title: ERBB2 Overexpression Establishes ERBB3-Dependent Hypersensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to Withaferin A.
abstract: The catalytically deficient ERBB3 strongly synergizes with the receptor tyrosine kinase ERBB2, and elevated levels represent an overall risk factor for unfavorable disease outcomes in breast cancer. Although itself not a target of pan-ERBB kinase inhibitors, it contributes to resistance in ERBB2-targeted treatment regiments. The steroidal lactone Withaferin A (WA) has established broad anticancer properties through several modes of action and was shown to be effective against triple-negative breast cancers at elevated concentrations. We found that ERBB2 overexpression does render cells hypersensitive to WA. Although ERBB2 downregulation is one aspect of WA treatment at high concentrations, it is not causal for the elevated sensitivity at lower dosages. Instead, WA targets the ability of ERBB3 to amplify ERBB2 signaling. ERBB3 receptor levels, constitutive phosphorylation of both ERBB3 and ERBB2, as well as signaling through AKT are eliminated by WA treatment. By targeting ERBB2/ERBB3 as a functional unit, it is also effective in cases in which ERBB2-directed inhibitors, such as lapatinib, alone show reduced potency. Hence, WA or derivatives thereof may present a low toxicity addition to ERBB2-targeting therapeutics, especially in cases in which ERBB3 involvement is driving resistance or reduced overall sensitivity. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(11); 2750-7. ©2016 AACR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Annalise R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barnette
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.|Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Samita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andreansky
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida. RLandgraf@med.miami.edu.|Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landgraf
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054358:Withanolides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3; D054358:Withanolides; C009684:withaferin A