Integration of Genomic, Biologic, and Chemical Approaches to Target p53 Loss and Gain-of-Function in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Abstract
This is the third annual progress report for DoD Award W81XWH-13-1-0287 / BC123219, investigating biochemical states resulting from alterations in the p53 signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Development of therapies for TNBC is a clinical and scientific challenge due to the heterogeneity of the disease and the lack of recurrent, drug-targetable molecular alterations. Our research focuses on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, which is altered in the majority of TNBC cases and produces two adaptive states: loss of function (LOF) of wild-type p53 through mutation, gene silencing, or amplification of negative p53 regulators, and gain of function (GOF) displayed by some hotspot p53 mutant proteins that accumulate to high levels within the cell and drive oncogenic phenotypes including growth, migration, and drug resistance. We hypothesize that targeting these adaptive biochemical states will provide candidate therapeutic targets for a large fraction of TNBC, a cancer for which there are no molecular targets to date. We are pursuing two specific aims: 1) to identify which signaling pathways, in either adaptive state, are required for TNBC cell viability, and 2) to test validated targets for druggability by fragment-based screening and develop small molecular inhibitors against targets that are both valid and druggable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1027670
Entities
People
- Jennifer A. Pietenpol
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine