Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (134)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = ErbB inhibitors

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
9 pages, 10403 KB  
Case Report
Complete Imaging Resolution of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ During Osimertinib Therapy for Synchronous EGFR Exon 19-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report
by Leticia Assad Maia Sandoval, Richard E. Sharpe, Austin J. Fullenkamp, Erinn Downs and Lida Mina
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(13), 5995; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27135995 - 3 Jul 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 394
Abstract
A 64-year-old Asian woman diagnosed with synchronous breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and stage IV EGFR-mutated non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC). A decision was made to defer management of the DCIS and initiate Osimertinib for lung cancer treatment, since this [...] Read more.
A 64-year-old Asian woman diagnosed with synchronous breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and stage IV EGFR-mutated non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC). A decision was made to defer management of the DCIS and initiate Osimertinib for lung cancer treatment, since this was a life-limiting diagnosis. At 9 months, restaging FDG-PET CT showed an interval response in the NSCLC and complete loss of FDG avidity at the biopsy-proven DCIS site. Breast MRI confirmed complete imaging resolution of the DCIS. The clinical resolution of breast DCIS during third-generation EGFR inhibitor therapy has not been previously reported in humans and highlights a potential role for the EGFR/HER2 (ERBB) pathway in pre-invasive breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breast Cancer: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapies, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

45 pages, 4752 KB  
Review
Protein Kinase Inhibitors as Regulators of ABC Transporters in Overcoming Cancer Multidrug Resistance: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Advances
by Fatemeh Moosavi, Bahareh Hassani, Motahareh Mortazavi, Godefridus J. Peters and Omidreza Firuzi
Cancers 2026, 18(12), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18121957 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 867
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is defined as resistance to apparently unrelated drugs with different mechanisms of action, a phenomenon that seriously decreases the efficacy of many anticancer therapeutic regimens. MDR is mainly associated with a high expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including ABCB1, [...] Read more.
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is defined as resistance to apparently unrelated drugs with different mechanisms of action, a phenomenon that seriously decreases the efficacy of many anticancer therapeutic regimens. MDR is mainly associated with a high expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including ABCB1, ABCG2, and members of the ABCC subfamily, which actively extrude many anticancer drugs of various classes out of the cells. Protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) were developed as therapies targeting oncogenic kinases but later appeared to be both substrates and inhibitors of ABC transporters and thus can potentially reverse MDR. This comprehensive review evaluates how PKIs regulate ABC transporters through three key mechanisms: altering expression, modifying subcellular localization, and inhibiting the efflux function. We evaluated the effect of PKIs that target tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases, such as EGFR/ErbB, JAK, VEGFR, BCR-Abl, ALK, FGFR, MEK1/2, B-RAF, BTK, CDK4/6, MET, RET, PDGFR and SYK. We have collected both computational studies and experimental reports, including functional assays, mechanistic studies of inhibition, and structural approaches that have evaluated PKIs’ effects on ABC transporters. We conclude that although PKIs can be ABC substrates, they mainly inhibit drug efflux, with minimal and context-dependent effects on transporter expression or localization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Drug Resistance: Mechanisms and Overcoming Strategies)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 24203 KB  
Article
Maspin Modulates Malignant Phenotypes Depending on Subcellular Localization in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines
by Hirotoshi Mochida, Tomohiko Sakabe, Takayuki Shingu, Karen Makishima and Yoshihisa Umekita
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111815 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 639
