Pan, M.* ; Schinke, H.* ; Luxenburger, E.* ; Kranz, G.* ; Shakhtour, J.* ; Libl, D.* ; Huang, Y.* ; Gaber, A.* ; Pavšič, M.* ; Lenarčič, B.* ; Kitz, J.* ; Jakob, M.* ; Schwenk-Zieger, S.* ; Canis, M.* ; Hess J. ; Unger, K. ; Baumeister, P. ; Gires, O.
EpCAM ectodomain EpEX is a ligand of EGFR that counteracts EGF-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition through modulation of phospho-ERK1/2 in head and neck cancers.
PLoS Biol. 16:e2006624 (2018)
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are characterized by outstanding molecular heterogeneity that results in severe therapy resistance and poor clinical outcome. Inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was recently revealed as a major parameter of poor clinical outcome. Here, we addressed the expression and function of the therapeutic target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of the major determinant of epithelial differentiation epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in clinical samples and in vitro models of HNSCCs. We describe improved survival of EGFRlow/EpCAMhighHNSCC patients (n = 180) and provide a molecular basis for the observed disparities in clinical outcome. EGF/EGFR have concentration-dependent dual capacities as inducers of proliferation and EMT through differential activation of the central molecular switch phosphorylated extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) and EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) Snail, zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1), and Slug. Furthermore, soluble ectodomain of EpCAM (EpEX) was identified as a ligand of EGFR that activates pERK1/2 and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) and induces EGFR-dependent proliferation but represses EGF-mediated EMT, Snail, Zeb1, and Slug activation and cell migration. EMT repression by EpEX is realized through competitive modulation of pERK1/2 activation strength and inhibition of EMT-TFs, which is reflected in levels of pERK1/2 and its target Slug in clinical samples. Accordingly, high expression of pERK1/2 and/or Slug predicted poor outcome of HNSCCs. Hence, EpEX is a ligand of EGFR that induces proliferation but counteracts EMT mediated by the EGF/EGFR/pERK1/2 axis. Therefore, the emerging EGFR/EpCAM molecular cross talk represents a promising target to improve patient-tailored adjuvant treatment of HNSCCs.
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Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Typ der Hochschulschrift
Herausgeber
Schlagwörter
Squamous-cell Carcinoma; Pd-0325901 Overcomes Resistance; Current Treatment Options; Breast-cancer; Pancreatic-cancer; Predicts Poor; Stem-cells; Oropharyngeal Carcinoma; Prognostic-significance; Tonsillar Carcinomas
Keywords plus
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2018
Prepublished im Jahr
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2018
ISSN (print) / ISBN
1544-9173
e-ISSN
1545-7885
ISBN
Bandtitel
Konferenztitel
Konferzenzdatum
Konferenzort
Konferenzband
Quellenangaben
Band: 16,
Heft: 9,
Seiten: ,
Artikelnummer: e2006624
Supplement: ,
Reihe
Verlag
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Verlagsort
1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, Ca 94111 Usa
Tag d. mündl. Prüfung
0000-00-00
Betreuer
Gutachter
Prüfer
Topic
Hochschule
Hochschulort
Fakultät
Veröffentlichungsdatum
0000-00-00
Anmeldedatum
0000-00-00
Anmelder/Inhaber
weitere Inhaber
Anmeldeland
Priorität
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
POF Topic(s)
30504 - Mechanisms of Genetic and Environmental Influences on Health and Disease
30203 - Molecular Targets and Therapies
Forschungsfeld(er)
Radiation Sciences
PSP-Element(e)
G-521800-001
G-501000-001
Förderungen
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2018-10-19