Abstract P6-08-01: Endothelial-Like Phenotype of Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma Cells and Implications for New Molecular Targets
Authors: Tagliabue E , Plantamura I , Iorio MV , Dugnani E , Tortoreto M , Ghirelli C , Barajon I , Arnaboldi F , Triulzi T , Casalini P , Agresti R , Campiglio M , Balsari A. 
Published: April 2011

Background. Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs) still represent a question mark in breast cancer biology and a primary issue in clinics. A promising approach for an efficient targeted treatment of TNBCs seems to be represented by antiangiogenic therapies.

Methods. Effects of different compounds on proliferation of TNBC was evaluated in vivo and in vitro respectively by xenograft tumor volume analysis and SRB assay. Vasculogenic Mimicry (VM) properties were evaluated in vitro and in vivo respectively by tube formation assay and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Results. Treatment of triple negative (TN) MDA-MB-231 xenografts with Sunitinib induced tumor regression, versus only a slight growth inhibition in tumors derived from MCF7 luminal cell line, whereas Bevacizumab determined only a modest decrease in tumor growth in both models. Accordingly, the efficacy of Sunitinib in blocking in vitro growth of breast cancer cell lines was higher in MDA-MB-231 cells in comparison with MCF7 cells (IC50 at 72h in MDA-MB-231 was 5 uM vs 25 uM in MCF7, as evaluated by SRB), and sensitivity to Bevacizumab was comparable between the two different cell lines. Investigating the undifferentiated nature of TNBCs, we observed that these tumors present an endothelial like phenotype and behavior, as supported respectively by the expression of endothelial markers, and the formation of vascular-like channels in vitro. In fact, all six TN cell lines evaluated (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157, MDA-MB-468, BT-549, BT-20 and HCC1937) were able to form vascular channels when seeded on the murine tumor-derived basement membrane (Matrigel), whereas luminal (MCF7, T47D and ZR-75-1) and HER2- positive (MDA-MB-361, BT474 and SKBr3) breast carcinoma cell lines did not exhibit vascular structures. Then, we evaluated the VM in xenograft tumors derived from MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and MDA-MB-361 using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). MDA-MB-231 xenografts displayed channel-like structures formed by tumor cells encompassing erytrocytes, whereas in MCF7 and MDA-MB-361 xenografts the endothelial lining delimiting blood vessels was clearly visible. Notably, blood vessels surrounded by tumor cells were also identified in human TN specimens processed for TEM, and these structures were significantly more frequent in TN compared to non-TN tumors. 60% reduction in TN vascular channel formation in vitro by an anti-bFGF monoclonal antibody along with no effect using anti-VEGF antibody indicated that TN breast carcinoma cells can generate vascular channels through bFGF-mediated pathway. Silencing of different receptors involved in bFGF signal (i.e. FGFR2 and PDGFR β) abrogated VM in TN cells. Finally, TNBC cells able to perform vascular-like channels were found to express significantly higher (p= 0.003) levels of FGFR related genes, described associated with basal-like BC aggressiveness, compared to all the other tested cell lines. Conclusions. Our findings point to the possibility that TNBC cells are maintained by proangiogenic signals and that increased sensitivity to Sunitinib probably relies on the specific impairment of PDGFRβ and FGFR2-mediated pathways, which might represent a possible specific therapeutic target. Partially supported by AIRC and Italian Bureau of Health.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-01.