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International Journal of Oncology Dec 2020Triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10‑15% of all breast cancer cases. TNBCs lack estrogen and progesterone receptors and express low levels of HER2,... (Review)
Review
Triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10‑15% of all breast cancer cases. TNBCs lack estrogen and progesterone receptors and express low levels of HER2, and therefore do not respond to hormonal or anti‑HER2 therapies. TNBC is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that generally displays poorer prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC is chemotherapy sensitive, and this treatment remains the standard of care despite its limited benefit. Recent advances with novel agents have been made for specific subgroups with PD‑L1+ tumors or germline Brca‑mutated tumors. However, only a fraction of these patients responds to immune checkpoint or PARP inhibitors and even those who do respond often develop resistance and relapse. Various new agents and combination strategies have been explored to further understand molecular and immunological aspects of TNBC. In this review, we discuss clinical trials in the management of TNBC as well as perspectives for potential future treatments.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; B7-H1 Antigen; BRCA1 Protein; BRCA2 Protein; Breast; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Germ-Line Mutation; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Mastectomy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Prognosis; Progression-Free Survival; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 33174058
DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5135 -
Drugs Nov 2020Approximately 70% of invasive breast cancers have some degree of dependence on the estrogen hormone for cell proliferation and growth. These tumors have estrogen and/or... (Review)
Review
Approximately 70% of invasive breast cancers have some degree of dependence on the estrogen hormone for cell proliferation and growth. These tumors have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors (ER/PR+), generally referred to as hormone receptor positive (HR+) tumors, as indicated by the presence of positive staining and varying intensity levels of estrogen and/or progesterone receptors on immunohistochemistry. Therapies that inhibit ER signaling pathways, such as aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane), selective ER modulators (tamoxifen), and ER down-regulators (fulvestrant), are the mainstays of treatment for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. However, de novo or acquired resistance to ER targeted therapies is present in many tumors, leading to disease progression. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is implicated in sustaining endocrine resistance and has become the target of many new drugs for ER+ breast cancer. This article reviews the function of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR pathway and the various classes of PI3K pathway inhibitors that have been developed to disrupt this pathway signaling for the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Breast Neoplasms; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; DNA Mutational Analysis; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Mutation; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32894420
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-020-01394-w -
Endocrine Reviews Oct 2020Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are a new class of compounds developed to target the progesterone receptor (PR) with a mix of agonist and antagonist... (Review)
Review
Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are a new class of compounds developed to target the progesterone receptor (PR) with a mix of agonist and antagonist properties. These compounds have been introduced for the treatment of several gynecological conditions based on the critical role of progesterone in reproduction and reproductive tissues. In patients with uterine fibroids, mifepristone and ulipristal acetate have consistently demonstrated efficacy, and vilaprisan is currently under investigation, while studies of asoprisnil and telapristone were halted for safety concerns. Mifepristone demonstrated utility for the management of endometriosis, while data are limited regarding the efficacy of asoprisnil, ulipristal acetate, telapristone, and vilaprisan for this condition. Currently, none of the SPRMs have shown therapeutic success in treating endometrial cancer. Multiple SPRMs have been assessed for efficacy in treating PR-positive recurrent breast cancer, with in vivo studies suggesting a benefit of mifepristone, and multiple in vitro models suggesting the efficacy of ulipristal acetate and telapristone. Mifepristone, ulipristal acetate, vilaprisan, and asoprisnil effectively treated heavy menstrual bleeding (HBM) in patients with uterine fibroids, but limited data exist regarding the efficacy of SPRMs for HMB outside this context. A notable class effect of SPRMs are benign, PR modulator-associated endometrial changes (PAECs) due to the actions of the compounds on the endometrium. Both mifepristone and ulipristal acetate are effective for emergency contraception, and mifepristone was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome due to its additional antiglucocorticoid effect. Based on current evidence, SPRMs show considerable promise for treatment of several gynecologic conditions.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Contraception, Postcoital; Endometrial Neoplasms; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Leiomyoma; Receptors, Progesterone; Receptors, Steroid
PubMed: 32365199
DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa012 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jul 2015Growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer is dependent on cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), which promote progression from the G1 phase to the S... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer is dependent on cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), which promote progression from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. We assessed the efficacy of palbociclib (an inhibitor of CDK4 and CDK6) and fulvestrant in advanced breast cancer.
