Targeting Notch and EGFR signaling in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2021 Jan 21;6(1):27. doi: 10.1038/s41392-020-00388-0.

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common type of salivary gland cancers and patients with advanced, metastatic, and recurrent MECs have limited therapeutic options and poor treatment outcomes. MEC is commonly associated with a chromosomal translocation t(11;19) (q14-21;p12-13) that encodes the CRTC1-MAML2 oncogenic fusion. The CRTC1-MAML2 fusion is required for MEC growth in part through inducing autocrine AREG-EGFR signaling. Growing evidence suggests that MEC malignancy is maintained by cancer stem-like cells. In this study, we aimed to determine critical signaling for maintaining MEC stem-like cells and the effect of combined targeting of stem cell signaling and CRTC1-MAML2-induced EGFR signaling on blocking MEC growth. First, we evaluated the significance of Notch signaling in regulating MEC stem-like cells. Aberrantly activated Notch signaling was detected in human fusion-positive MEC cells. The inhibition of Notch signaling with genetic or pharmacological inhibitors reduced oncosphere formation and ALDH-bright population in vitro and blocked the growth of MEC xenografts in vivo. Next, we investigated the effect of co-targeting Notch signaling and EGFR signaling, and observed enhanced inhibition on MEC growth in vivo. Collectively, this study identified a critical role of Notch signaling in maintaining MEC stem-like cells and tumor growth, and revealed a novel approach of co-targeting Notch and EGFR signaling as a potential effective anti-MEC treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride / pharmacology
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / genetics
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Translocation, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • CRTC1 protein, human
  • MAML2 protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors