Modulation of Estrogen α and Progesterone Receptors in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines: The Effects of Vorinostat and Indole-3-Carbinol In Vitro

• Published in: Anticancer research 2020-07, Vol.40 (7), p.3669-3683
• Main Authors: NOURIEMAMZADEN, FATEMEH, WORD, BEVERLY, COTTON, EBONY, HAWKINS, ANFERNEE, LITTLEJOHN, KAI, MOORE, RHONDA, MIRANDA-CARBON, GUSTAV, ORISH, CHINNA NNEKA, LYN-COOK, BEVERLY
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Epidermal growth factor; ErbB-2 protein; Estrogen receptors; Estrogens; Growth factors; Indole-3-carbinol; Progesterone; Progesterone receptors; Receptors; Tamoxifen; Tumor cell lines; Western blotting
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530
• DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.14356

Background/Aim: Triple negative cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is highly aggressive, with poor prognosis and responds differently to treatments. This study investigated the role of vorinostat and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on regulating critical receptors that are not normally expressed in TNBC. Materials and Methods: Using real-time PCR, immunostaining, and western blots, the re-expression of estrogen receptor α (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) receptors was examined in four different TNBC cell types. Results: ERα was re-expressed in three subtypes using vorinostat and I3C. Re-expression of the PR by vorinostat was also detected. Neither vorinostat nor I3C resulted in re-expression of the HER2 receptor. A significant decrease in growth and sensitivity to tamoxifen was also noted. Conclusion: The results of this study show that vorinostat and I3C modulate the re-expression of critical receptors in certain subtypes of TNBC through several pathways and these effects can be influenced by the molecular profiles of TNBCs.