Dasatinib is synergistic with cetuximab and cisplatin in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Abstract

BackgroundPatients presenting with triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have a poorer prognosis compared with those with other subtypes of breast cancer. The majority of TNBCs overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, EGFR inhibition as a monotherapy, as with the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, is ineffective. Src family tyrosine kinases play a critical role in signal transduction downstream of growth factor receptors and are involved in the development of EGFR inhibitor resistance. We hypothesize that dasatinib, an Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may help overcome EGFR resistance to cetuximab, and in combination with cisplatin may enhance growth inhibition and apoptosis and reduce metastatic potential. MethodsGrowth inhibition, apoptosis, cell migration and invasion, and effects on EGFR, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation were examined in a panel of breast cancer cell lines, including seven TNBC cell lines. ResultsSix out of seven TNBC cell lines demonstrated a synergistic interaction using the triple-drug combination, compared with only two TNBC cell lines with the cisplatin and cetuximab combination. An induction of apoptosis and decrease in EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, and thus resensitization to EGFR inhibition, was observed using the three-drug treatment regimen. A significant reduction (P < 0.001) in tumor cell migration and invasion was also found following dasatinib treatment alone or in combination. ConclusionsThese findings may have important clinical implications in treating TNBC patients whose tumors co-overexpress both EGFR and c-Src. Identification of this subset of patients may be beneficial in the design of a clinical trial using this treatment regimen.