METHODS
This phase 3 study involved 521 patients with advanced hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer that had relapsed or progressed during prior endocrine therapy. We randomly assigned patients in a 2:1 ratio to receive palbociclib and fulvestrant or placebo and fulvestrant. Premenopausal or perimenopausal women also received goserelin. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival. Secondary end points included overall survival, objective response, rate of clinical benefit, patient-reported outcomes, and safety. A preplanned interim analysis was performed by an independent data and safety monitoring committee after 195 events of disease progression or death had occurred.
RESULTS
The median progression-free survival was 9.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.5 to not estimable) with palbociclib-fulvestrant and 3.8 months (95% CI, 3.5 to 5.5) with placebo-fulvestrant (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.56; P<0.001). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the palbociclib-fulvestrant group were neutropenia (62.0%, vs. 0.6% in the placebo-fulvestrant group), leukopenia (25.2% vs. 0.6%), anemia (2.6% vs. 1.7%), thrombocytopenia (2.3% vs. 0%), and fatigue (2.0% vs. 1.2%). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 0.6% of palbociclib-treated patients and 0.6% of placebo-treated patients. The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events was 2.6% with palbociclib and 1.7% with placebo.
CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer who had progression of disease during prior endocrine therapy, palbociclib combined with fulvestrant resulted in longer progression-free survival than fulvestrant alone. (Funded by Pfizer; PALOMA3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01942135.).
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biomarkers; Breast Neoplasms; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; Disease-Free Survival; Double-Blind Method; Estradiol; Female; Fulvestrant; Humans; Middle Aged; Piperazines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridines; Receptor, ErbB-2; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone
PubMed: 26030518
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505270 -
Drug Delivery and Translational Research Oct 2018The major current conventional types of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatments include surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.... (Review)
Review
The major current conventional types of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatments include surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Introducing biological drugs, targeted treatment and gene therapy can potentially reduce the mortality and improve the quality of life in patients with MBC. However, combination of several types of treatment is usually recommended. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10-20% of all cases of breast carcinoma and is characterized by the low expression of progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Consequently, convenient treatments used for MBC that target these receptors are not effective for TNBC which therefore requires special treatment approaches. This review discusses the occurrence of MBC, the prognosis and predictive biomarkers of MBC, and focuses on the novel advanced tactics for treatment of MBC and TNBC. Nanotechnology-based combinatorial approach for the suppression of EGFR by siRNA and gifitinib is described.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Clinical Trials as Topic; Combined Modality Therapy; ErbB Receptors; Female; Gefitinib; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prognosis; RNA, Small Interfering; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 29978332
DOI: 10.1007/s13346-018-0551-3 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Aug 2021Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a highly prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
CONTEXT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a highly prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility.
OBJECTIVE
This proof-of-concept study evaluated clinical efficacy and safety of the neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist fezolinetant in PCOS.
METHODS
This was a phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study (EudraCT 2014-004409-34). The study was conducted at 5 European clinical centers. Women with PCOS participated in the study. Interventions included fezolinetant 60 or 180 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was change in total testosterone. Gonadotropins, ovarian hormones, safety and tolerability were also assessed.
RESULTS
Seventy-three women were randomly assigned, and 64 participants completed the study. Adjusted mean (SE) changes in total testosterone from baseline to week 12 for fezolinetant 180 and 60 mg/day were -0.80 (0.13) and -0.39 (0.12) nmol/L vs -0.05 (0.10) nmol/L with placebo (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Adjusted mean (SE) changes from baseline in luteinizing hormone (LH) for fezolinetant 180 and 60 mg/d were -10.17 (1.28) and -8.21 (1.18) vs -3.16 (1.04) IU/L with placebo (P < .001 and P = .002); corresponding changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were -1.46 (0.32) and -0.92 (0.30) vs -0.57 (0.26) IU/L (P = .03 and P = .38), underpinning a dose-dependent decrease in the LH-to-FSH ratio vs placebo (P < .001). Circulating levels of progesterone and estradiol did not change significantly vs placebo (P > .10). Fezolinetant was well tolerated.
