ERK1/2 inhibition increases antiestrogen treatment efficacy by interfering with hypoxia-induced downregulation of ERalpha: a combination therapy potentially targeting hypoxic and dormant tumor cells.

• Tumor hypoxia is associated with cancer invasiveness, metastasis and treatment failure. Recent data suggest that the major target for endocrine treatment in breast cancer, ER alpha, is downregulated during hypoxia, but the mechanism behind this remains unknown. MAPK signaling as well as ER alpha regulation has earlier been independently linked to hypoxia and we now demonstrate HIF-1 alpha and ERK1/2-activation in vivo towards the necrotic zone in DCIS of the breast, parallel with ER alpha downregulation. Hypoxia further caused transcriptional downregulation of ER alpha via activation of ERK1/2 in cell lines and, importantly, MEK1/2 inhibitors (U0126 or PD184352) or ERK1/2 suppression by siRNA partially restored the ERa expression. U0126 combined with tamoxifen accordingly produced an increased efficacy of the anti-estrogens during hypoxia. Base don these findings, we suggest a promising novel therapy for ER alpha-positive breast cancer where a combination of endocrine treatment and ERK1/2 inhibitors may increase treatment response by improved targeting of dormant hypoxic tumor cells.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

hypoxia

MAPK

breast cancer

ERK1/2

tamoxifen

ER alpha

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)