Proteomic profiling of triple-negative breast carcinomas in combination with a three-tier orthogonal technology approach identifies Mage-A4 as potential therapeutic target in estrogen receptor negative breast cancer

Mol Cell Proteomics. 2013 Feb;12(2):381-94. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M112.019786. Epub 2012 Nov 20.

Abstract

Breast cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, encompassing several intrinsic subtypes with various morphological and molecular features, natural history and response to therapy. Currently, molecular targeted therapies are available for estrogen receptor (ER)(-) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2)-positive breast tumors. However, a significant proportion of primary breast cancers are negative for ER, progesterone receptor (PgR), and Her2, comprising the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) group. Women with TNBC have a poor prognosis because of the aggressive nature of these tumors and current lack of suitable targeted therapies. As a consequence, the identification of novel relevant protein targets for this group of patients is of great importance. Using a systematic two dimensional (2D) gel-based proteomic profiling strategy, applied to the analysis of fresh TNBC tissue biopsies, in combination with a three-tier orthogonal technology (two dimensional PAGE/silver staining coupled with MS, two dimensional Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry) approach, we aimed to identify targetable protein markers that were present in a significant fraction of samples and that could define therapy-amenable sub-groups of TNBCs. We present here our results, including a large cumulative database of proteins based on the analysis of 78 TNBCs, and the identification and validation of one specific protein, Mage-A4, which was expressed in a significant fraction of TNBC and Her2-positive/ER negative lesions. The high level expression of Mage-A4 in the tumors studied allowed the detection of the protein in the tumor interstitial fluids as well as in sera. The existence of immunotherapeutics approaches specifically targeting this protein, or Mage-A protein family members, and the fact that we were able to detect its presence in serum suggest novel management options for TNBC and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive/estrogen receptor negative patients bearing Mage-A4 positive tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / blood*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Proteome / chemistry
  • Proteome / genetics
  • Proteome / metabolism*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / deficiency
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Estrogen / deficiency
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics
  • Receptors, Progesterone / deficiency
  • Receptors, Progesterone / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MAGEA4 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteome
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2