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Journal of Translational Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Melanoma | Research

PRAME promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in triple negative breast cancer

Authors: Ghaneya Al-Khadairi, Adviti Naik, Remy Thomas, Boshra Al-Sulaiti, Shaheen Rizly, Julie Decock

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

The triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) paradox marks a major challenge in the treatment-decision making process. TNBC patients generally respond better to neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to other breast cancer patients; however, they have a substantial higher risk of disease recurrence. We evaluated the expression of the tumor-associated antigen PReferentially Antigen expressed in MElanoma (PRAME) as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer and explored its role in cell migration and invasion, key hallmarks of progressive and metastatic disease.

Methods

TCGA and GTeX datasets were interrogated to assess the expression of PRAME in relation to overall and disease-free survival. The role of PRAME in cell migration and invasion was investigated using gain- and loss-of-function TNBC cell line models.

Results

We show that PRAME promotes migration and invasion of TNBC cells through changes in expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and ZEB1, core markers of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Mechanistic analysis of PRAME-overexpressing cells showed an upregulation of 11 genes (SNAI1, TCF4, TWIST1, FOXC2, IL1RN, MMP2, SOX10, WNT11, MMP3, PDGFRB, and JAG1) and downregulation of 2 genes (BMP7 and TSPAN13). Gene ontology analyses revealed enrichment of genes that are dysregulated in ovarian and esophageal cancer and are involved in transcription and apoptosis. In line with this, interrogation of TCGA and GTEx data demonstrated an increased PRAME expression in ovarian and esophageal tumor tissues in addition to breast tumors where it is associated with worse survival.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that PRAME plays a tumor-promoting role in triple negative breast cancer by increasing cancer cell motility through EMT-gene reprogramming. Therefore, PRAME could serve as a prognostic biomarker and/or therapeutic target in TNBC.

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Title: PRAME promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Ghaneya Al-Khadairi
Adviti Naik
Remy Thomas
Boshra Al-Sulaiti
Shaheen Rizly
Julie Decock
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Melanoma
Melanoma
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-018-1757-3

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Abstract

Background

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Conclusions

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