Proceedings of Oncobiology Symposiums
Proceedings of XIV Oncobiology Symposium

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women in Brazil and worldwide. In the years 2020-2022, it is estimated that 66,280 new cases of breast cancer will appear each year in Brazil. Amplification of HER2 in breast cancer is seen in about 20% of these cases and correlates with reduced disease-free survival and overall survival. Her-2 protein belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) receptor family, linked to the tyrosine kinase receptor superfamily. Interactions between the intracellular medium and the extracellular matrix are important for determining cell morphology, growth and differentiation. These interactions are due in part by action of integrins, transmembrane glycoproteins which constitute a large family of heterodimers responsible for modulating signals of proliferation, adhesion, motility and cellular polarity. Integrins and receptors of the EGFR family display a cooperative signaling network in tumor formation, which is a common feature of invasive cancer cells. One of the monoclonal antibodies approved to inhibit this type of tumor, Trastuzumab, is widely used in the clinic, however, 70% of patients acquire resistance throughout the treatment. The analysis of the proteomic profile of these treated and untreated breast tumors can provide a more in-depth knowledge about the resistance mechanisms, thus enabling the development of new, more effective therapies for the treatment of these patients. Here, we investigate the differences in the proteomic profiles of the cell line HCC-1954 treated and untreated by trastuzumab. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used cell viability analysis, in gel hydrolysis of proteins, analysis by mass spectrometry and Western blot, in addition to in silico studies using the online tools Mascot, String and Panther. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cell viability assays showed the resistance of the HCC1954 cell line to treatment with Trastuzumab in different concentrations. Protein classification in GO highlighted the integrin signaling pathway, presenting proteins related to migratory processes such as Transforming protein RhoA, Cell division control protein 42 and Integrin β-1 in the treated cell , while in the untreated cell, proteins of the actin family were identified. It also highlights the difference in the constitution of exclusive proteins from untreated and treated cells classified in the Wnt, CCKR, Ras and Cadherin signaling pathways. The String network showed the interactions between uniquely identified proteins and the Her-2 receptor in cells with and without Trastuzumab. Western blot results suggest an increase in the intensity of β1 integrin in the HCC-1954 (resistant) cell line and a decrease in intensity in the BT-474 (sensitive) cell line after treatment with trastuzumab. The results suggest that the integrin signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms of resistance to the treatment with Trastuzumab, more studies are needed to confirm these results.