The Long Reach of the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Pathway

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Cancer Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2024 | Viewed by 986

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Interests: cell cycle control in cancer as a therapeutic target; RB-tumor suppressor pathway in the progression of cancer Breast cancer and Pancreatic cancer genetics; defining rationally targeted therapeutic interventions for clinical use

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Interests: understanding molecular mechanisms underlying tumor suppression mediated by the RB1 and TP53 genes; identifying genes involved in prostate cancer metastasis

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Guest Editor
Center for Personalized Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Interests: intersection of tumor genetics with biological features of cancer

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Guest Editor
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Interests: elucidation of the Retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor protein function; study of the cell cycle and RB mediated chromatin organization; investigation of the mechanisms of action of CDK inhibitors in cancer therapy; defining therapeutic targets for patients who developed resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The conventional retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB) pathway was defined over 25 years ago. While the subject has been intensely studied and plays a well-established role in cell cycle control, the biological impact of the RB-pathway has continued to expand. Recent studies have illustrated roles for RB in a spectrum of diverse, context-selective biology including cancer lineage states, metabolic programs, and immune responses. These findings have induced a re-appraisal of the mechanisms through which RB functions control gene expression beyond E2F transcription factors. Furthermore, it has become clear that the RB-pathway is a key determinant of tumor progression and therapeutic response. While CDK4/6 inhibitors directly impinge on RB, complex regulatory networks involving the RB-pathway are relevant for therapeutic responses or the emergence of acquired resistance in a number of distinct contexts.

This Special Issue explores new findings related to the breadth of the RB-pathway in tumor biology and therapy.

Prof. Dr. Erik Knudsen
Dr. David W. Goodrich
Dr. Agnieszka Witkiewicz
Dr. Ioannis Sanidas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • RB1
  • E2F
  • lineage-plasticity
  • CDK4/6
  • Cyclin
  • metabolism
  • chromatin
  • CDK inhibitors
  • senescence

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1967 KiB  
Article
Real-World Experience among Elderly Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with CDK4/6 Inhibitor-Based Therapy
by Thomas N. O’Connor, Emily Schultz, Jianxin Wang, Tracey O’Connor, Ellis Levine, Erik S. Knudsen and Agnieszka K. Witkiewicz
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091749 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 615
Abstract
The largest portion of breast cancer patients diagnosed after 70 years of age present with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer subtypes. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor treatment, in conjunction with endocrine therapy, has become standard-of-care for metastatic HR+ breast cancer. In total, 320 [...] Read more.
The largest portion of breast cancer patients diagnosed after 70 years of age present with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer subtypes. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor treatment, in conjunction with endocrine therapy, has become standard-of-care for metastatic HR+ breast cancer. In total, 320 patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving CDK4/6 inhibitor combined with fulvestrant or an aromatase inhibitor were enrolled in an ongoing observational study or were included in an IRB-approved retrospective study. All patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitor-based therapy that were ≥70 years of age (n = 111) displayed prolonged progression-free survival (27.6 months) as compared to patients <70 years of age (n = 209, 21.1 months, HR = 1.38, p < 0.05). Specifically, patients receiving a CDK4/6 inhibitor with an aromatase inhibitor who were ≥70 years of age (n = 79) displayed exceptionally prolonged progression-free survival (46.0 months) as compared to patients receiving the same treatment who were <70 years of age (n = 161, 21.8 months, HR = 1.71, p < 0.01). However, patients ≥70 years of age also experienced more frequent adverse responses to CDK4/6 inhibitor-based treatment leading to dose reduction, hold, or discontinuation than the younger cohort (69% and 53%, respectively). Treatment strategies that may decrease toxicity without affecting efficacy (such as dose titration) are worth further exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Long Reach of the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Pathway)
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