Activation of ERBB4 in Glioblastoma Can Contribute to Increased Tumorigenicity and Influence Therapeutic Response
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Glioblastoma (GBM) is often resistant to conventional and targeted therapeutics. ERBB4 is expressed throughout normal brain and is an oncogene in several pediatric brain cancers; therefore, we investigated ERBB4 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in GBM. Using RT-qPCR, we quantified mRNA encoding total ERBB4 and known ERBB4 variants in GBM and non-neoplastic normal brain (NNB) samples. Using immunohistochemistry, we characterized the localization of total and phosphorylated ERBB4 (p-ERBB4) and EGFR protein in archived GBM samples and assessed their association with patient survival. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of ERBB4 phosphorylation on angiogenesis and tumorigenicity in GBM xenograft models. Total ERBB4 mRNA was significantly lower in GBM than NNB samples, with the JM-a and CYT-2 variants predominating. ERBB4 protein was ubiquitously expressed in GBM but was not associated with patient survival. However, high p-ERBB4 in 11% of archived GBM samples, independent of p-EGFR, was associated with shorter patient survival (12.0±3.2 months) than was no p-ERBB4 (22.5±9.5 months). Increased ERBB4 activation was also associated with increased proliferation, angiogenesis, tumorigenicity and reduced sensitivity to anti-EGFR treatment in xenograft models. Despite low ERBB4 mRNA in GBM, the functional effects of increased ERBB4 activation identify ERBB4 as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target.
Source: Cancers
Institutions: Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Monash Medical Centre, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Manufacturing, University of California San Diego
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funders: James S. McDonnell Foundation, Amgen, Pfizer, Victorian Cancer Agency, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, State Government of Victoria, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victorian Brain Bank, University of California, San Francisco, Amgen Australia, Medical Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
OpenAlex ID: W2808159589