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) was originally identified as a tumor suppressor gene, as loss of its expression in breast cancer cell lines promotes invasiveness and tumorigenicity. In contrast, normal pancreatic ductal epithelium does not express the maspin protein, and its [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) was originally identified as a tumor suppressor gene, as loss of its expression in breast cancer cell lines promotes invasiveness and tumorigenicity. In contrast, normal pancreatic ductal epithelium does not express the maspin protein, and its expression frequency increases as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) progresses to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We have previously reported that cytoplasmic-only localization of maspin (cytMaspin) is an independent indicator of poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. However, the functional role of maspin in PDAC remains unclear. Methods: We investigated the subcellular localization and biological function of maspin in PDAC cell lines using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, RNA-seq, wound-healing assays, and invasion assays. Results: Endogenous maspin was detected in most PDAC cell lines, and RNA-seq was performed in S2-007 (panMaspin; nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of maspin) and S2-028 (cytMaspin), which were derived from the same parental cell line (SUIT-2). The invasive capability of S2-028 cells (cytMaspin) was higher than that of S2-007 cells (panMaspin), showing upregulation of the ErbB family and axon-guidance pathways. Furthermore, maspin overexpression in PANC-1 and S2-020 cells resulted in panMaspin and cytMaspin, respectively. PANC-1 cells overexpressing maspin showed decreased invasive capability via suppression of HER2 expression and Akt activation. Conclusions: Although maspin expression has generally been considered an unfavorable prognostic indicator in patients with PDAC, our findings suggest that its biological effects may differ depending on its subcellular localization. Specifically, nuclear localization is linked to less aggressive phenotypes, whereas cytoplasmic localization is associated with more malignant behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Cancer Biology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 5984 KB  
Review
HER2 Therapies in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
by Fedor Wadi Richani Meinhardt, Mijail I. Zambrano Iglesias, María P. Fernández Gómez, Jesús F. Saltaren Fonseca, Atif Hussein and Luis E. Raez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4910; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114910 - 29 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
This review discusses the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ERBB2) as a key oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including exon 20 activating mutations, gene amplification, and protein overexpression. These forms differ in their biological effects [...] Read more.
This review discusses the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ERBB2) as a key oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including exon 20 activating mutations, gene amplification, and protein overexpression. These forms differ in their biological effects and predictive value, but HER2 mutations, especially exon 20 insertions, are the primary oncogenic mechanism. Regarding diagnosis, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is used to identify mutations, whereas Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization are used to assess HER2 expression. Concerning treatment, in advanced HER2-positive, Non-Squamous NSCLC tumors, the first-line treatment is Platinum-based + Pemetrexed chemotherapy, with or without immunotherapy, because no HER2-targeted antibody therapy has yet been approved for initial treatment. After progression, HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates like Trastuzumab-Deruxtecan and Ado Trastuzumab-Emtansine may offer patients clinical benefits. New HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as zongertinib and sevabertinib, have shown promising results, including patients previously treated with antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). Recent advances, including next-generation ADCs such as SHR-A1811 and A166, and bispecific antibodies, such as zenocutuzumab for NRG1 fusion–positive disease, which are also expanding treatment options. Overall, advances in diagnostics and new targeted therapies are changing how HER2-altered NSCLC is treated and are helping to make care more personalized. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1611 KB  
Article
Analytical Validation of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and AscentTM Low-Pass Whole Genome Sequencing to Report on Gene Copy Number Variants in Cerebrospinal Fluid Tumor-Derived DNA
by Viriya Keo, Sakshi Khurana, Vindhya Udhane, Alexandra Larson, Jennifer N. Adams, Daniel Sanchez, Tarin Peltier, Anthony Acevedo, Kathleen Mitchell, Kala F. Schilter, Qian Nie and Honey V. Reddi
J. Mol. Pathol. 2026, 7(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmp7020018 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 1297
Abstract
Background: Evaluation of gene-level copy number variants (CNVs) for diagnosis and therapeutic decision making has become standard of care with next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) being used to detect gene amplifications/deletions in tumor tissue. In contrast to [...] Read more.
Background: Evaluation of gene-level copy number variants (CNVs) for diagnosis and therapeutic decision making has become standard of care with next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) being used to detect gene amplifications/deletions in tumor tissue. In contrast to most solid tumors, CNS cancers are challenging to evaluate by resection and/or biopsy due to the associated risks with invasive brain surgery that can also result in death or associated morbidity and therefore alternate methods are required.Methods: This study presents the analytical validation of using quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect gene CNVs directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived DNA and from the AscentTM low-pass whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS) libraries, demonstrating concordance with the gold standard of NGS/IHC/FISH used in tumor tissue. Results: The analytical sensitivity of qPCR to detect gene amplification calls for ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) was demonstrated to be 100% and that of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) was 83%, with specificities of 96% and 100%, respectively. The analytical sensitivity of qPCR to detect gene deletions for CDKN2A/2B (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/2B) was 60% and that for MTAP (methylthioadenosine phosphorylase) was 100% with a specificity of 100% for all three genes. AscentTM was demonstrated to have a higher sensitivity (100%) when compared to qPCR for the same genes evaluated and demonstrated 100% positive agreement and 100% negative agreement with known CNV status. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that given the paucity of cells in CSF limiting the use of IHC and FISH, qPCR and AscentTM provide highly sensitive, novel, minimally invasive methods for the evaluation of gene copy number (CN) status to inform the diagnosis and management of CNS cancers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1588 KB  
Article
SGLT2 Inhibition as a Perioperative Cardiorenal Stabilizer in Cardiac Surgery: Integrated Clinical Cohort and Pleiotropic Network-Based Pharmacological Analysis
by Lutfi Cagatay Onar, Ersin Guner and Ibrahim Yilmaz
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 2873; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15082873 - 10 Apr 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 746
Abstract
Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing cardiac surgery represent a high-risk population characterized by substantial cardiometabolic stress and increased susceptibility to postoperative heart failure, renal dysfunction, and unplanned rehospitalization. Although sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors provide established cardiorenal protection [...] Read more.
Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing cardiac surgery represent a high-risk population characterized by substantial cardiometabolic stress and increased susceptibility to postoperative heart failure, renal dysfunction, and unplanned rehospitalization. Although sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors provide established cardiorenal protection in ambulatory populations, their perioperative impact in cardiac surgery cohorts remains insufficiently defined. Methods: In a single-center retrospective cohort of 620 T2DM patients, inverse probability of treatment weighting and time-dependent Cox regression were applied to account for perioperative treatment interruption and delayed postoperative reinitiation when evaluating the association between chronic SGLT2 inhibitor therapy and 12-month rehospitalization risk. To provide biological context for the observed clinical associations, target-driven systems pharmacology, molecular docking against SGLT2, NHE1, AMPK, and NLRP3, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed. Hub proteins were identified using Maximal Clique Centrality, followed by functional enrichment (GO/KEGG) analysis. Results: Chronic SGLT2 inhibitor therapy was associated with reduced first rehospitalization (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.48–0.85; p = 0.002) and a lower cumulative rehospitalization burden (IRR 0.61; 95% CI 0.46–0.82; p = 0.001), primarily driven by heart failure-related and metabolic phenotypes. Molecular docking analyses identified favorable binding with SGLT2 and additional cardiometabolic and inflammatory targets, including NHE1, AMPK, NLRP3, IKKβ, IL-6Rα, and PPAR isoforms, suggesting modulation of myocardial ion homeostasis, metabolic resilience, and inflammatory signaling. PPI analysis identified eight hub proteins (AKT1, MTOR, STAT3, EGFR, PIK3CA, SRC, MAPK1, and MAPK3) significantly enriched in PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, and ErbB signaling pathways. Conclusions: Chronic SGLT2 inhibitor therapy was independently associated with reduced postoperative rehospitalization and cumulative event burden in T2DM patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Integrated in silico analyses offer mechanistic hypotheses consistent with the observed clinical associations. These findings suggest that structured perioperative SGLT2 inhibitor management may contribute to improved postoperative outcomes, while prospective validation in future studies would strengthen these findings. However, given the retrospective observational design, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1072 KB  
Article
The Effect of HER3 Expression on Prognosis in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Real-World Study
by Canan Yıldız, Meltem Baykara, Hacer Demir, Ramazan Cosar, Sedat Yıldız, Beyza Unlu, Yaşar Culha, Duygu Ozaskin, Merve Kuday Özkan, Fariz Emrah Özkan and Çiğdem Özdemir
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030538 - 13 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have substantially improved outcomes in EGFR-mutant NSCLC; however, primary and acquired resistance [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have substantially improved outcomes in EGFR-mutant NSCLC; however, primary and acquired resistance continues to limit their long-term efficacy. HER3 (receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ErbB3), a member of the ErbB receptor family, has been implicated in TKI resistance through heterodimerization with EGFR and HER2, leading to downstream PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Despite its biological plausibility as a resistance mediator, the clinical significance of HER3 expression as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in EGFR-mutant NSCLC has not been thoroughly characterized in real-world cohorts. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 52 patients diagnosed with EGFR-mutant NSCLC who received TKI therapy at Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University between January 2011 and September 2023. HER3 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue sections using the Huabio anti-HER3 antibody (clone PD00-44, 1:2000 dilution). Staining in more than 30% of tumor cells was considered HER3-positive; membranous staining intensity was scored on a 1–3 scale. Progression-free survival (PFS1, PFS2) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of 52 patients (55.8% female; mean age 64.5 years), 59.6% received chemotherapy and 40.4% received an EGFR TKI as first-line treatment; erlotinib constituted 71.2% of targeted therapies. In the first-line TKI group, HER3-negative patients had a numerically longer median PFS1 compared with HER3-positive patients (14.0 vs. 7.1 months; p = 0.285); however, this difference did not reach statistical significance and should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size. In contrast, among patients receiving first-line chemotherapy, HER3 staining status did not meaningfully affect PFS1 (4.1 vs. 2.5 months; p = 0.063). In second-line treatment, HER3-positive patients who received TKI after prior chemotherapy demonstrated a PFS2 comparable to or slightly exceeding that of HER3-negative patients (21.8 vs. 19.8 months; p = 0.49), suggesting that the sequencing of chemotherapy before TKI may attenuate the adverse effect of HER3 positivity. Median OS was 15.1 months in HER3-negative patients and 12.7 months in HER3-positive patients (p = 0.824); this numerical difference of approximately 3 months did not reach statistical significance and should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Among patients receiving TKI in the first line, HER3-positive patients had a shorter median OS than HER3-negative patients (9.6 vs. 14.2 months), whereas those receiving TKI in the second line showed a trend toward longer OS in HER3-positive patients (20.5 vs. 17.2 months). Conclusions: HER3 expression was associated with reduced first-line TKI efficacy in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, suggesting a possible role for HER3 in primary TKI resistance; however, these findings are exploratory and did not reach statistical significance. The observation that HER3-positive patients who received chemotherapy before TKI demonstrated outcomes comparable to HER3-negative patients raises the hypothesis that treatment sequencing may potentially influence the impact of HER3 positivity, though this requires prospective validation before any clinical conclusions can be drawn. These results suggest that HER3 expression may warrant further investigation as a candidate biomarker for treatment sequencing decisions and as a potential therapeutic target in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Prospective studies evaluating chemotherapy–TKI sequencing and HER3-directed agents such as patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in HER3-positive patients are needed to confirm these preliminary observations. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3787 KB  
Article
The Impact of HER3 Dynamics Altered by HER3-DXd Alone and in Combination with Driver Oncogene Inhibitors on HER3-DXd Efficacy
by Nagiho Komatsu, Saori Sato, Ryuichi Nakamura, Sumie Muramatsu, Pang-Dian Fan and Kumiko Koyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(4), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041930 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Targeted therapies have revolutionized treatment paradigms for a variety of cancer types; however, challenges including primary and acquired resistance persist, and there remains a high demand for novel treatment options. HER3 (ErbB3), a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family of [...] Read more.
Targeted therapies have revolutionized treatment paradigms for a variety of cancer types; however, challenges including primary and acquired resistance persist, and there remains a high demand for novel treatment options. HER3 (ErbB3), a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is a target of HER3-DXd, an antibody–drug conjugate currently under clinical investigation. As was previously reported, the cytotoxic activity of HER3-DXd in preclinical models is primarily mediated by the antitumor activity of the released payload. Therefore, we investigated the impact of HER3 expression changes on payload release after HER3-DXd treatment using HER3-positive human cancer cell lines and their xenograft models. In vitro studies showed that the amount of payload released from cells after HER3-DXd treatment was associated with baseline HER3 expression levels, HER3 internalization rate, and turnover rate. In female CAnN.Cg-Foxn1nu/CrlCrlj mouse models, dose and dosing interval influenced membrane HER3 expression levels and tumor payload concentrations. Furthermore, membrane HER3 was upregulated by tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines harboring specific driver mutations, including EGFR-activating mutations, ROS1 fusions, and ALK fusions. The increase in HER3 expression induced by osimertinib treatment was associated with increased payload release in PC-9 cells. Our results indicate that HER3 dynamics, as well as baseline HER3 expression, modulate payload release from HER3-DXd and support combination strategies to potentiate the antitumor activity of HER3-DXd. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4353 KB  
Article
The ErbB2–Dock7 Signaling Axis Mediates Excessive Cell Morphogenesis Induced by Autism Spectrum Disorder- and Intellectual Disability-Associated Sema5A p.Arg676Cys
by Mikito Takahashi, Hideji Yako, Ayaka Suzuki, Ryuma Isa, Yuki Miyamoto and Junji Yamauchi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110656 - 1 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
Characterized by social communication deficits and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a significant neurodevelopmental condition. Genetic studies have revealed a strong association between ASD and numerous mutations that alter the function of key proteins, either through [...] Read more.
Characterized by social communication deficits and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a significant neurodevelopmental condition. Genetic studies have revealed a strong association between ASD and numerous mutations that alter the function of key proteins, either through activation or inactivation. These alterations are widely hypothesized to affect neuronal morphogenesis; however, a comprehensive understanding of the specific molecular cascades driving these cellular and symptomatic changes remains lacking. In this study, we report for the first time that signaling through the atypical Rho family guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Dock7 and ErbB2, an activator acting upstream of Dock7, drives the excessive elongation of neuronal processes observed in association with the ASD- and intellectual disability (ID)-linked semaphorin-5A (Sema5A) Arg676Cys variant (p.Arg676Cys). Knockdown of Dock7 using short hairpin RNA or inhibition of ErbB2 kinase signaling with a specific chemical inhibitor reduced this excessive process elongation in primary cortical neurons. Similar results were obtained in the N1E-115 cell line, a neuronal cell model that undergoes neuronal morphological differentiation. Moreover, inhibition of ErbB2-Dock7 signaling specifically decreased the overactivation of the downstream molecules Rac1 and Cdc42. These findings indicate that the ErbB2–Dock7 signaling axis plays a role in mediating the aberrant neuronal morphology associated with the ASD- and ID-linked Sema5A p.Arg676Cys. Targeting this pathway may therefore offer a potential approach to addressing the molecular and cellular developmental challenges observed in ASD. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 3067 KB  
Article
Transcriptomic Profiling of the Tumor Microenvironment in High-Grade Serous Carcinoma: A Pilot Study of Morphologic and Molecular Distinctions Between Classic and SET Patterns
by Riccardo Giannini, Francesco Bartoli, Katia De Ieso, Tiziano Camacci, Andrea Bertolucci, Lorenzo Piccini, Erion Rreka, Duccio Volterrani, Federica Gemignani, Stefano Landi, Clara Ugolini, Piero Vincenzo Lippolis and Pinuccia Faviana
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(20), 10229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262010229 - 21 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the ovary is characterized by two major histological patterns: a classic papillary/micropapillary architecture and a solid pseudo-endometrioid transitional (SET) variant. We investigated whether the distinct morphologic subtypes are underpinned by transcriptomic differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We [...] Read more.
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the ovary is characterized by two major histological patterns: a classic papillary/micropapillary architecture and a solid pseudo-endometrioid transitional (SET) variant. We investigated whether the distinct morphologic subtypes are underpinned by transcriptomic differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We profiled 21 HGSC tumors (7 SET, 14 classic) using a 770-gene NanoString PanCancer Progression panel. Differential expression analysis revealed ~20 genes with significantly different expression (>4-fold, adjusted p < 0.01) between SET and classic tumors. Unsupervised clustering partially separated SET and classic tumors, suggesting that global gene expression patterns correlate with histologic subtype. SET tumors exhibited upregulation of cell-cycle and epithelial genes (e.g., PTTG1, TRAIL, HER3) and downregulation of genes involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and angiogenesis (e.g., TWIST2, FGF2, decorin) relative to classic tumors. Notably, PTTG1 and TRAIL were upregulated ~6–9-fold in SET tumors, whereas TWIST2 was ~7-fold downregulated, consistent with reduced EMT in SET tumors. Pathway analysis indicated that SET tumors appear to have an immune-active, stroma-poor microenvironment, in line with an “immunoreactive” phenotype, whereas classic tumors showed a mesenchymal, stroma-rich profile. These molecular distinctions could have diagnostic utility and may inform therapeutic stratification, with key dysregulated genes (e.g., HER3, TRAIL, FGF2) representing potential prognostic or predictive biomarkers. For example, high HER3 expression in SET tumors might predict sensitivity to ERBB3/PI3K inhibitors, whereas stromal factors (e.g., FGF2) enriched in classic HGSC could be targeted with microenvironment-modulating therapies. These preliminary findings require validation before translation into pathology practice via immunohistochemical (IHC) assays (e.g., for HER3 or TRAIL), potentially enabling improved classification and personalized treatment of HGSC. We report effect sizes as log2 fold change with 95% confidence intervals and emphasize FDR-adjusted q-values. Given the small sample size and the absence of outcome data (OS/PFS/PFI), results are preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Orthogonal protein-level validation and replication in larger, independent cohorts are required before any translational inference. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1830 KB  
Article
Increased EGFR/HER2 Pathway Activation Contributes to Skin Tumorigenesis in Tpl2/− Mice
by Laura R. Purkey, Stefania Mehedincu, Charles Irvine, Raelyn Akdag, Megan Little, W. Wade Kothmann, Katharine Rus, Erin Greenberg, Neil Shady and Kathleen DeCicco-Skinner
Cancers 2025, 17(20), 3362; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17203362 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1324
Abstract
Background: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2), a serine/threonine protein kinase within the MAPK family, regulates cellular proliferation, survival, and inflammatory responses. Loss of Tpl2 activates [...] Read more.
Background: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2), a serine/threonine protein kinase within the MAPK family, regulates cellular proliferation, survival, and inflammatory responses. Loss of Tpl2 activates compensatory signaling cascades, driving increased papilloma and cSCC development. In this study we examined whether dysregulated ErbB signaling contributes to the enhanced tumor burden found in Tpl2−/− mice. Methods: To evaluate whether aberrant ErbB signaling drives tumorigenesis in Tpl2−/− mice, wild-type (Tpl2+/+) and Tpl2−/− mice were subjected to a two-stage chemical carcinogenesis protocol for 48 weeks. A subset of mice received Gefitinib (an EGFR inhibitor) or Lapatinib (a HER2 inhibitor) in their diet. Results: We found that Tpl2 ablation increases gene expression of EGFR, HER2, and HER3, while baseline protein levels remain unchanged between Tpl2 genotypes. To investigate the possibility of microRNA (miR)-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of EGFR, HER2, and HER3, we measured ErbB-related miR expression in keratinocytes. We found that HER2/3-related miRs 205 and 21 are increased in Tpl2−/− keratinocytes. Further, Tpl2 loss enhances p-EGFR, EGFR, and HER2 protein expression in papillomas. and HER2-related microRNAs (miRs) 205 and 21 in keratinocytes, and enhances p-EGFR, EGFR, and HER2 protein expression in papillomas. Tpl2−/− mice developed 12-fold more papillomas and 4-fold more cSCCs compared to Tpl2+/+ animals. Treatment with Gefitinib or Lapatinib reduced papilloma numbers by 88% and 50%, respectively, while restoring cSCC numbers to Tpl2+/+ levels. Conclusions: These findings indicate that ErbB targeting represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cSCCs arising from MAPK pathway dysregulation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 939 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in the Development and Clinical Use of HER2 Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
by Richy Ekyalongo, Toshimitsu Yamaoka and Junji Tsurutani
Biomolecules 2025, 15(10), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15101443 - 12 Oct 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4502
Abstract
Alterations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene are well-recognized oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The first anti-HER2 inhibitor, trastuzumab-deruxtecan, was approved for previously treated advanced NSCLC with HER2 mutations, which accounts [...] Read more.
Alterations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene are well-recognized oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The first anti-HER2 inhibitor, trastuzumab-deruxtecan, was approved for previously treated advanced NSCLC with HER2 mutations, which accounts for 2–4% of NSCLC. The first anti-HER2 antibody, trastuzumab, was approved for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in 1998, and a combination therapy comprising trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and docetaxel demonstrated efficacy in the first-line setting. Some EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been evaluated as pan-HER TKIs but have shown limited benefits in HER2-altered NSCLC. However, HER2-specific TKIs, such as zongertinib and BAY2927088, have demonstrated encouraging results. Zongertinib was the first HER2-specific TKI to be approved by the FDA in 2025 for previously treated ERBB2-mutated advanced NSCLC. In this narrative review, we have summarized the latest research on the biology of HER2 signaling, HER2 alterations, HER2-targeting therapies, and challenges of treating HER2-overexpressing or -mutated NSCLC. Despite different targets of HER2 mutations in NSCLC and HER2 amplification/overexpression in breast cancer, the development of HER2-targeting agents has been more advanced in breast cancer than in NSCLC. Therefore, pivotal clinical studies in breast cancer may help in identifying more effective therapies for NSCLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics of Lung Disease)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 8412 KB  
Article
Lipidomics-Based Analysis of the Regulatory Effects of Phytosterol Esters on Lactation Performance and Lipid Metabolism in Tarim Bactrian camels
by Penglan Dou, Yusong Shen, Weihua Zheng, Lin Zhu, Yong Chen and Fengming Li
Animals 2025, 15(19), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192827 - 28 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1023
Abstract
Plantsterol esters (PSEs) exert beneficial effects on animal product quality, indicating their potential as a nutritional intervention strategy. This study investigated the effects of dietary PSE supplementation on lactation performance and lipid metabolism in Tarim Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) to establish [...] Read more.
Plantsterol esters (PSEs) exert beneficial effects on animal product quality, indicating their potential as a nutritional intervention strategy. This study investigated the effects of dietary PSE supplementation on lactation performance and lipid metabolism in Tarim Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) to establish a scientific basis for its application in their husbandry. Thirty-two mid-lactation female camels were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 8): CON (basal diet), L (200 mg/kg PSE), M (400 mg/kg PSE), and H (800 mg/kg PSE). Since lactation performance is closely linked to metabolic status, biochemical and lipidomic analyses were conducted on serum and milk samples. Analysis revealed that the H group showed significantly increased milk yield, lactose yield, and milk fat yield compared to other groups. Serum cholesterol levels decreased progressively with higher PSE supplementation, while serum urea levels rose dose-dependently. Blood Glu was lower in the L group but higher in the H group relative to CON. Lipidomic profiling identified 644 and 257 differential metabolites in milk and serum, respectively. Milk metabolites were enriched in the EGFR inhibitor resistance, MAPK, and ErbB signaling pathways; serum metabolites were linked to glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid metabolism. These findings indicate that PSE-modulated metabolites in serum and milk significantly influence lactation performance and glucolipid metabolism in Tarim Bactrian camels, supporting further investigation into precision nutrition strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1957 KB  
Article
In Silico Multitarget Profiling of Non-Selective Beta-Blockers Highlights Their Potential as Key Agents in Breast Cancer Adjuvant Therapy via ADRB2, ERBB2, and NPYR Receptors
by Felipe Muñoz-González, José Correa-Basurto, Iván Ignacio-Mejia and Cindy Bandala
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(10), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47100789 - 23 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1277
