Loss of MutL Disrupts CHK2-Dependent Cell-Cycle Control through CDK4/6 to Promote Intrinsic Endocrine Therapy Resistance in Primary Breast Cancer

Cancer Discov. 2017 Oct;7(10):1168-1183. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-16-1179. Epub 2017 Aug 11.

Abstract

Significant endocrine therapy-resistant tumor proliferation is present in ≥20% of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) primary breast cancers and is associated with disease recurrence and death. Here, we uncover a link between intrinsic endocrine therapy resistance and dysregulation of the MutL mismatch repair (MMR) complex (MLH1/3, PMS1/2), and demonstrate a direct role for MutL complex loss in resistance to all classes of endocrine therapy. We find that MutL deficiency in ER+ breast cancer abrogates CHK2-mediated inhibition of CDK4, a prerequisite for endocrine therapy responsiveness. Consequently, CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) remain effective in MutL-defective ER+ breast cancer cells. These observations are supported by data from a clinical trial where a CDK4/6i was found to strongly inhibit aromatase inhibitor-resistant proliferation of MutL-defective tumors. These data suggest that diagnostic markers of MutL deficiency could be used to direct adjuvant CDK4/6i to a population of patients with breast cancer who exhibit marked resistance to the current standard of care.Significance: MutL deficiency in a subset of ER+ primary tumors explains why CDK4/6 inhibition is effective against some de novo endocrine therapy-resistant tumors. Therefore, markers of MutL dysregulation could guide CDK4/6 inhibitor use in the adjuvant setting, where the risk benefit ratio for untargeted therapeutic intervention is narrow. Cancer Discov; 7(10); 1168-83. ©2017 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1047.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • MutL Proteins / deficiency*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism

Substances

  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • CHEK2 protein, human
  • CDK4 protein, human
  • CDK6 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6
  • MutL Proteins