Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is found at low levels on nontransformed adult breast epithelial cells but is frequently overexpressed on aggressive breast cancer cells. Recent studies have documented an inverse relationship between EphA2 and estrogen receptor expression in breast cancer cell lines. In our present study, we demonstrate that overexpression of EphA2 decreases estrogen dependence as defined using both in vitro and in vivo criteria. The EphA2-transfected cells demonstrate increased growth in vitro and form larger and more aggressive tumors in vivo. EphA2 overexpression also decreases the ability of tamoxifen to inhibit breast cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis. These effects of EphA2 overexpression can be overcome by antibody-based targeting of EphA2. In particular, certain EphA2 antibodies can resensitize EphA2-overexpressing breast tumor cells to tamoxifen. These results have important implications for understanding the molecular basis underlying estrogen dependence and provide further evidence that EphA2 may provide a much-needed therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
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Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
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Animals
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology*
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
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Estradiol / pharmacology
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Estrogen Receptor Modulators / pharmacology*
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Estrogens*
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Female
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Genes, Reporter
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Humans
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Neoplasm Invasiveness
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Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
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Neoplasm Transplantation
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Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
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Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / pathology*
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Receptor, EphA2 / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptor, EphA2 / genetics
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Receptor, EphA2 / immunology
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Receptor, EphA2 / physiology*
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Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
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Stress, Physiological
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Tamoxifen / pharmacology*
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Tumor Cells, Cultured / metabolism
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Tumor Cells, Cultured / pathology
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
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Estrogen Receptor Modulators
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Estrogens
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Neoplasm Proteins
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Receptors, Estrogen
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Tamoxifen
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Estradiol
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Receptor, EphA2