Abstract PO2-06-08: Suppression of GATA2/3-FOXA1-HER3 Axis by Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors shows Antitumor Activity in Basal-like Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Bolin , Tan Congcong , Lyu Hui 
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) represents an aggressive subtype of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that exhibits a high risk of recurrence and resistance to treatment. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACis), including panobinostat and romidepsin, have obtained approval for the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies and demonstrated effectiveness in TNBC cells. We recently found that panobinostat and romidepsin potently induced TNBC cell growth inhibition and apoptosis via downregulation of HER3 through suppression of forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1), a pioneering transcription factor. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism through which HDACis suppress FOXA1, thereby inhibiting HER3 expression and its downstream signaling in FOXA1/HER3 co-expressing TNBC remains elusive. Methods: Colony formation, MTS, and LIVE/DEAD cell staining assays were used to detect cell viability. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry assays. QRT-PCR, western blots, and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the expression and activation of genes and/or proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to assess the interaction between proteins. Lentivirus vectors containing cDNA or shRNAs were used to overexpress or knockdown gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR and dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to elucidate the regulatory role of gene transcription. Results: Elevated expression of FOXA1 was observed in BLBC specimens and cell lines tested. FOXA1 was co-expressed with HER3 and transcriptionally activated the HER3 expression in BLBC cells. HER3 formed heterodimers with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), activating downstream signaling pathways in BLBC cells. Treatment with panobinostat and romidepsin resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis in BLBC cells by downregulating FOXA1 expression and inhibiting HER3 signaling. Notably, the combination of HDACis with an EGFR inhibitor (gefitinib) or an anti-HER3 antibody synergistically enhanced the anti-survival effects on BLBC cells. Additionally, gene expression profiling datasets revealed a significant positive correlation between FOXA1 expression and the transcription factors GATA-Binding Protein 2/3 (GATA2/3). Patients with high GATA2/3-FOXA1 expression exhibited worse Relapse-Free Survival (RFS) compared to those with low expressions in BLBC via Kaplan-Meier analysis. Further investigations showed that GATA2/3 directly activated FOXA1 transcription by binding to its promoter. Moreover, ectopic expression of GATA2/3 not only restored FOXA1 expression downregulated by HDACis but also attenuated the anti-survival effects of HDACis on BLBC cells. Conclusion: HDACis exhibit potent inhibitory effects on BLBC cells via downregulation of GATA2/3-mediated repression of FOXA1 gene transcription, which in turn suppresses HER3 expression and signaling. Our findings indicate that epigenetic targeting of the GATA2/3-FOXA1-HER3 axis may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the eradication of BLBC tumors. Keywords: FOXA1, GATA2/3, HER3, HDAC inhibitors, Basal-like breast cancer

Citation Format: Bolin Liu, Congcong Tan, Hui Lyu. Suppression of GATA2/3-FOXA1-HER3 Axis by Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors shows Antitumor Activity in Basal-like Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-06-08.