t-Darpp Promotes Enhanced EGFR Activation and New Drug Synergies in Her2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 29;10(6):e0132267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132267. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Trastuzumab has led to improved survival rates of HER2+ breast cancer patients. However, acquired resistance remains a problem in the majority of cases. t-Darpp is over-expressed in trastuzumab-resistant cell lines and its over-expression is sufficient for conferring the resistance phenotype. Although its mechanism of action is unknown, t-Darpp has been shown to increase cellular proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. We have reported that trastuzumab-resistant BT.HerR cells that over-express endogenous t-Darpp are sensitized to EGFR inhibition in the presence (but not the absence) of trastuzumab. The purpose of the current study was to determine if t-Darpp might modulate sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors in trastuzumab-resistant cells. Using EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors AG1478, gefitinib and erlotinib, we found that trastuzumab-resistant SK.HerR cells were sensitized to EGFR inhibition, compared to SK-Br-3 controls, even in the absence of trastuzumab. t-Darpp knock-down in SK.HerR cells reversed their sensitivity to EGFR inhibition. Increased EGFR sensitivity was also noted in SK.tDp cells that stably over-express t-Darpp. High levels of synergy between trastuzumab and the EGFR inhibitors were observed in all cell lines with high t-Darpp expression. These cells also demonstrated more robust activation of EGFR signaling and showed greater EGFR stability than parental cells. The T75A phosphorylation mutant of t-Darpp did not confer sensitivity to EGFR inhibition nor activation of EGFR signaling. The over-expression of t-Darpp might facilitate enhanced EGFR signaling as part of the trastuzumab resistance phenotype. This study suggests that the presence of t-Darpp in HER2+ cancers might predict the enhanced response to dual HER2/EGFR targeting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32 / genetics
  • Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32 / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gefitinib
  • Humans
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Trastuzumab / pharmacology
  • Tyrphostins / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32
  • Quinazolines
  • Tyrphostins
  • RTKI cpd
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab
  • Gefitinib