CONCLUSION
Fezolinetant had a sustained effect to suppress hyperandrogenism and reduce the LH-to-FSH ratio in women with PCOS.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadotropins; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Luteinizing Hormone; Middle Aged; Ovarian Function Tests; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Receptors, Neurokinin-3; Testosterone; Thiadiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 34000049
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab320 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2022Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) is a common reproductive disorder with various underlying etiologies. In recent years, rapid progress has been made in exploring the... (Review)
Review
Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) is a common reproductive disorder with various underlying etiologies. In recent years, rapid progress has been made in exploring the immunological mechanisms for RPL. A propensity toward Th2 over Th1 and regulatory T (Treg) over Th17 immune responses may be advantageous for reproductive success. In women with RPL and animals prone to abortion, an inordinate expression of cytokines associated with implantation and early embryo development is present in the endometrium or decidua secreted from immune and non-immune cells. Hence, an adverse cytokine milieu at the maternal-fetal interface assaults immunological tolerance, leading to fetal rejection. Similar to T cells, NK cells can be categorized based on the characteristics of cytokines they secrete. Decidual NK (dNK) cells of RPL patients exhibited an increased NK1/NK2 ratio (IFN-γ/IL-4 producing NK cell ratios), leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu and increased NK cell cytotoxicity. Genetic polymorphism may be the underlying etiologies for Th1 and Th17 propensity since it alters cytokine production. In addition, various hormones participate in cytokine regulations, including progesterone and estrogen, controlling cytokine balance in favor of the Th2 type. Consequently, the intricate regulation of cytokines and hormones may prevent the RPL of immune etiologies. Local or systemic administration of cytokines or their antagonists might help maintain adequate cytokine milieu, favoring Th2 over Th1 response or Treg over Th17 immune response in women with RPL. Herein, we provided an updated comprehensive review regarding the immune-regulatory role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in RPL. Understanding the roles of cytokines involved in RPL might significantly advance the early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of RPL.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Animals; Female; Cytokines; Abortion, Habitual; Killer Cells, Natural; Progesterone; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 36613575
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010132 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Feb 2022Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis and excess androgen production....
CONTEXT
Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis and excess androgen production. Corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1R) antagonism may decrease adrenal androgen production.
OBJECTIVE
This work aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of crinecerfont (NBI-74788), a selective CRF1R antagonist, in 21OHD.
METHODS
This open-label, phase 2 study, with sequential cohort design (NCT03525886), took place in 6 centers in the United States. Participants included men and women, aged 18 to 50 years, with 21OHD. Interventions included 4 crinecerfont regimens, each administered orally for 14 consecutive days: 50 or 100 mg once daily at bedtime (cohorts 1 and 2, respectively); 100 mg once daily in the evening (cohort 3); and 100 mg twice daily (cohort 4). Participants could enroll in more than 1 cohort. Main outcomes included changes from baseline to day 14 in adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione, and testosterone.
RESULTS
Eighteen participants (11 women, 7 men) were enrolled: cohort 1 (n = 8), cohort 2 (n = 7), cohort 3 (n = 8), cohort 4 (n = 8). Mean age was 31 years; 94% were White. Median percent reductions were more than 60% for ACTH (-66%), 17OHP (-64%), and androstenedione (-64%) with crinecerfont 100 mg twice a day. In female participants, 73% (8/11) had a 50% or greater reduction in testosterone levels; male participants had median 26% to 65% decreases in androstenedione/testosterone ratios.
CONCLUSION
Crinecerfont treatment for 14 days lowered ACTH and afforded clinically meaningful reductions of elevated 17OHP, androstenedione, testosterone (women), or androstenedione/testosterone ratio (men) in adults with 21OHD. Longer-term studies are required to evaluate the effects of crinecerfont on clinical end points of disordered steroidogenesis and glucocorticoid exposure in patients with 21OHD.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; Administration, Oral; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Androstenedione; Azabicyclo Compounds; Biomarkers; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Oxadiazoles; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Testosterone; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34653252
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab749 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Oct 2023Crinecerfont, a corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor antagonist, has been shown to reduce elevated adrenal androgens and precursors in adults with congenital...
