SLFN12 Expression Significantly Effects the Response to Chemotherapy Drugs in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Schlafen12 (SLFN12) is an intermediate human Schlafen protein shown to correlate with survivability in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). SLFN12 causes differential expressions of significant cancer genes, but how they change in response to chemotherapy remains unknown. Our aim is to identify the effect of chemotherapy on genes that improve TNBC outcomes and other SLFN family members following SLFN12 knockout or overexpression.

We overexpressed SLFN12 using a lentiviral vector and knocked out SLFN12 (AdvShSLFN12) using a hairpin adenovirus in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. Cells were treated with camptothecin, paclitaxel, zoledronic acid, or carboplatin to evaluate the SLFN12 signature cancer genes associated with improved TNBC outcomes using qPCR. Additionally, cells were treated alone and in combination with AdvShSLFN12, IFN-α2 (known SLFN12 stimulator), carboplatin, and paclitaxel. After treatment, the viable cell numbers were analyzed utilizing a colorimetric crystal violet assay for cell viability.

The SLFN family and SLFN12 cancer signature gene mRNA expressions were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Treating SLFN12-overexpressing TNBC cells with chemotherapy agents resulted in the differential expressions of eight cancer-related genes. Notably, GJB3 was downregulated following treatment with each chemotherapeutic drug. Inducing SLFN12 with IFN-α2 resulted in decreased cell viability and increased SLFN12 mRNA levels following treatment with paclitaxel or carboplatin.

These results suggest that SLFN12 overexpression significantly affects the expressions of genes driving phenotypic changes in response to chemotherapy and influences additional SLFN family members following IFN-α2 treatment. This may contribute to improving the survival of patients with SLFN12 overexpression. Additionally, patient SLFN12 levels can be used as a factor when pursuing personalized chemotherapy treatments.