Uptake and metabolism of olive oil polyphenols in human breast cancer cells using nano-liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization–time of flight-mass spectrometry

Polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a main component of the Mediterranean diet, have demonstrated repeatedly anti-tumor activity in several in vitro and in vivo studies. However, little is known about the efficiency of the absorption process and metabolic conversion of these compounds at cellular level. In this study, a nano liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (nanoLC–ESI–TOF MS) method was developed to study the cellular uptake and metabolism of olive oil phenols in JIMT-1 human breast cancer cells. After incubation for different time periods with EVOO-derived phenolic extracts, culture media, cytosolic fraction and solid particles fraction were separated and analyzed. Most of the free phenols, mainly hydroxytyrosol, its secoiridoid derivatives, and the flavonoid luteolin, disappeared in the culture media in different ways and at different times. Besides, several metabolites were detected in the culture media, fact that may indicate absorption and intracellular metabolism followed by rapid cellular export. Low intracellular accumulation was observed with only traces of some compounds detected in the cytosolic and solid particles fractions. Methylated conjugates were the major metabolites detected, suggesting a catalytic action of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) in cancer cells.The authors are very grateful to Ministry of Education and Science (FPU, AP2005-4356) and Junta de Andalucia (project P09-FQM-5469, project P07-AGR-02619 and AGL 2008-05108- CO3-03/ALI). Besides, this work was supported in part by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria – FIS, Spain, Grants CP05-00090, PI06-0778 and RD06-0020-0028)

Metformin-induced preferential killing of breast cancer initiating CD44+CD24−/low cells is sufficient to overcome primary resistance to trastuzumab in HER2+ human breast cancer xenografts

Trastuzumab-refractory breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) could explain the high rate of primary resistance to single-agent trastuzumab in HER2 gene-amplified breast cancer patients. The identification of agents with strong selective toxicity for trastuzumab-resistant breast CSCs may have tremendous relevance for how HER2+ breast cancer patients should be treated. Using the human breast cancer cell line JIMT-1, which was established from the pleural metastasis of a patient who was clinically resistant to trastuzumab ab initio, we examined whether preferential killing of the putative CD44+CD24 −/low breast CSC population might be sufficient to overcome primary resistance to trastuzumab in vivo. Because recent studies have shown that the anti-diabetic biguanide metformin can exert antitumor effects by targeted killing of CSC-like cells, we explored whether metformin's ability to preferentially kill breast cancer initiating CD44+CD24 −/low cells may have the potential to sensitize JIMT-1 xenograft mouse models to trastuzumab. Upon isolation for breast cancer initiating CD44+CD24 −/low cells by employing magnetic activated cell sorting, we observed the kinetics of metformin-induced killing drastically varied among CSC and non-CSC subpopulations. Metformin's cell killing effect increased dramatically by more than 10-fold in CD44+CD24 −/low breast CSC cells compared to non-CD44+CD24 −/low immunophenotypes. While seven-weeks treatment length with trastuzumab likewise failed to reduce tumor growth of JIMT-1 xenografts, systemic treatment with metformin as single agent resulted in a significant two-fold reduction in tumor volume. When trastuzumab was combined with concurrent metformin, tumor volume decreased sharply by more than four-fold. Given that metformin-induced preferential killing of breast cancer initiating CD44+CD24 −/low subpopulations is sufficient to overcome in vivo primary resistance to trastuzumab, the incorporation of metformin into trastuzumab-based regimens may provide a valuable strategy for treatment of HER2+ breast cancer patients

IGF-1R/epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) crosstalk suppresses the erlotinib-sensitizing effect of EGFR exon 19 deletion mutations

Using non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells harboring the erlotinib-sensitizing Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) exon 19 mutation delE746-A750, we developed erlotinib-refractory derivatives in which hyperactive Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor (IGF-1R) signaling associated with enrichment in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related morphological and transcriptional features. We then explored whether an IGF-1R/EMT crosstalk was sufficient to promote erlotinib refractoriness in the absence of second-site EGFR mutations, MET and AXL hyperactivation. Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF beta 1)-induced mesenchymal trans-differentiation was sufficient to impede erlotinib functioning in the presence of drug-sensitive delE746-A750 EGFR mutation. Pharmacological blockade of IGF-1R fully prevented the TGF beta 1's ability to activate an EMT protein signature [E-cadherin low/vimentin high]. The sole presence of erlotinib was capable of rapidly activate an IGF-1R-dependent, vimentin-enriched mesenchymal-like phenotype in delE746-A750-mutated epithelial cells. Even if transient, NSCLC cells' intrinsic plasticity to undergo crosstalk between IGF-1R and EMT signaling pathways can sufficiently eliminate the erlotinib-sensitizing effect of highly prevalent EGFR mutations and suggests the urgent need for dual IGF-1R/EMT-targeting strategies to circumvent erlotinib resistance

Silibinin suppresses EMT-driven erlotinib resistance by reversing the high miR-21/low miR-200c signature in vivo

The flavolignan silibinin was studied for its ability to restore drug sensitivity to EGFR-mutant NSCLC xenografts with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-driven resistance to erlotinib. As a single agent, silibinin significantly decreased the tumor volumes of erlotinib-refractory NSCLC xenografts by approximately 50%. Furthermore, the complete abrogation of tumor growth was observed with the co-treatment of erlotinib and silibinin. Silibinin fully reversed the EMT-related high miR-21/low miR-200c microRNA signature and repressed the mesenchymal markers SNAIL, ZEB, and N-cadherin observed in erlotinib-refractory tumors. Silibinin was sufficient to fully activate a reciprocal mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in erlotinib-refractory cells and prevent the highly migratogenic phenotype of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Given that the various mechanisms of resistance to erlotinib result from EMT, regardless of the EGFR mutation status, a water-soluble, silibinin-rich milk thistle extract might be a suitable candidate therapy for upcoming clinical trials aimed at preventing or reversing NSCLC progression following erlotinib treatment

Use of a genetically engineered mouse model as a preclinical tool for HER2 breast cancer

Resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies presents a major clinical problem. Although preclinical studies have identified a number of possible mechanisms, clinical validation has been difficult. This is most likely to reflect the reliance on cell-line models that do not recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity seen in human tumours. Here, we show the utility of a genetically engineered mouse model of HER2-driven breast cancer (MMTV-NIC) to define mechanisms of resistance to the pan-HER family inhibitor AZD8931. Genetic manipulation of MMTV-NIC mice demonstrated that loss of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) conferred de novo resistance to AZD8931, and a tumour fragment transplantation model was established to assess mechanisms of acquired resistance. Using this approach, 50% of tumours developed resistance to AZD8931. Analysis of the resistant tumours showed two distinct patterns of resistance: tumours in which reduced membranous HER2 expression was associated with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and resistant tumours that retained HER2 expression and an epithelial morphology. The plasticity of the EMT phenotype was demonstrated upon re-implantation of resistant tumours that then showed a mixed epithelial and mesenchymal phenotype. Further AZD8931 treatment resulted in the generation of secondary resistant tumours that again had either undergone EMT or retained their original epithelial morphology. The data provide a strong rationale for basing therapeutic decisions on the biology of the individual resistant tumour, which can be very different from that of the primary tumour and will be specific to individual patients