Targeting EGF-receptor(s) - STAT1 axis attenuates tumor growth and metastasis through downregulation of MUC4 mucin in human pancreatic cancer

Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu, Moorthy P. Ponnusamy, Satyanarayana Rachagani, Imayavaramban Lakshmanan, Dhanya Haridas, Ying Yan, Apar K. Ganti, Surinder K. Batra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transmembrane proteins MUC4, EGFR and HER2 are shown to be critical in invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Besides, we and others have demonstrated de novo expression of MUC4 in ~70-90% of pancreatic cancer patients and its stabilizing effects on HER2 downstream signaling in pancreatic cancer. Here, we found that use of canertinib or afatinib resulted in reduction of MUC4 and abrogation of in vitro and in vivo oncogenic functions of MUC4 in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, silencing of EGFR family member in pancreatic cancer cells decreased MUC4 expression through reduced phospho-STAT1. Furthermore, canertinib and afatinib treatment also inhibited proliferation, migration and survival of pancreatic cancer cells by attenuation of signaling events including pERK1/2 (T202/Y204), cyclin D1, cyclin A, pFAK (Y925) and pAKT (Ser473). Using in vivo bioluminescent imaging, we demonstrated that canertinib treatment significantly reduced tumor burden (P=0.0164) and metastasis to various organs. Further, reduced expression of MUC4 and EGFR family members were confirmed in xenografts. Our results for the first time demonstrated the targeting of EGFR family members along with MUC4 by using pan-EGFR inhibitors. In conclusion, our studies will enhance the translational acquaintance of pan-EGFR inhibitors for combinational therapies to combat against lethal pancreatic cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5164-5181
Number of pages18
JournalOncotarget
Volume6
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Afatinib
  • Canertinib
  • EGFR
  • MUC4
  • Pancreatic cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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