CONTEXT
Crinecerfont, a corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor antagonist, has been shown to reduce elevated adrenal androgens and precursors in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cortisol deficiency and androgen excess due to elevated adrenocorticotropin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of crinecerfont in adolescents with 21OHD CAH.
METHODS
This was an open-label, phase 2 study (NCT04045145) at 4 centers in the United States. Participants were males and females, 14 to 17 years of age, with classic 21OHD CAH. Crinecerfont was administered orally (50 mg twice daily) for 14 consecutive days with morning and evening meals. The main outcomes were change from baseline to day 14 in circulating concentrations of ACTH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione, and testosterone.
RESULTS
8 participants (3 males, 5 females) were enrolled; median age was 15 years and 88% were Caucasian/White. After 14 days of crinecerfont, median percent reductions from baseline to day 14 were as follows: ACTH, -57%; 17OHP, -69%; and androstenedione, -58%. In female participants, 60% (3/5) had ≥50% reduction from baseline in testosterone.
CONCLUSION
Adolescents with classic 21OHD CAH had substantial reductions in adrenal androgens and androgen precursors after 14 days of oral crinecerfont administration. These results are consistent with a study of crinecerfont in adults with classic 21OHD CAH.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Androgens; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Androstenedione; 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; Testosterone; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
PubMed: 37216921
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad270 -
Human Reproduction Update Jul 2019Endometriosis is recognized as a steroid-dependent disorder; however, the precise roles of nuclear receptors (NRs) in steroid responsiveness and other signaling pathways... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis is recognized as a steroid-dependent disorder; however, the precise roles of nuclear receptors (NRs) in steroid responsiveness and other signaling pathways are not well understood.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
Over the past several years, a number of paradigm-shifting breakthroughs have occurred in the area of NRs in endometriosis. We review and clarify new information regarding the mechanisms responsible for: (i) excessive estrogen biosynthesis, (ii) estrogen-dependent inflammation, (iii) defective differentiation due to progesterone resistance and (iv) enhanced survival due to deficient retinoid production and action in endometriosis. We emphasize the roles of the relevant NRs critical for these pathological processes in endometriosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search using PubMed for human, animal and cellular studies published until 2018 in the following areas: endometriosis; the steroid and orphan NRs, estrogen receptors alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), progesterone receptor (PGR), steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1) and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (NR2F2); and retinoids.
OUTCOMES
Four distinct abnormalities in the intracavitary endometrium and extra-uterine endometriotic tissue underlie endometriosis progression: dysregulated differentiation of endometrial mesenchymal cells, abnormal epigenetic marks, inflammation activated by excess estrogen and the development of progesterone resistance. Endometriotic stromal cells compose the bulk of the lesions and demonstrate widespread epigenetic abnormalities. Endometriotic stromal cells also display a wide range of abnormal NR expression. The orphan NRs NR5A1 and NR2F2 compete to regulate steroid-synthesizing genes in endometriotic stromal cells; NR5A1 dominance gives rise to excessive estrogen formation. Endometriotic stromal cells show an abnormally low ESR1:ESR2 ratio due to excessive levels of ESR2, which mediates an estrogen-driven inflammatory process and prostaglandin formation. These cells are also deficient in PGR, leading to progesterone resistance and defective retinoid synthesis. The pattern of NR expression, involving low ESR1 and PGR and high ESR2, is reminiscent of uterine leiomyoma stem cells. This led us to speculate that endometriotic stromal cells may display stem cell characteristics found in other uterine tissues. The biologic consequences of these abnormalities in endometriotic tissue include intense inflammation, defective differentiation and enhanced survival.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Steroid- and other NR-related abnormalities exert genome-wide biologic effects via interaction with defective epigenetic programming and enhance inflammation in endometriotic stromal cells. New synthetic ligands, targeting PGR, retinoic acid receptors and ESR2, may offer novel treatment options.
Topics: Animals; Endometriosis; Estrogens; Female; Hormone Antagonists; Hormones; Humans; Ligands; Progesterone; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 30809650
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz005