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Targeting Unique Ligand Binding Domain Structural Features Downregulates DKK1 in Y537S ESR1 Mutant Breast Cancer
K S Young1, G R Hancock1, E Fink1
1Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 50153.
A novel selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), T6I-29, shows anti-proliferative effects in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-mutated breast cancer. It downregulates DKK1, a potential therapeutic target in endocrine-resistant ER+ breast cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Endocrine therapy resistance is a major challenge in breast cancer treatment.
- Mutations in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), particularly Y537S, drive resistance to selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and degraders (SERDs).
- Existing therapies often have non-durable responses in patients with ERα mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate the activities of the novel SERM, T6I-29, against breast cancer cells harboring the Y537S ERα mutation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying T6I-29's efficacy.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets in endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Structural-biochemical assays
- In vitro cell-based assays
- In vivo preclinical models
- RNA sequencing
Main Results:
- T6I-29 demonstrates significant anti-proliferative activity in Y537S ERα breast cancer cells.
- T6I-29 treatment leads to neomorphic downregulation of DKK1, a glycoprotein with oncogenic roles.
- DKK1 is found to be significantly enriched in the plasma of ER+ breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The novel SERM T6I-29 exhibits potent anti-cancer activity against Y537S ERα mutated breast cancer.
- DKK1 represents a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in endocrine-resistant ER+ breast cancer.
- This study highlights the potential of novel SERMs and SERDs in identifying new therapeutic strategies for endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
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