Stem cell property epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a core transcriptional network for predicting cetuximab (Erbitux™) efficacy in KRAS wild-type tumor cells

J Cell Biochem. 2011 Jan;112(1):10-29. doi: 10.1002/jcb.22952.

Abstract

Beyond a well-recognized effect of KRAS mutations in determining de novo inefficacy of cetuximab (CTX) in metastatic colorectal cancer, we urgently need a biomarker signature for predicting CTX efficacy in KRAS wild-type (WT) tumors. CTX-adapted EGFR gene-amplified KRAS WT tumor cell populations were induced by stepwise-chronic exposure of A431 epidermoid cancer cells to CTX. Genome-wide analyses of 44K Agilent's whole human arrays were bioinformatically evaluated by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA)-based screening of the KEGG pathway database. Molecular functioning of CTX was found to depend on: (i) The occurrence of a positive feedback loop on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activation driven by genes coding for EGFR ligands (e.g., amphiregulin); (ii) the lack of a negative feedback on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation regulated by dual-specificity phosphatases (e.g., DUSP6) and; (iii) the transcriptional status of gene pathways controlling the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reversal (MET) program (actin cytoskeleton and cell-cell communication-e.g., keratins-focal adhesion signaling-e.g., integrins-and EMT-inducing cytokines - e.g., transforming growth factor-β). Quantitative real-time PCR, high-content immunostaining, and flow-cytometry analyses confirmed that CTX efficacy depends on its ability to promote: (i) Stronger cell-cell contacts by up-regulating the expression of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and occludin; (ii) down-regulation of the epithelial transcriptional repressors Zeb, Snail, and Slug accompanied by restoration of cortical F-actin; and (iii) complete prevention of the CD44(pos)/CD24(neg/low) mesenchymal immunophenotype. The impact of EGFR ligands/MAPK phosphatases gene transcripts in predicting CTX efficacy in KRAS WT tumors may be tightly linked with the ability of CTX to concurrently reverse the EMT status, a pivotal property of migrating cancer stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • CD24 Antigen / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cetuximab
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / genetics*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CD24 Antigen
  • CD24 protein, human
  • CD44 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins
  • Cetuximab