cycle regulatory protein, cyclin A1, has been implicated in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we have examined the expression and clinical significance of cyclin A1 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Cyclin A1 was highly expressed in lymphoblastic leukemic cell lines and in 22 of 30 ALL patients (73%). Cyclin A1 expression correlated with patient age (P=0.006), but not with cytogenetic abnormalities. Patients with high levels of cyclin A1 had poorer event-free survival (57.9%) compared to patients with lower levels (75%).
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| 5. |
- Kok, Marleen, et al.
(author)
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PKA-induced phosphorylation of ER alpha at serine 305 and high PAK1 levels is associated with sensitivity to tamoxifen in ER-positive breast cancer
- 2011
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In: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-7217 .- 0167-6806. ; 125:1, s. 1-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phosphorylation of estrogen receptor alpha at serine 305 (ER alpha S305-P) by protein kinase A (PKA) or p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) has experimentally been associated with tamoxifen sensitivity. Here, we investigated the clinical application of this knowledge to predict tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer patients. Using immunohistochemistry, a score including PAK1 and co-expression of PKA and ER alpha S305-P (PKA/ER alpha S305-P) was developed on a training set consisting of 103 patients treated with tamoxifen for metastatic disease, and validated on 231 patients randomized between adjuvant tamoxifen or no treatment. In the training set, PAK1 levels were associated with tumor progression after tamoxifen (HR 1.57, 95% CI 0.99-2.48), as was co-expression of PKA and ER alpha S305-P (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.14-3.52). In the validation set, a significant tamoxifen benefit was found among the 73% patients negative for PAK1 and PKA/ER alpha S305-P (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.87), while others (27%) were likely to have no benefit from tamoxifen (HR 0.88, 95% 0.42-1.82). The test for interaction showed a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between groups defined by PAK1 and PKA/ER alpha S305-P (P = 0.037). Elevated PAK1 and PKA/ER alpha S305-P appeared to influence tamoxifen sensitivity. Both PAK1 and PKA/ER alpha S305-P levels were associated with sensitivity to tamoxifen in breast tumors and the combination of these variables should be considered in predicting tamoxifen benefit.
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| 6. |
- Wigerup, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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Association between Pak1 expression and subcellular localization and tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients.
- 2006
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In: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2105 .- 0027-8874. ; 98:10, s. 671-680
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) phosphorylates many proteins in both normal and transformed cells. Its ability to phosphorylate and thereby activate the estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) potentially limits the effectiveness of antiestrogen treatment in breast cancer. Here we studied associations between Pak1 expression and subcellular localization in tumor cells and tamoxifen resistance. Methods: Pak1 protein expression was evaluated in 403 primary breast tumors from premenopausal patients who had been randomly assigned to 2 years of adjuvant tamoxifen or no treatment. Tamoxifen response was evaluated by comparing recurrence-free survival in relation to Pak1 and ER alpha expression in untreated versus tamoxifen-treated patients. Tamoxifen responsiveness of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells that inducibly expressed constitutively active Pak1 or that transiently overexpressed wild-type Pak1 (Wt-Pak1) or Pak1 that lacked functional nuclear localization signals (Pak1 Delta NLS) was evaluated by analyzing cyclin D1 promoter activation and protein levels as markers for ER alpha activation. The response to tamoxifen in relation to Pak1 expression was analyzed in naturally tamoxifen-resistant Ishikawa human endometrial cancer cells. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Among patients who had ER alpha-positive tumors with low Pak1 expression, those treated with tamoxifen had better recurrence-free survival than those who received no treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.502, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.331 to 0.762; P = .001) whereas there was no difference in recurrence-free survival between treatment groups for patients whose tumors had high cytoplasmic (HR = 0.893, 95% CI = 0.420 to 1.901; P = .769) or any nuclear Pak1 expression (HR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.405 to 2.250; P = .916). In MCF-7 cells, overexpression of Wt-Pak1, but not of Pak1 Delta NLS, compromised tamoxifen response by stimulating cyclin D1 expression. Treatment of Ishikawa cells with tamoxifen led to an increase in the amount of nuclear Pak1 and Pak1 kinase activity, suggesting that tamoxifen, to some extent, regulates Pak1 expression. Conclusions: Our data support a role for Pak1, particular Pak1 localized to the nucleus, in ER alpha signaling and in tamoxifen resistance.
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| 7. |
- Aaltonen, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Laser capture microdissection (LCM) and whole genome amplification (WGA) of DNA from normal breast tissue - optimization for genome wide array analyses.
- 2011
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In: BMC Research Notes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1756-0500. ; 4, s. 69-69
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Laser capture microdissection (LCM) can be applied to tissues where cells of interest are distinguishable from surrounding cell populations. Here, we have optimized LCM for fresh frozen normal breast tissue where large amounts of fat can cause problems during microdissection. Since the amount of DNA needed for genome wide analyses, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, is often greater than what can be obtained from the dissected tissue, we have compared three different whole genome amplification (WGA) kits for amplification of DNA from LCM material. In addition, the genome wide profiling methods commonly used today require extremely high DNA quality compared to PCR based techniques and DNA quality is thus critical for successful downstream analyses. Findings We found that by using FrameSlides without glass backing for LCM and treating the slides with acetone after staining, the problems caused by excessive fat could be significantly decreased. The amount of DNA obtained after extraction from LCM tissue was not sufficient for direct SNP array analysis in our material. However, the two WGA kits based on Phi29 polymerase technology (Repli-g® (Qiagen) and GenomiPhi (GE Healthcare)) gave relatively long amplification products, and amplified DNA from Repli-g® gave call rates in the subsequent SNP analysis close to those from non-amplified DNA. Furthermore, the quality of the input DNA for WGA was found to be essential for successful SNP array results and initial DNA fragmentation problems could be reduced by switching from a regular halogen lamp to a VIS-LED lamp during LCM. Conclusions LCM must be optimized to work satisfactorily in difficult tissues. We describe a work flow for fresh frozen normal breast tissue where fat is inclined to cause problems if sample treatment is not adapted to this tissue. We also show that the Phi29-based Repli-g® WGA kit (Qiagen) is a feasible approach to amplify DNA of high quality prior to genome wide analyses such as SNP profiling.
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| 8. |
- Alam, Muhammad Wasi, et al.
(author)
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HIF2α contributes to antiestrogen resistance via positive bilateral crosstalk with EGFR in breast cancer cells.
- 2016
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In: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 7:10, s. 50-11238
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The majority of breast cancers express estrogen receptor α (ERα), and most patients with ERα-positive breast cancer benefit from antiestrogen therapy. The ERα-modulator tamoxifen and ERα-downregulator fulvestrant are commonly employed antiestrogens. Antiestrogen resistance remains a clinical challenge, with few effective treatments available for patients with antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer. Hypoxia, which is intrinsic to most tumors, promotes aggressive disease, with the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF1 and HIF2 regulating cellular responses to hypoxia. Here, we show that the ERα-expressing breast cancer cells MCF-7, CAMA-1, and T47D are less sensitive to antiestrogens when hypoxic. Furthermore, protein and mRNA levels of HIF2α/HIF2A were increased in a panel of antiestrogen-resistant cells, and antiestrogen-exposure further increased HIF2α expression. Ectopic expression of HIF2α in MCF-7 cells significantly decreased sensitivity to antiestrogens, further implicating HIF2α in antiestrogen resistance. EGFR is known to contribute to antiestrogen resistance: we further show that HIF2α drives hypoxic induction of EGFR and that EGFR induces HIF2α expression. Downregulation or inhibition of EGFR led to decreased HIF2α levels. This positive and bilateral HIF2-EGFR regulatory crosstalk promotes antiestrogen resistance and, where intrinsic hypoxic resistance exists, therapy itself may exacerbate the problem. Finally, inhibition of HIFs by FM19G11 restores antiestrogen sensitivity in resistant cells. Targeting HIF2 may be useful for counteracting antiestrogen resistance in the clinic.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Borgquist, Signe, et al.
(author)
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Oestrogen receptors alpha and beta show different associations to clinicopathological parameters and their co-expression might predict a better response to endocrine treatment in breast cancer.
- 2008
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In: Journal of Clinical Pathology. - : BMJ. - 1472-4146 .- 0021-9746. ; 61:2, s. 197-202
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: The majority of all breast cancers are hormone responsive, traditionally defined by the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha and/or progesterone receptors. In contrast to ERalpha, the clinical significance of the relatively recently identified ERbeta is still unclear. This study aimed to define the relationship between ERbeta and clinicopathological parameters in a mixed cohort of breast cancer and, furthermore, to investigate the impact of ERbeta expression on disease outcome. METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of ERalpha and ERbeta was analysed in tissue microarrays containing a total number of 512 tumours with all incident breast cancers diagnosed at the Malmö University Hospital between 1988 and 1992. RESULTS: 78% of the tumours were ERalpha positive and 50% were ERbeta positive. ERbeta correlated positively with ERalpha (p = 0.001). In contrast to ERalpha, ERbeta was not associated with any important clinicopathological variables. Furthermore, no overall prognostic significance could be demonstrated for ERbeta. In the ERalpha-positive subgroup, however, a low expression of ERbeta correlated with a decreased disease-free survival in patients receiving endocrine treatment (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Although interrelated, ERalpha and ERbeta seem to be differentially associated to clinicopathological parameters, and this would support the fact that they might have different functions in vivo. Furthermore, ERbeta might be a predictive marker of response to endocrine therapy, although this needs to be confirmed in additional studies, preferably randomised trials.
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