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is associated with multiple molecular factors such as overexpression of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) and the overproduction of its agonists (norepinephrine and epinephrine). The role of adrenergic signaling in BC highlights the therapeutic potential of non-selective beta-blockers (nsBBs) as [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BC) is associated with multiple molecular factors such as overexpression of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) and the overproduction of its agonists (norepinephrine and epinephrine). The role of adrenergic signaling in BC highlights the therapeutic potential of non-selective beta-blockers (nsBBs) as inhibitors of well-established protumor signaling pathways related to ADRB2 and their possible affinity for other important protumoral receptors. Our aim was to identify how nsBBs currently prescribed may also interact with receptors other than ADRB2, which are related to the pathophysiology of BC, using bioinformatic intracellular pathway analysis (BIPA). Subsequently, the affinity of nsBBs for both ADRB2 and the targets identified by BIPA was evaluated. We found that, beyond ADRB2, both receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) and neuropeptide Y receptor (NPYR) are promising targets for nsBBs in the adjuvant treatment of BC, according to BIPA. Docking studies showed that the nsBB with the highest binding affinity (ΔG) was carvedilol (−10.5 kcal/mol), followed by propranolol (−8.5 kcal/mol). These in silico findings suggest previously unrecognized pharmacological mechanisms for nsBBs in the possible treatment for BC. Notably, differences in receptor affinity were observed among the nsBBs, with carvedilol exhibiting the strongest binding affinity values on ADRB2, ERBB2, and NPYR as biological targets against BC cells. These promising results require future experimental validation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 646 KB  
Review
Chronic Liver Disease Associated Cholangiocarcinoma: Genomic Insights and Precision Therapeutic Strategies
by Kyoko Oura, Asahiro Morishita, Mai Nakahara, Tomoko Tadokoro, Koji Fujita, Joji Tani, Tsutomu Masaki and Hideki Kobara
Cancers 2025, 17(18), 3052; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17183052 - 18 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4789
Abstract
Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy arising from the biliary epithelium, with an increasing incidence and poor prognosis worldwide. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have revealed a variety of genomic alterations―such as FGFR2 fusions, IDH1 mutations, and ERBB2 amplification―that may [...] Read more.
Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy arising from the biliary epithelium, with an increasing incidence and poor prognosis worldwide. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have revealed a variety of genomic alterations―such as FGFR2 fusions, IDH1 mutations, and ERBB2 amplification―that may serve as therapeutic targets. However, the influence of underlying etiologic factors, including chronic liver and biliary diseases, on the molecular landscape of CCA remains unclear. Objective: This review aimed to synthesize the current knowledge on the genomic and molecular alterations of CCA in the context of diverse etiologic factors, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), and liver fluke infection. Main findings: Certain backgrounds, such as PSC and liver fluke infection, are associated with distinct molecular signatures (e.g., TP53, SMAD4, KRAS, and ERBB2 alterations), whereas others, such as MASLD or ALD, show limited and inconsistent genomic data. Targetable alterations―including FGFR2 fusions, IDH1 mutations, and ERBB2 amplification―are heterogeneously distributed across etiologies and anatomical subtypes. Molecular targeted therapies such as FGFR and IDH1 inhibitors have shown clinical benefits in selected patients. Conclusions: A better understanding of how chronic liver and biliary diseases shape the genomic landscape of CCA will inform the development of personalized treatments, surveillance strategies, and preventive approaches. Large-scale etiology-stratified genomic studies integrating multiomics and real-world clinical data are urgently needed to advance precision oncology in CCA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Liver Inflammation and Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary Cancers (HPBCs))
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop